Understanding fire weather can give you valuable time to prepare before a wildfire starts.

A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a wildfire burning. It means weather and fuel conditions can contribute to rapid fire growth and make a wildfire more difficult to control if one starts.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, periods of critical fire weather are especially important because dry vegetation, wind, terrain, narrow roads, and limited evacuation routes can increase wildfire risk.

What Should You Do?

Think of a Red Flag Warning as a signal to move into a higher level of readiness.

• Charge phones, radios, and backup batteries.

• Make sure vehicles have adequate fuel or charge and are positioned so they can leave easily.

• Keep go-bags and important medications accessible.

• Know where your pets are and have carriers, leashes, and animal evacuation supplies ready.

• Review your evacuation zone and possible routes.

• Keep your phone nearby and make sure emergency alerts can be heard, especially overnight.

• Keep shoes, glasses, medications, keys, and a flashlight where you can quickly reach them.

• Check on neighbors or family members who may need additional time or assistance.

This is also a good time to reduce unnecessary travel and pay closer attention to changing weather and fire conditions.

What Should You Avoid?

A Red Flag Warning is not the time to begin clearing dry vegetation.

Avoid or postpone activities that could create a spark, flame, or enough heat to ignite surrounding vegetation, including:

• Mowing or weed-whacking dry vegetation

• Using chainsaws, grinders, welders, or other spark-producing equipment

• Outdoor burning or unnecessary open flames

• Driving or parking on dry grass

• Allowing trailer safety chains or other metal objects to drag on the roadway

If it can create a spark, flame, or enough heat to ignite dry vegetation, postpone it when conditions are dangerous.

Stay Aware

Continue monitoring official weather information, emergency alerts, and local fire activity. Pay attention to changing conditions around you, including increasing wind, smoke, ash, falling embers, or unusual emergency vehicle activity.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean you need to evacuate simply because the warning has been issued. It means conditions warrant increased awareness and preparation.

Be more aware.
Be ready to leave.
Avoid creating an ignition.

If conditions around you become unsafe or you feel threatened by a wildfire, you do not need to wait for an Evacuation Order before leaving.

Understanding fire weather can give you valuable time to prepare before a wildfire starts.

A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a wildfire burning. It means weather and fuel conditions can contribute to rapid fire growth and make a wildfire more difficult to control if one starts.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, periods of critical fire weather are especially important because dry vegetation, wind, terrain, narrow roads, and limited evacuation routes can increase wildfire risk.

If you feel threatened by fire leave immediately! Do not wait for an evacuation order!

Immediate Evacuation Order: Requires the immediate movement of people out of an affected area due to an imminent threat to life. Choosing to stay could result in loss of life. Staying may also impede the work of emergency personnel. Due to the changing nature of the emergency, this immediate evacuation order may be the only warning that people in the affected area(s) receive.

Evacuation Warning: Alerts people in an affected area(s) of potential threat to life and property. People who need additional time should consider evacuating at this time. An Evacuation Warning considers the probability that an area will be affected and prepares people for potential Immediate Evacuation Order. 

Shelter in Place: Advises people to stay secure at their current location by remaining in place, as evacuation will cause a higher potential for loss of life. 

Rescue: Emergency actions taken within the affected area to recover and help injured or trapped citizens to leave the area. Entry into this area is restricted to workers, rescue workers only.

Prepare Before Evacuation

When elevated fire weather, a nearby wildfire, or changing conditions give you advance notice, use that time to prepare.

Taking action a day or several days ahead can reduce what you need to accomplish if an Evacuation Warning is later issued.

Review Your Evacuation Plan

Review your Emergency Plan, Emergency Contact List, Evacuation Zone, and Evacuation Routes with everyone in your household.

Make sure household members know what they will do if an evacuation occurs while you are separated.

Get Ready to Leave

Check your Go-Bags and Evacuation Countdown Lists and gather anything you would need to add at the last minute.

Keep vehicles fueled or adequately charged, locate your keys, and position vehicles so they can leave easily.

Prepare Your Animals

Review your Animal Evacuation Plan and make sure carriers, transportation, supplies, and backup assistance are ready.

Animals requiring additional time or special transportation should be prepared early.

Prepare Your Property

If conditions allow you to work safely:

• Remove leaves, needles, and combustible debris immediately around structures.

• Check decks, porches, stairs, and other areas where windblown debris collects.

• Clean gutters if it can be done safely.

• Move combustible outdoor furniture, cushions, doormats, and similar items away from structures or indoors.

• Move easily accessible firewood and other combustible materials farther from the home when practical.

• Make sure driveways, gates, and emergency access are clear.

