Here's What to Do If You Are Under a Fire Evacuation Order: Prep, Packing and More

Mar. 15, 2025

Fire burns in the Palisades neighborhood of Southern California on Jan. 7.Photo:Mario Tama/Getty

Mario Tama/Getty

Multiple wildfiresare raging across parts of the Los Angeles area, and thousands of Southern Californians have been ordered to evacuate their homes.Since the fires began burning on Tuesday, Jan. 7, over 11,000 acres have been engulfed in flames between the Santa Monica and Malibu areas. More than 30,000 people have evacuated their homes in L.A. County, and two people are confirmed to have died during the blazes.

Before the fires began, the National Weather Service issued itshighest alert for extreme fire conditions— citing widespread wind gusts of up to 100 mph, along with downed trees, power outages, low humidity and large amounts of dry vegetation — in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.Anyone who is under an evacuation order are advised to leave their homes as quickly as possible. If you are not under an order, but feel unsafe, it’s also best to evacuate.

A map of areas under evacuation for the Los Angeles fires.Cal Fire

Cal Fire

However, if you haven’t been told to evacuate and are looking for ways to prepare — here are some things you can do in the meantime.

What are some of the first steps you can take to be prepared?

Firefighters fight flames from the fires in Los Angeles.Apu Gomes/Getty

Apu Gomes/Getty

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known asCal Fire, recommends that each member of a household and family have a wildfire action plan that everyone is aware of.

Residents should designate a safe meeting location for household members, identify potential escape routes, including knowing which highway routes are open and safe to use, as well as making arrangements for pets and livestock.Additionally, they should establish afamily communication planthat includes a designated contact person outside the affected area in case local phone lines are disrupted.

Cal Fire names the ‘6 P’s of Evacuation’ as things residents should strive to be hyper-aware of in the event an evacuation is necessary:

Officials advise that residents also consider making evacuation plans for frequented spaces such as their office, child’s daycare center and schools.

Where can you go?

Firefighters fight flames engulfing a house in Pacific Palisades, CA on Jan. 7, 2025.DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty

Residents should stay aware ofroad closuresto plan safe and effective evacuation routes properly.The Los Angeles Fire Department has established evacuation centers at the following locations for those fleeing the fires:

Cal Fire also has a list ofanimal evacuation sheltersavailable on its website.

What should you pack?

A man walks down a street as flames from the Palisades Fire burn a hillside in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.Eric Thayer/Getty

Eric Thayer/Getty

In the event of an evacuation order, Cal Fire recommends that individuals have a"go-bag"prepped and ready to go with these essentials:

If time allows, Cal Fire also recommends that residents grab easily carried valuables, family photos, and other irreplaceable items, as well as personal computer information on hard drives and disks and extra cell phone chargers and laptops.

What should you do if you are trapped?

A woman leaves her Sunset Boulevard apartment during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty

Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty

If you’re escaping on foot, move to a clear area — like a ditch or flat ground — and lie face down while covering your body.

If possible, the department advises calling 911 in the above scenarios.

source: people.com