Shevlin Park Fire Evacuation info

There is a LEVEL 1 pre-evacuation notice to the Three Pines and Shevlin subdivisions on both sides of Shevlin Park, west of McClain.

 

Wildfire Evacuation Levels Explained

Level 1: Be Ready

There is an incident in the area. Residents are advised of the level 1 evacuation and are asked to leave if they need additional time to exit an area or have health conditions (especially respiratory conditions that could be made worse by smoke). Residents are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area, and to prepare for a full evacuation. Evacuations are voluntary, but residents are encouraged to leave if concerned. There will be no road closures in effect in most cases.

Level 2: Leave Soon

Residents are notified there is a full evacuation and are informed to leave. Evacuations are mandatory and entry to evacuated areas may be denied. Residents are encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.

Level 3: Leave Immediately!

Residents are notified there is immediate and imminent danger, and they should evacuate immediately. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. Leave immediately and as quickly as possible. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

 

Ready, Set, Go!

Don’t let the first time you educate yourself on wildland fire be in the aftermath. Join with us and be a part of Ready, Set, Go! Ready, Set, Go! is designed to teach individuals how to best prepare themselves and their properties against nature’s threats, and how to be best prepared to evacuate.

The Ready, Set, Go! initiative is a three step process, or action plan, to prepare properties long before a fire is upon you; get set to depart from ones home; and to understand the role of evacuation in our area. The initiative significantly increases the safety of the homeowner and family. Not to mention, it allows the firefighters to best do their job of extinguishing the fire, thus increasing the chance of saving homes and loved ones.

Ready

Make a list of your 5P’s: People, Pets, Pills, Photos and important Papers.Shut off natural gas and propane.Place metal (not wooden) ladders against the side of your house.If time permits, remove combustibles (patio furniture, firewood, etc.) within 30 feet of your home.If you have sprinklers (with adequate water supply), place them around your home, connected and ready to be turned on.Put on any protective clothing and gear you are not already wearing.Close windows and doors to the house to prevent sparks and embers from blowing inside. Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft.Take down your drapes and curtains and close all blinds to deflect heat.Leave exterior and interior lights on to offer visibility to responders.Fill all bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water to deflect heat.

Set

Take a deep breath and remember your plan. Lives always take priority over property.Face your car toward the street and close all windows. Keep the keys handy.Load your 5P’s into the car.Wear protective clothing made of natural fabrics such as heavy denim, cotton, and pure wool to shield you from heat, embers and flames. Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, hat, and a handkerchief. Have thick canvas or leather gloves, and light-colored goggles on ready.As you leave, post a visible form of notification that identifies that you have evacuated. Hang a white cloth at the end of your driveway. If you have time, write “evacuated” on it.

Go!

Tune in to the local news radio station and listen for instructions.Obey orders of law enforcement and fire department officials.Follow the emergency instructions regarding evacuation routes. Your normal route may not be the safest.Drive with your headlights on for visibility and safety.Do not block access to roadways for emergency vehicles or other evacuees.Do not abandon vehicles on the roadway.Do not stop to let pets have a break.Drive calmly, obey the rules of the road and pay special attention to fire trucks.

The Ready, Set, Go! Program is the result of a nationwide discussion on how to protect homes and lives in what the fire service calls the Wildland-Urban-Interface – where development meets natural vegetation – and the Ember Zone, an area where the wind driven ember fallout from a wildland fire can threaten property and lives. The program was developed for national roll out by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) with support from US Forest Service, US Fire Administration, Department of the Interior, Firewise and The Insurance Institute for Home Business Safety (IBHS).

For more information on the Ready, Set, Go! initiative please visit http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/. ##