Avoid mowing or weed-whacking dry vegetation or using equipment that can create sparks during dangerous fire weather.

Prepare for Power & Communication Outages

Charge phones, backup batteries, radios, flashlights, and other essential devices.

Make sure you have a working battery-powered or hand-crank radio and printed copies of important emergency information.

Stay Aware

Monitor CruzAware, Genasys Protect, local fire information, and changing weather conditions.

Pay attention to increasing wind, smoke, ash, falling embers, or emergency activity around you.

Know When Preparation Ends

As conditions become more urgent, your priorities should change.

Once an Evacuation Warning is issued, focus on people, animals, essential belongings, transportation, and being ready to leave.

If an Evacuation Order is issued, emergency officials tell you to leave, or you feel threatened by conditions around you, stop preparing and leave.

The work you do ahead of time gives you more options when time matters.

Evacuating with animals takes additional time and planning. During an emergency, pets may hide, become frightened, resist entering carriers, or behave differently than they normally do.

Prepare before an emergency so you are not trying to find animals, carriers, medications, transportation, and supplies when it is time to leave.

Have a Plan for Every Animal

Know in advance:

• Who is responsible for each animal?

• How will each animal be transported?

• Where are the carriers, crates, leashes, and other equipment?

• Where will you take your animals?

• Who can evacuate them if you are not home?

Identify at least one trusted neighbor, friend, or family member who knows your animals and can access your property if you are unavailable. Make sure that person knows where your animals and evacuation supplies are located, how to safely handle them, how to contact you, and where they should take the animals.

Keep Identification Current

Make it easier to reunite with an animal if you become separated.

• Microchip pets when appropriate and keep registration information current.

• Use secure collars and identification tags when appropriate.

• Keep licenses and vaccination information current.

• Include your phone number and an out-of-area contact.

• Keep recent photographs of each animal, including a photo of you together when possible.

• Keep copies of ownership, identification, vaccination, and medical records with your evacuation supplies and in a digital format.

Consider labeling carriers and evacuation supplies with your name and contact information.

Keep Carriers & Equipment Ready

Have an appropriate carrier, crate, cage, leash, halter, or other restraint for each animal.

Keep equipment accessible and ready to load. Pets that rarely use carriers should practice ahead of time. Practice calling animals indoors, putting on leashes or harnesses, placing animals in carriers, and loading them into your vehicle.

For birds and other small animals, make sure cages and carrier doors latch securely.

Prepare an Animal Evacuation Kit

Store animal supplies together in a dry, easy-to-reach container or bag that can be quickly loaded into your vehicle.

Food & Daily Care

• Three to seven days of food and water

• Food and water bowls

• Manual can opener, if needed

• Treats

• Cat litter, litter pan, and scoop

• Waste bags

• Bedding, towels, or a familiar comfort item

• Paper towels, trash bags, and basic cleaning supplies

Medications & Records

• Essential medications

• Written medication names and dosages

• Vaccination and veterinary records

• Information about allergies, disabilities, dietary needs, or behavioral concerns

• Microchip and license information

• Ownership information

• Recent photographs

• Veterinarian contact information

• Basic pet first-aid supplies recommended by your veterinarian

Transportation & Handling

• Carrier, crate, cage, or secure enclosure for each animal

• Leashes, collars, harnesses, and identification tags

• Towels or protective gloves for handling frightened animals

• Other equipment specifically needed to safely transport your animals

Label medications and supplies with the animal's name. Check your kit periodically and replace expired food, water, medications, and other supplies.

Know Where You Can Go

Do not assume every evacuation shelter, hotel, campground, boarding facility, or temporary lodging location will accept every type of animal.

Before wildfire season:

• Identify friends or relatives outside the immediate area who could accommodate you and your animals.

• Identify several pet-friendly lodging options.

• Ask veterinarians or boarding facilities about emergency arrangements.

• Plan for the particular needs of birds, rabbits, reptiles, poultry, and other animals.

• Keep more than one possible destination in mind.

During an emergency, follow Santa Cruz County information regarding available evacuation centers and animal sheltering resources. Locations and policies may vary depending on the incident.

Larger Animals & Livestock

Horses, goats, poultry, and other livestock require additional planning.

Determine ahead of time how animals will be transported, where trailers and equipment are located, how many trips may be necessary, and where the animals can safely be taken.

If you do not have adequate transportation, arrange potential assistance before an emergency occurs.

Large-animal evacuation takes time. Begin moving animals early enough to avoid loading and transporting them during dangerous fire conditions or heavy evacuation traffic.

Chickens & Other Small Livestock

Have appropriate ventilated crates or carriers available and know approximately how many animals each can safely transport.

