Tips and strategies to cope with wildfires and natural disasters   

Changing climate conditions including rising temperatures, drought conditions, dry vegetation and occasional rainstorms are all contributing to wildfires and flooding in California.

EAP is here to provide compassionate, caring support to those affected by these fires. Call EAP or read more about available resources to assist you and your family. 

Support for Wildfires and Natural Disasters

EAP Resources for Wildfires for Employees
EAP Resources for Wildfires for Managers
Natural Disaster Resource Guide

California Resources

• Wildfire is coming - Are you Ready? View website https://www.readyforwildfire.org/
• Evacuation Guide - View website https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/
• Animal Evacuation Tips - View website https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/animal-evacuation/ 
• Pre-Evacuation Preparation Steps - View website https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/pre-evacuation-preparation-steps/ 
• Returning Home After a Wildfire- View website https://www.readyforwildfire.org/post-wildfire/after-a-wildfire/ 
• Wildfire Information from Ready.gov - View website https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

Protecting your family and home from a wildfire
As a safety precaution, learn about your community’s risk for wildfires by contacting your local emergency management office, planning and zoning department or forestry office. In addition, the following safety tips may help: 

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home. Test them monthly and change batteries at least once a year. 
• Make sure all family members know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it. 
• Clean roofs and gutters regularly. Inspect chimneys at least twice a year and have them cleaned annually.  
• Clear flammable shrubs, leaves, dead limbs, and twigs within a 30 to 100 foot zone around your home and beneath porches and decks. Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. 
• Store flammable materials such as gasoline, oil, kerosene, turpentine, etc., in approved safety containers and away from the base of your home. 
• Maintain a garden hose that can reach all areas of your home and identify another outside water source such as a hydrant, swimming pool, pond, etc., which can be utilized in case of fire. 
• Consider investing in protective shutters or fire-resistant drapes. 
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains: a first aid kit, an emergency cash fund, canned food and can opener, at least three gallons of water per person, a change of clothing and footwear, bedding and/or sleeping bags, a battery-powered radio and flashlights (including extra batteries) and any essential items for children, pets or elderly and/or disabled family members (medications, diapers, warm clothing, etc.). 
• Talk to your insurance agent to make sure that all of your insurance policies are up to date and contain adequate coverage. Keep insurance policies, photographs of your home and valuables, legal documents and other valuables in a safe deposit box or fireproof and waterproof container. 

When a wildfire threatens your community
If wildfires are threatening your community, listen regularly to your local radio or television stations for updated reports and evacuation information. In addition, take the following steps: 

• Create an emergency plan with your family and make sure you all understand it. Make plans for evacuation and care of pets as well. 
• Back your car into the garage or park it facing the route of escape. Close the garage and car doors and windows against smoke and disconnect automatic garage door openers (in case of power failure). 
• Stay inside and use an air conditioner, preferably with an air filter. 

If you are instructed to evacuate: 

• Do so immediately. Go to designated community shelter areas and, if possible, notify a relative or friend in another part of the country of your plans and your whereabouts.  
• Wear protective clothing (i.e., sturdy shoes, cotton or wool pants and long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to cover your face) to prevent burns. 
• Keep cell phones and/or two-way radios handy to communicate in case of emergency. 
• Close windows, doors, vents, blinds or non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes.  
• Turn off gas at the meter and pilot lights. 
• Open the fireplace damper and close fireplace screens. 
• Turn on lights in each room to make your house more visible through heavy smoke. 
• Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercially available seals. 
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps. Wet the roof and/or place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near fuel tanks. Move flammable patio furniture indoors. 

Dealing with a damaged or destroyed home 
When assessing the damage to your home, use extreme caution. Watch for hidden dangers: areas that are still hot, falling structures, sharp metal and other potential hazards. If you have insurance, make a detailed list of the damages and contact your insurance representative as soon as possible.  

Additional tips: 

• Consider hiring a reliable contractor to make repairs—but beware of frauds that prey on disaster victims.  
• Take pictures of the damage—both to the house and your possessions—for insurance purposes. 
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage from rain, wind or looting. 
• Keep all repair receipts for your insurance agent. 
• If you have to rebuild your home, check local building codes and ordinances to find out about fire-resistant designs and noncombustible materials that may help reduce the damaging effects of wildfires in the future.