City of Calabasas, CA
Home MenuRed Flag Warning
Protect Your Home
— Move flammable stuff AWAY from the house
— Umbrellas, cushions, doormats
— Clean up leaves & any dead plants that would make good kindling
— Do NOT decide to "catch up" on weed-whacking (sparks cause fires)
— The night before – if you have wooden decks, consider “soaking” them
— Prepare to lose power: dust off your batteries or get new batteries
Stay Home or Close to Home on Wednesday if You Can
— If you must leave...
— Leave LOTS OF WATER out for your pets
— Make sure a neighbor has a key
— Have your Go Bag with you: if there's a fire & the roads are closed, it could be DAYS before you get home
Pay Attention
— Keep an ear out for Alerts on your phone
— Check your email frequently
— If possible, monitor social media
WHAT IS A RED FLAG WARNING?
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME IF AN EVACUATION ORDER IS ISSUED
The term “Red Flag” refers to certain weather conditions that lead to a greater possibility for a brushfire that starts to spread rapidly. These conditions generally exist when the winds exceed 25 mph and the relative humidity is below 15%. Southern California averages 8 Red Flag days every year.
During weather conditions such as these, listen to news reports on the radio or TV to see if a Red Flag Warning or Alert has been issued. Here is a checklist to help you prepare for any possible evacuation.
Protective Measures
- Park your car heading out (windows closed) and keep your car keys handy
- Disconnect automatic garage door openers and use the manual function in case of power failure before you are able to exit
- Place your box of important documents, photos and keepsakes inside your car
- Keep pet carriers readily accessible
- Using a digital camera and the free Home Inventory Guide from the California Department of Insurance (available at www.insurance.ca.gov), catalogue your possessions and document their values.
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Label Photographs with information about each item.
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If a video recorder is used, commentary about each item should be included.
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A copy of the inventory and supporting documentation, such as receipts and model numbers, should be stored in a safe place such as a safe-deposit box, work office, or a relative’s house.
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These records should also include financial documents such as insurance policies and mortgage information.
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When You Leave Your Home
- Keep drapes or other combustible window coverings OPEN or remove them completely
- Close all interior doors of the house (this slows the spread of the fire)
- Close all windows
- Keep interior lights ON. (As long as power remains, your home will be more visible to firefighters through the smoke or darkness)
- Move combustible furniture (sofas, beds, etc.) away from windows and towards the center of the room
Click here to download this checklist