Keep crates accessible and practice how you would gather and load the animals. Plan for temporary containment, food, and water at your destination.

When Fire Danger Increases

When wildfire conditions are elevated or an Evacuation Warning has been issued:

• Bring pets indoors or closer to the house.

• Keep animals that may hide in a closed, easy-to-access area.

• Put identification, collars, and harnesses on pets when appropriate.

• Move carriers, leashes, medications, and evacuation kits where they can be quickly loaded.

• Prepare livestock and transportation early.

• Keep your vehicle ready.

• Monitor official emergency information.

If you have animals that require additional time to gather, load, or transport, consider leaving during an Evacuation Warning or earlier if conditions make you feel unsafe.

When You Evacuate

Take your animals with you whenever it is safe to do so.

• Secure pets before opening exterior doors.

• Place cats, birds, and other small animals in appropriate carriers.

• Keep dogs leashed, harnessed, or secured in crates.

• Secure carriers and animals inside the vehicle.

• Bring medications, evacuation supplies, and important records.

• Follow official evacuation routes and instructions.

• Let your emergency contact know where you are going.

If You Aren't Home

Your evacuation plan should still work if you cannot return home.

Make sure your designated backup person knows:

• Where your animals are normally located

• How to access your property or home

• Where carriers, leashes, and evacuation supplies are stored

• How to safely handle and transport each animal

• How to contact you

• Where the animals should be taken

Never disregard emergency instructions or put yourself in danger by attempting to return to an evacuation area for an animal.

Santa Cruz County Animal Evacuation Resources

Emergency Planning for Your Pets

Santa Cruz County information about preparing pets for emergencies, developing an evacuation plan, and assembling emergency supplies.

Evacuation Preparedness for Animals

Santa Cruz County's animal evacuation preparedness guide.

Large Animal Preparedness & Evacuation

Santa Cruz County planning information for horses, livestock, and other large animals, including information about animal evacuation assistance.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter: Safe Keep Program

Information about temporary emergency boarding that may be available to Santa Cruz County residents when other options have been exhausted.

Emergency Shelter Information

During an active emergency, check Santa Cruz County's current shelter information for open locations and available animal accommodations. Shelter locations and services may change depending on the incident.

During an emergency, you may not have reliable access to your phone, internet, or cloud-based contacts. Create a written emergency contact list and keep copies with your go-bag, vehicle, and other important evacuation information.

Make sure everyone in your household knows where to find it.

What Should You Include?

Include contact information for:

• Household and immediate family members

• A trusted neighbor or nearby contact

• Your designated out-of-area emergency contact

• Anyone who may assist children, older adults, or other household members

• Your veterinarian and animal evacuation contacts

• Doctors, pharmacies, or other essential medical contacts

• Insurance company and policy contact information

• Property manager, landlord, or other important property contacts, if applicable

Include names, phone numbers, email addresses, and any other information you may need if you cannot access your phone.

Choose an Out-of-Area Contact

Designate a trusted friend or family member who lives outside the immediate area as your household's central emergency contact.

During a widespread emergency, family members may become separated or have difficulty reaching one another. Everyone in your household should know who this person is and how to contact them.

If family members cannot reach each other directly, your out-of-area contact can help relay information about where everyone is and whether they are safe.

Text When Calls Don't Go Through

During an emergency, cellular networks may become congested. A text message may sometimes get through when a voice call does not.

Keep messages short and useful:

“We evacuated. Everyone is safe. We are going to _____. I will update you when we arrive.”

Avoid unnecessary calls when communication systems are heavily impacted.

Plan for Your Animals & Property

Your emergency contacts should include anyone who may need to help if you are away from home when an evacuation occurs.

If a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member may evacuate your animals, make sure they know:

• How to reach you

• How to access your property

• Where animals and evacuation supplies are located

• Where the animals should be taken

Never ask someone to enter an area that is under an Evacuation Order or otherwise unsafe.

Keep Your List Current

Review your emergency contact list at least once a year and whenever important information changes.

Replace outdated phone numbers, contacts, medical information, and other details, and make sure your designated emergency contacts still understand the role you have asked them to fill.

Don't rely only on the contacts stored in your phone. 

Keep a printed copy where you can quickly take it with you.

An emergency may happen when everyone in your household is not at home. Family members may be at work, school, shopping, or traveling when an evacuation warning or order is issued.

Create a household emergency plan before you need it so everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to reconnect if you are separated.

Make Sure Everyone Knows the Plan

Everyone in your household should know:

• Your evacuation zone

• How to receive emergency alerts

• More than one way out of your neighborhood

• Where your go-bags and emergency supplies are located

• Who is responsible for pets or other animals

• Where you may go if you evacuate

• Who your out-of-area emergency contact is

• Where you will meet if you become separated

Include children, older adults, caregivers, and anyone else who regularly stays in your home when developing your plan.

