Ready Set Go!

Wildfires are now a year-round reality in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is one of the most beautiful places to live, but for those living in “wildland-urban interface areas,” it does not come without risks. Climate change has made fire season year-round and increased our ever-growing number of wildfires. Firefighters and residents alike are now constantly on heightened alert for the threat of wildfires.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department, along with our partnering agencies, stand ready to quickly respond to contain wildfires, utilizing our firefighting resources from the air and ground to help protect you and your property from wildfire.

But, we can’t do this without your cooperation. Preparation and prevention go hand-in-hand. This Ready! Set! Go! brochure was designed to provide you with critical information on creating defensible space around your home, retrofitting your home with fire-resistant materials, and preparing you to safely evacuate well ahead of a wildfire. Please protect yourself, your family, and your property from a devastating wildfire by taking the time to learn about Ready! Set! Go!

To download a copy of LA County’s Ready! Set! Go! brochure, click on the brochure image or CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to watch a video on Ready! Set! Go!

For additional hard copies, contact LA County’s Public Information Office at (323) 881-2411.

CAL FIRE Wildfire Action Plan

By preparing your home and property for wildfire, and knowing what to do if evacuation is necessary, you can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your home. It is your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for when wildfire strikes.

This guide illustrates the importance of creating and maintaining Defensible Space and hardening your home by retrofitting it with ignition-resistant or noncombustible materials to protect against the threat of flying embers, direct flame contact, and radiant heat exposure. It also provides information about the preparations and precautions to make in order to evacuate early and safely.

If you need more information about preparing for wildfire or any other disaster, contact your nearest fire station or visit us at ReadyforWildfire.org.

To download a copy of the Ready for Wildfire brochure, click on the brochure image or CLICK HERE.

LA County Fire Department Annual Brush Clearance

Earlier this year the Los Angeles County Fire Department (Department) mailed the Annual Brush Clearance Notice 2023 (Defensible Space Inspection Program) to residents in Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs).

California Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 requires: “(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, shrub-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following….” Simplified, this code requires all homeowners within FHSZs to maintain defensible space. The code then identifies specific requirements that are generally described on the Annual Notice. The Los Angeles County Fire Code Section 325.2.1 describes these specifics as well and works in parallel with PRC 4291. The need to inspect along with the authority to inspect is granted in these two codes.

Click on the LACoFD logo or CLICK HERE for more information.

Get Ready

Engage AHFSC and our partners to perform an HIZ assessment of your home.

Create a Family Disaster Plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include in your plan the evacuation of large animals such as horses.
Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them.
Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.
Plan several different evacuation routes.
Designate an emergency meeting location outside the fire hazard area.
Assemble an emergency supply kit, and keep an extra emergency supply kit in your car in case fire prevents you from getting to your home.
Have a communication plan with emergency contact numbers of family members, and be sure to include an out-of-area contact person.
Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the fire.

Get Set

Inside Checklist:

Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
Remove flammable window shades and lightweight curtains. Close metal shutters.
Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
Shut off the air conditioning.

Outside Checklist:

Gather up flammable items (e.g., patio furniture, children’s toys, doormats, etc.) from the exterior of the house and bring them inside or place them in your pool.
Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running – they can waste critical water pressure.
Leave exterior lights on.
Back your car into the driveway. Shut doors and roll up windows.
Have a ladder available.
Patrol your property and extinguish all small fires until you leave.
Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals if time permits.

You Are Trapped: Survival Tips

Shelter away from outside walls.
Bring garden hoses inside house so embers don’t destroy them.
Patrol inside your home for spot fires and extinguish them.
Wear long sleeves and long pants made of natural fibers such as cotton.
Stay hydrated.
Ensure you can exit the home if it catches fire (remember, if it’s hot inside the house, it is four to five times hotter outside).
Fill sinks and tubs for an emergency water supply.
Place wet towels under doors to keep smoke and embers out.
After the fire has passed, check your roof and extinguish any fires, sparks or embers.
Check inside the attic for hidden embers.
Patrol your property and extinguish small fires.
If there are fires that you cannot extinguish with a small amount of water or in a short period of time, call 9-1-1.

By leaving early, you give your family the best chance of surviving a wildfire. You also help firefighters by keeping roads clear of congestion, enabling them to move more freely and do their job.

When To Leave: Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. Don’t wait to be told by authorities to leave. In an intense wildfire, they may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate!
Where To Go: Leave to a predetermined location (it should be a low-risk area, such as a well-prepared neighbor or relative’s house, a Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel, etc.)
How To Get There: Have several travel routes in case one route is blocked by the fire or by emergency vehicles and equipment. Choose an escape route away from the fire.