Wildfires

**nanqt** · 09-14-2011, 12:39 AM

I have lived on the Gulf Coast all my life and have a very detailed hurricane plan, but as I sit and watch communities & neighborhoods wiped out from wildfires I realize I don't have a fire plan. Some families had only 10 min to get out of their homes, what would you take? We are 19 inches behind on rain and everything is so dry just the smallest spark could be disaster.

**NicJean** · 09-14-2011, 02:06 AM

You need BOB's, (Bug Out Bags) one you also keep in the car, year-round. Not only food and clothing and meds, but Copies of important papers, a flash drive of home picts for insurance, etc. You also would benefit from a Grab list, kept by the door. Ten minutes isn't a whole lot of time - under duress you may forget Great Aunt's doohickey that is irreplaceable, but if it's on the list, you'll have a better chance of retrieving it.
Also, if the wildfires are "close" (you determine), park cars facing out - no backing up needed, put grab list items and BOB's in vehicles. If you need to vacate overnight, everything's ready. With time to perhaps water the roof, set out sprinklers, etc. If no overnight evacuation, you are ready anyway. Best be ultra-prepared for this eventuality, rather than under-prepared.
Just my

**sinopa27** · 09-14-2011, 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by NicJean

You need BOB's, (Bug Out Bags) one you also keep in the car, year-round. Not only food and clothing and meds, but Copies of important papers, a flash drive of home picts for insurance, etc. You also would benefit from a Grab list, kept by the door. Ten minutes isn't a whole lot of time - under duress you may forget Great Aunt's doohickey that is irreplaceable, but if it's on the list, you'll have a better chance of retrieving it.
Also, if the wildfires are "close" (you determine), park cars facing out - no backing up needed, put grab list items and BOB's in vehicles. If you need to vacate overnight, everything's ready. With time to perhaps water the roof, set out sprinklers, etc. If no overnight evacuation, you are ready anyway. Best be ultra-prepared for this eventuality, rather than under-prepared.
Just my

great advice!! I am going to use your suggestions!

**sinopa27** · 09-14-2011, 02:48 AM

i always wondered how will preparedness help you in the event of a fire. All that stuff you buy to be prepared for a disaster will get destroyed. I guess some people are fortunate to have a separate location to go to in the event their home is destroyed.
I have a safe with important papers. So, that will be the first to grab. Other than that.....I have no plan. I need to make one! Great thread topic.

**savvy_sniper** · 09-14-2011, 07:39 AM

I live on the Texas Gulf Coast and I have a plan in place to leave on short notice. Hope it never happens. I have insurance on my home and contents and I have flood and wind insurance. Things can be replaced; people and pets cannot.

**nanqt** · 09-14-2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks NicJean, that is a great idea. Without a list, and only 10 min I would just be running in circles. About a month ago, lightning hit a pasture behind our home. You just can't imagine how quick it spread. Please pray for rain in Texas

**NicJean** · 09-14-2011, 12:01 PM

nanqt -
You're very welcome! I've only been 'actively preparing' for less than two years, so I don't know everything, and have not (could not?) imagine each scenario possible. Thinking through a 'disaster' is one of the first steps, then a fire/water proof safe, BOB's, community and out of local area meet-up areas.

My Mom is living just outside Dallas - I can't comprehend the level of water need!

**nanqt** · 09-14-2011, 09:19 PM

This drought is really bad, we normally live in a swamp and now when I walk across our yard it "crunches" like ice. I am worried that if we do have any type of tropical disturbance as weak as the trees are, they will all topple. I was in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area the end of July and it was like living on the Sun ! I don't know how many 100 + degree days they had. Thanks for all the good advice.