Create a Family Communication Plan

Decide ahead of time how you will communicate if family members are separated.

Choose an out-of-area friend or relative to serve as your central emergency contact. Make sure everyone has that person's phone number and knows to check in with them if household members cannot reach one another directly.

During an emergency, text messages may sometimes get through when voice calls do not. Keep messages short and clear:

“We evacuated. Everyone is safe. We are going to _____. I will update you when we arrive.”

Keep important phone numbers on a printed Emergency Contact List as well as in your phone.

Decide Where You Will Meet

Choose more than one meeting location.

Identify a nearby meeting place for emergencies affecting only your home and another location outside your neighborhood or evacuation area for a larger emergency.

Make sure everyone knows where to go if they cannot safely return home.

Do not attempt to enter or return to an evacuation area simply to reunite with family members. Follow instructions from emergency officials and meet at your predetermined location when it is safe to do so.

Plan for Different Situations

Think through what happens if an evacuation begins when:

• Everyone is home

• Someone is at work or school

• One person is away from the area

• Children or older family members are home with someone else

• You cannot reach another household member

• Your normal evacuation route is unavailable

• Cellular or internet service is disrupted

• You cannot return home

• An evacuation lasts overnight or for several days

Having these conversations beforehand reduces the number of decisions you will need to make during an emergency.

Include Your Animals

Decide who is responsible for each animal and who can help if you are away from home.

Your backup person should know how to access your property, safely handle your animals, locate carriers and evacuation supplies, and where the animals should be taken.

Visit our Preparing Your Animals for Evacuation section for additional planning information.

Consider Individual Needs

Your plan should account for anyone who may need additional time or assistance, including older adults, young children, people with disabilities or mobility limitations, and household members who rely on medications or medical equipment.

Consider transportation needs, medications, mobility equipment, backup power requirements, and who will provide assistance if the primary caregiver is unavailable.

Practice Your Plan

An emergency plan is more useful when everyone has practiced it.

Periodically review how you would:

• Gather household members and animals

• Load your vehicle

• Access your go-bags and important documents

• Leave using an alternate route

• Contact your out-of-area emergency contact

• Reach your predetermined meeting location

You do not need to wait for an emergency to discover that something in your plan does not work.

Review Your Plan Annually

Households change. Phone numbers change. Pets, medications, vehicles, workplaces, and family circumstances change.

Review your emergency plan at least once a year and update it whenever something significant changes.

Know your plan. Make sure everyone in your household knows it. Practice it before you need it.

Build Your Go-Bag

A go-bag contains the essential items you may need if you have to leave home quickly. It should be packed ahead of time, easy to carry, and stored where you can grab it on your way out.

There is no single go-bag list that works for everyone. Start with the basics, then build your bag around the needs of your household.

Start With the Basics

Consider including:

• Identification and copies of important documents

• Essential medications

• Eyeglasses or contact lens supplies

• Phone charger and backup battery

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

• Basic first-aid supplies

• Water

• Ready-to-eat food and snacks

• Change of clothing and sturdy footwear

• Personal hygiene items

• N95 masks

• Cash in small denominations

• Spare keys

• Printed emergency contact information

• Paper map

• Pen and small notepad

Keep important documents protected from water and consider maintaining secure digital copies as well.

Build Your Bag Around Your Household

The basic list is only a starting point.

Think about who you are responsible for and what they would need if you could not return home for several days.

Your household may include:

• Children

• Older adults

• Someone with mobility or accessibility needs

• Someone who depends on medication, medical supplies, or medical equipment

• Someone with dietary or communication needs

• Pets or other animals

Rather than relying on a generic checklist, walk through an ordinary day and ask: What does each person depend on that we could not easily replace if we had to leave right now?

Add those items, or a reminder to grab them, to your household's plan.

Consider What Cannot Stay Packed

Some essential items cannot permanently live in a go-bag.

Medications, phones, eyeglasses, medical equipment, wallets, and other everyday necessities may need to be added when you leave.

Create a short last-minute list and keep it with your go-bag so you do not have to rely on memory during an emergency.

Your Evacuation Countdown Lists can also help identify which items should be gathered when additional preparation time is available.

Make It Easy to Grab

A go-bag is only useful if you can find and carry it.

Store it somewhere accessible and known to everyone in your household. Avoid putting it behind stored belongings or somewhere that could be difficult to reach during an emergency.

Consider whether one large bag actually makes sense for your household. Several smaller bags may be easier to carry and allow responsibilities to be divided among household members.

