Tips for evacuees

On Wednesday, CalFire released tips for evacuees returning home after a wildfire. If a resident finds a gas leak, damaged utility equipment, or any more fire, call 911, or report to your local agency. Here are more tips:

Check for embers in the attic, which may have entered through vents.

Before turning electricity on, make sure all appliances are turned off. You may turn on the main circuit breaker once you confirm there is no damage to your building and the meter does not have any visible damage.

Check if the phone is working.

Check if security system and alarms are working.

Use flashlights to help inspect your home and surrounding area.

Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if they are still smoking, should be considered hazardous.

Smoldering holes in the ground can be full of hot coals.

White ash is evidence of hot material.

Trees, brush, and rocks may be weakened or loosened by fire. Trees and brush may lose limbs or fall, and if rocks rolled down a slope, expect more to follow.

Clear debris to the edge of your driveway and remove later.

Check for hot embers in rain gutters, on the roof, under overhangs, and in wood piles.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, go online: ReadyFor Wildfire.org.