Fire

"I smell smoke.  What should I do?"

1.  Look out  your window, go outside and/or drive around the neighborhood

2.  Check TV or radio for local news reports

3.  Monitor emergency websites:

• •  CHP Traffic  - (Change to Orange County in upper left corner box)

  • Weather Underground - local weather.

  • Current status of California fire incidents.

      (You can sign up to receive Orange County major incidents by email at this website:

          http://www.ocfa.org/Menu/AboutOCFA/SubscriptionSignup.aspx

4.  Call a Rancho Carrillo Volunteer Fire Department member.  (Above list)

How will I know if a forest fire is headed our way?

• You will smell smoke

  • You will receive a phone call. We have a One Call Now system in place with our residents' home and cell numbers.

  •    (Update your numbers with Nancy S,)

• Watch or listen to the local news.

  • Stay calm

  • Keep the roads and driveways clear for fire equipment.

  • Gather your valuables and 7 P's 

  •     People

  •     Pets

  •     Papers (important docs:  insurance papers, deeds, auto registration, passports, birth certificates, stock certificates)

  •     Prescriptions

  •     Plastic (credit cards/purse/wallet)

  •     PC  (or MAC, flash drive, hard drive)

  •     Photos & Treasures  (If you have time, take pictures of your home and belongings, inside and out)

• Load your escape vehicle and park it facing the exit.  Leave keys in the ignition.

• GO & GO EARLY -- Don't wait for evacuation orders

The fire is getting closer – I don't want to evacuate.  what can I do to help?

• • Close all windows and doors as well as inside doors.    Unlock doors.

  • Open the gate to your driveway   – disengage the motor

  • Turn on exterior lights

  • Close blinds and remove lightweight curtains.

  • Turn off propane at the tank.

  • Turn off the valves for lawn or tree watering sprinkling systems

  • Put all flammable lawn furniture in the house or garage.

  • Trim branches that are touching your house

  • Close garage doors and disable openers

  • Leave electricity on for lights and pumps.  Leave an outside light on.

  • Connect garden hoses so the firefighters can use them.

  • Place ladder against front of house.

  • If you leave a vehicle outside, park it away from the house, facing an exit  in an open area, leaving plenty of room for many emergency vehicles to enter your driveway; leave keys in ignition.  Close all windows.  If you leave a vehicle in the garage, leave keys in ignition.

  • Keep the access road to Ortega Highway clear so fire equipment can get up here.

  • Turn horses and farm animals out of the barn and/or take them to the fire station arena.  Close barn doors.  Do not let them run loose in the valley or the wilderness.

DON’T DO THESE THINGS:

• • Don’t Panic

  • Don’t hose down your house or trees with water unless there are flames touching it.   It will quickly evaporate and use up precious water.

  • Don’t drive your horse trailer down the hill.  It may prevent fire trucks from coming up.

  • Don’t let your horses run loose in the valley.  They are safer in a pasture or at the rec center’s arena.

• Don’t leave your animals in the house or barn.  Either take them with you in your car, lock them in an outside pen or let them run loose.

• Don't interfere with professionals and trained volunteers who are trying to do their job.

Where do I go?  What do I do?

• • BE SAFE!   Don’t put yourself or your family or your neighbors at risk.

  • You may choose to go to the Fire Station.   Use “Hooligan parking areas.”  Stay calm.  Offer to help or stay out of the way.

  • If you choose to leave Rancho Carrillo, leave a message at the Fire Station,  where you are going  and how you can be reached.   949-728-1343

  • In case of a quick evacuation – or if you are unable to get home to Rancho Carrillo, meet your neighbors in the parking lot of Ortega Center in front of Ballpark Pizza/Bravo Burger/Bad to the Bone  in San Juan Capistrano (or a designated Red Cross Shelter).  Call the RC Fire Department office for updates  - 949-728-1343.

  • You should have an out-of-state emergency contact. Instruct your family members to call that number if the local phone lines are jammed during an emergency. The out-of-state person can help your entire family to keep in touch with one another.

  • Rancho Carrillo has survived emergencies in the past. Make friends with your neighbors during good times, so that in case of emergencies, you will know who to call!

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