Don't Forget the Vehicle

Some emergency supplies may make more sense stored in your vehicle rather than carried in your go-bag.

Water, additional clothing, blankets, sturdy shoes, maps, basic tools, and other larger supplies can supplement what you carry.

Your go-bag should focus on the things you need to grab and leave, not everything you might possibly need during an extended emergency.

Review It Regularly

Check your go-bag at least once a year and whenever your household circumstances change.

Replace expired food, medications, batteries, and other supplies. Update documents, contact information, clothing sizes, and personal necessities.

As your household changes, your go-bag should change with it.

Create Your Own Go-Bag

Use the basic list as a starting point, then create a go-bag that reflects your household, your needs, and the people who depend on you.

Ask yourself:

What must we have if we leave in five minutes?

What do we use every day that cannot stay packed?

Who in our household needs additional supplies or assistance?

What would be difficult to replace if we could not return home?

Can everyone responsible for leaving find and carry what they need?

A well-prepared go-bag isn't the one with the longest checklist. It's the one that contains what your household will actually need.

Not every emergency supply belongs in your go-bag. Organizing supplies by purpose can make it easier to find, carry, and use what you need during an evacuation.

Think about where you will need an item and what you will need it to do.

Build a Car Kit

Keep useful emergency supplies in each vehicle that may be used during an evacuation.

Start with basics such as:

• Paper road maps

• Phone charging equipment and backup power

• Drinking water

• Nonperishable snacks

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Sturdy shoes

• Protective clothing

• N95 masks

• Basic first-aid supplies

• Blanket or warm layer

• Work gloves

• Basic vehicle emergency equipment

Consider the conditions where you live and travel. Your vehicle kit may need to account for heat, cold, poor air quality, road closures, extended traffic delays, or the possibility that you cannot immediately reach your planned destination.

Check vehicle supplies periodically and replace expired food, water, batteries, and other items as necessary.

Prepare an IFAK

An IFAK, or Individual First Aid Kit, keeps essential first-aid supplies immediately accessible.

It does not need to contain every medical supply you own. Build your kit around the supplies you know how to use.

An IFAK may include supplies for:

• Controlling bleeding

• Covering and protecting wounds

• Minor injuries

• Personal protective equipment

Keep the kit somewhere you can reach quickly rather than buried underneath other evacuation supplies.

Consider taking basic first-aid, CPR, or bleeding-control training. Having medical supplies is most useful when you are comfortable using them.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

Your emergency supply kit is different from your go-bag. It is intended to support you after you have safely evacuated and may need to remain away from home for several days.

Consider supplies for:

• Food and water

• Medications and medical needs

• Clothing and warmth

• Lighting and backup power

• Personal hygiene and sanitation

• Communication

• Important household needs

• Other necessities specific to your family

Just as with your go-bag, there is no single list that works for every household. Consider children, older adults, medical or accessibility needs, dietary requirements, animals, and anyone else who depends on you.

Your emergency supplies also need to be realistic. Ask yourself whether you can find them, carry them, fit them into your vehicle, and use them when you need them.

Give Each Kit a Job

Go-bag: gets you out.

Car kit: supports you on the road.

IFAK: handles immediate first aid.

Emergency supply kit: supports you after evacuation.

How much time would you need to leave your home?

During a wildfire, you may have an hour to prepare, or you may need to leave immediately. An Evacuation Countdown List helps you decide in advance what to do based on the amount of time safely available.

Prepare your lists before an emergency so you are not trying to decide what matters most while under pressure.

These are preparation lists, not a reason to delay evacuation. If an Evacuation Order is issued, conditions are threatening, or emergency officials tell you to leave, leave immediately.

5 Minutes or Less

If you need to leave immediately, focus on people, animals, medications, communication, and getting safely out.

If they are immediately accessible:

• Gather everyone in the household.

• Secure and load pets.

• Take essential medications.

• Take phones, keys, wallets, identification, and glasses.

• Grab go-bags that are already packed and accessible.

• Take necessary mobility or medical equipment.

• Leave using the route directed by emergency officials.

Do not spend valuable evacuation time searching for replaceable belongings.

15 Minutes

If conditions are safe and you have additional time, complete the immediate actions above, then consider:

• Load animal evacuation supplies.

• Gather essential documents if they are not already in your go-bag.

• Take phone chargers and backup batteries.

• Put on protective clothing and sturdy footwear.

• Contact household members and your designated emergency contact.

• Confirm where you are going.

• Close windows and doors as you leave.

Remain alert to changing conditions. Fifteen minutes can quickly become five.

30 Minutes

If you have more time and conditions remain safe, complete the higher-priority actions first, then consider:

• Load additional food, water, medications, and emergency supplies.

• Prepare animals that require additional time.

• Move easily accessible combustible items away from the immediate area around the home.

• Bring lightweight outdoor furniture, cushions, doormats, and similar items inside when practical.

• Check that vehicles are positioned and ready to leave.

• Check on household members or neighbors who may need assistance.

Do not begin major property-clearing projects or other work that could delay your departure.

60 Minutes or More

If you have additional preparation time, continue working from the highest-priority items down.

Depending on conditions, you may be able to:

• Load additional emergency supplies and personal necessities.

• Prepare for the possibility of being away for several days.

• Relocate livestock or other animals that require additional transportation time.

• Secure outdoor items that could burn or create hazards.

• Check your property for obvious conditions that can be safely corrected.

• Review current emergency information and evacuation routes.

• Tell your emergency contact where you plan to go.

Continue monitoring conditions while you prepare. Do not assume that having an hour means you will still have an hour.

Create Your Own Countdown Lists

Every household is different. Your priorities may depend on children, older adults, pets, livestock, medications, mobility needs, your property, and how long it takes you to load and leave.

Walk through your home and property and create your own:

5-Minute List — What must happen before we can leave?

15-Minute List — What should we do if we safely have a little more time?

30-Minute List — What additional preparations are worthwhile?

60-Minute List — What can we safely accomplish if we have significant advance warning?

Keep copies with your emergency plan and go-bags where everyone in the household can find them.

Leave When Conditions Tell You To Leave

An Evacuation Countdown List should help you leave more efficiently, not stay longer.

Conditions can change rapidly. Smoke, wind, fire behavior, falling embers, road closures, or instructions from emergency officials can immediately change your available preparation time.

• KBCZ — 89.3 FM

• KPIG — 107.5 FM

• KION — 101.1 FM / 1460 AM

• KSCO — 104.1 FM / 1080 AM

• KSFO — 810 AM

Stay Informed by Radio

During a wildfire or other emergency, power, internet, and cellular service may be disrupted. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank AM/FM radio with your emergency supplies as an additional way to receive local information.

Become familiar with local stations before an emergency and keep their frequencies written down with your evacuation information. Reception can vary throughout the San Lorenzo Valley, so having several stations available gives you more options when other communication systems are limited.

Driving During a Wildfire Evacuation

Nina Terrace is located on a ridge with one primary road out of the community. During a wildfire evacuation, residents may be directed downhill even when smoke, flames, or fire activity are visible in that direction.

This can feel counterintuitive and frightening.

Emergency personnel are making evacuation decisions based on information you may not have, including current fire behavior, road conditions, available escape routes, incoming emergency equipment, and where conditions are expected to change.

Follow the evacuation route and directions given by fire and law enforcement officials, even when they differ from the route or direction you would normally choose.

If You Are Directed Downhill

Seeing smoke or fire in the direction you are being sent does not necessarily mean the road is impassable.

If emergency officials have directed traffic down the hill:

• Stay calm and follow their instructions.

• Stay on the designated paved roadway.

• Drive slowly and defensively.

• Turn on your headlights.

• Keep windows closed.

• Wear your seat belt.

• Watch carefully for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, debris, and other hazards.

• Maintain adequate distance from the vehicle ahead.

• Do not stop unnecessarily to photograph or observe the fire.

• Do not turn around unless directed to do so.

• Do not attempt to create your own evacuation route using trails, private roads, or fire roads.

Conditions may look very different farther down the road than they do from the ridge.

If Traffic Slows or Stops

Traffic congestion is possible during an evacuation. Stay calm and remain with the evacuation flow.

Do not automatically abandon your vehicle because traffic has stopped or because fire conditions are visible nearby.

Remain alert for instructions from emergency personnel and avoid blocking the roadway or access needed by responding fire equipment.

If conditions deteriorate to the point that you can no longer evacuate safely, refer to the If You Become Trapped During a Wildfire guidance.

Leave Early

For a community with limited access, leaving early is especially important.

Leaving before conditions become severe can reduce your exposure to smoke, fire activity, emergency traffic, and congestion on the road out.

Residents who need additional time because of animals, mobility needs, medical needs, or other circumstances should plan accordingly and consider leaving earlier when conditions warrant.

Know the Road Before an Emergency

Although Nina Terrace has limited access, residents should still become familiar with the roads and possible routes beyond our neighborhood.

Once you reach the main road, emergency officials may direct you differently depending on the location and movement of the fire.

Keep a paper road map in your vehicle and become familiar with alternate routes through the San Lorenzo Valley before you need them.

Additional Evacuation & Driving Resources

Wildfire conditions are unpredictable, and no single evacuation route or driving recommendation will apply to every incident. The following resources provide additional information about evacuation planning, local procedures, and driving during wildfire conditions.

Boulder Creek Fire Protection District

Start local. BCFD provides wildfire evacuation and preparedness guidance specifically for residents of the Boulder Creek Fire Protection District, including information about evacuation routes, traffic, and following directions from emergency personnel.

BCFD Wildfire Evacuation & Preparedness Guide

Santa Cruz County OR3

Santa Cruz County's Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience provides information about preparing for an evacuation, Evacuation Warnings and Orders, emergency notifications, and what to expect during an evacuation.

Santa Cruz County Evacuation Information

Fire Safe Marin

Fire Safe Marin provides additional practical guidance about driving during a wildfire evacuation, including limited-access neighborhoods, low visibility, fire near the roadway, stopped traffic, blocked roads, and what to do when there is only one way out.

While this guidance was developed for Marin County, many of the driving considerations are relevant to communities like ours with narrow roads, mountainous terrain, and limited access.

Fire Safe Marin: How to Evacuate

Remember: During an actual emergency, always follow the evacuation route and instructions provided by fire and law enforcement officials. Current conditions determine the safest way out.

If You Become Trapped During a Wildfire

The safest wildfire strategy is to prepare early and evacuate before conditions become dangerous. However, wildfire conditions can change quickly. Roads may become blocked, fire behavior may change, and someone could become trapped at home, in a vehicle, or on foot.

Boulder Creek Fire Protection District provides last-resort survival recommendations for these situations. The Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County also provides guidance in its Prepared, Not Scared wildfire evacuation materials.

Take time to review this information before an emergency occurs.

If you become trapped, call 911 if you can, provide your exact location, and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

If Trapped at Home

If fire conditions make it unsafe or impossible to evacuate, BCFD guidance includes:

• Stay calm and keep your family together.

• Stay inside.

• Call 911 and provide your location.

• Keep doors and windows closed but unlocked.

• Stay away from exterior walls and windows.

• Move to the area of the home farthest from the approaching fire.

• Protect yourself from heat and smoke.

• Stay low when necessary to reduce exposure to heat and smoke.

• Remain sheltered until the fire has passed or conditions force you to leave.

After the fire front has passed, remain alert for spot fires, embers, damaged trees, downed power lines, and other hazards.

If Trapped in a Vehicle

If wildfire conditions prevent you from continuing safely:

• Stay calm and stay together.

• If possible, park in an open area away from vegetation and off the roadway.

• Stay inside the vehicle unless a safer substantial shelter is immediately available.

• Close windows and vents.

• Get low inside the vehicle.

• Protect yourself from radiant heat with a wool blanket, jacket, or other appropriate covering if available.

• Call 911 and provide your location.

• Remain sheltered until the fire has passed and it is safe to move.

Evacuating on foot should be considered a last resort.

If Trapped on Foot

If you are caught outside:

• Stay calm and stay together when possible.

• Call 911 and provide your location.

• Seek shelter in a substantial building or behind a protective barrier if one is safely available.

• If shelter is unavailable, seek an area with as little vegetation as possible.

• Protect yourself from heat and smoke.

• Stay low as conditions require.

These Are Last-Resort Measures

This information is intended for a situation in which safe evacuation is no longer possible.

It should never be considered an alternative to evacuating when directed or a reason to remain at home longer.

Your best protection is to know your evacuation zone, receive emergency alerts, prepare early, remain aware of changing conditions, and follow evacuation instructions from local emergency officials.

The goal is to leave early enough that you never need to use this information.

Review the Source Guidance

Boulder Creek Fire Protection District: Review BCFD's wildfire evacuation and preparedness information for recommendations specific to our local community and fire district.

BCFD WILDFIRE EVACUATION & PREPAREDNESS

Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County: The Prepared, Not Scared: Wildfire Preparation and Emergency Evacuation Guide includes additional information about evacuation preparedness and what to do if you become trapped at home, in a vehicle, or on foot.

PREPARED, NOT SCARED
Consider keeping printed emergency guidance with your household evacuation materials and in your vehicle.

Resources After Evacuation

Once you have safely evacuated, your priorities shift from getting out to staying informed, finding the resources you need, and waiting until it is safe to return home.

Every emergency is different. Evacuation centers, shelters, animal facilities, road closures, assistance programs, and other resources will be established based on the circumstances of that particular incident.

Don't assume that a location or resource used during the 2020 CZU Fire will be used again.

Let Someone Know You're Safe

Once you have reached a safe location, contact family members or your designated out-of-area emergency contact.

Let them know:

• That you have safely evacuated

• Who is with you

• Where you are going or where you are staying

• Whether your animals are with you

• How and when you plan to communicate again

If cellular networks are congested, try sending a short text message rather than repeatedly making voice calls.

Find Current Emergency Resources

If you need assistance after evacuating, use information provided for the current emergency rather than relying on saved information from a previous incident.

Resources may include:

• Evacuation centers and overnight shelters

• Animal sheltering and evacuation assistance

• Food and drinking water

• Medical care and prescription assistance

• Charging and communication resources

• Transportation assistance

• Road closure and transportation information

• Assistance for people with disabilities or other access and functional needs

Santa Cruz County and responding emergency agencies will provide information about resources activated for the incident.

Continue Monitoring Official Information

Conditions may continue to change after you have evacuated.

Continue monitoring:

• CruzAware emergency notifications

• Genasys Protect and the status of your evacuation zone

• Santa Cruz County emergency information

• Local fire and law enforcement information

• Road closure and transportation information

• Local emergency radio when needed

Do not rely on social media posts or information passed from person to person as your only source for decisions about returning home.

Be Prepared to Stay Away

An evacuation may last longer than expected.

Even if your home is undamaged, active fire conditions, damaged or blocked roads, downed power lines, utility interruptions, hazardous trees, emergency equipment, or ongoing firefighting operations may prevent residents from returning.

This is one reason your evacuation supplies should support you for more than just the drive out of the neighborhood.

Wait for Repopulation

Do not return simply because conditions appear better or because you hear that someone else has gone home.

Continue monitoring your evacuation zone and official emergency information. Wait until public safety officials have cleared your area for repopulation before returning.

Roads may still be restricted, and some hazards may not be visible from outside the affected area.

Returning Home Safely

Returning home is the final part of an evacuation. Even when the immediate fire threat has passed, hazards may remain in your neighborhood and on your property.

Wait until public safety officials have cleared your area for repopulation before returning. Roads may still be affected, and firefighters, law enforcement, utility crews, and road crews may still be working.

Don't assume that because other people are heading home, your area has been cleared.

Before You Return

Continue monitoring official emergency information and the status of your evacuation zone.

Before heading home:

• Confirm that your area has been cleared for repopulation.

• Follow any designated return routes or restrictions.

• Be prepared for road closures, delays, or limited access.

• Make sure you have adequate fuel or vehicle charge.

• Bring necessary medications, water, a flashlight, sturdy footwear, and basic protective equipment.

• Follow any instructions regarding utilities, water, or other local hazards.

Repopulation may occur in stages. Nearby neighborhoods may be allowed to return before yours.

As You Approach Your Property

Slow down and look around before driving onto your property or entering your home.

Watch for:

• Downed or damaged power lines

• Fallen, weakened, or fire-damaged trees and branches

• Smoldering vegetation, stumps, or debris

• Damaged utility lines, propane equipment, or meters

• Debris in roads and driveways

• Unstable structures

• Hot spots or signs of continuing fire activity

Treat every downed power line as energized. Stay well away from it and anything it may be touching.

Be particularly cautious around fire-damaged trees. Damage may not always be obvious, and weakened trees or limbs can fall without warning.

Before Entering Your Home

Look at the exterior before going inside.

If you see significant structural damage, damaged electrical equipment, smoke, active fire, or other obvious hazards, do not enter.

If you smell gas or propane, leave the area and contact the appropriate emergency or utility personnel. Do not operate switches, appliances, vehicles, or anything else that could create a spark near a suspected gas leak.

Use a flashlight rather than candles or other open flames when inspecting dark areas.

Keep Children & Animals Close

Keep children and pets with you until you have determined that your property is safe.

Ash, debris, hot spots, damaged fencing, sharp objects, unstable trees, and other hazards may be present even when the property looks relatively normal.

Do not allow animals to roam freely until fencing and surrounding conditions have been checked.

Utilities & Water

Fire and emergency operations can affect electricity, propane, wells, water systems, septic systems, and other utilities.

Do not attempt repairs or restore damaged utilities unless you know it is safe to do so. Follow instructions from emergency officials and utility providers.

If officials issue instructions regarding drinking water or well safety, follow those recommendations until the water has been confirmed safe.

Take Your Time

Being allowed to return home means officials have determined that residents may begin returning to the area. It does not mean every hazard on every property has been eliminated.

Look carefully, use caution, and don't rush to restore everything immediately.

If you smell gas or propane, see smoke or active fire, find damaged electrical equipment, or encounter something that does not appear safe, stay away and contact the appropriate emergency or utility personnel.

Getting home is the final part of the evacuation. Do it safely.