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Here in Olivenhain, we’re surrounded by exceptional natural beauty. But the same vegetation that makes our community so appealing also puts us at heightened risk of wildfire. (Much of Olivenhain is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as designated by Cal Fire.)
While we can’t stop the next fire, we can prepare ourselves and our families, homes and neighborhoods to minimize the threat. Being prepared will also help increase the odds that our homes will remain standing and that our community survives if a wildfire burns through our area.
The Olivenhain Fire Safe Council, in collaboration with the Encinitas Fire Department, has put together this brochure to help you get ready if an approaching wildfire requires you to evacuate. It is especially critical that you prepare ahead of time because our rural roads can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles, and you may need to leave on very short notice. If you wait too long, you may experience severe traffic congestion, including vehicles towing large animal trailers. It’s not uncommon for people to panic in situations like these.
Please take the time to read through the checklists we’ve provided here and use them to create a family evacuation plan. Wildfires happen suddenly and are unpredictable, and the routes you’ll be instructed to take in case of an evacuation order will vary depending on the weather and the fire behavior.
Being ready and leaving early are the safest strategies we can recommend in case of wildfire, and it’s in the interest of everyone in Olivenhain to follow them.
YOUR OLIVENHAIN EVACUATION PLAN
Make sure you’re ready before the threat!
Insure your valuables
❑ Update your homeowner’s insurance.
❑ Create a video and photographic home inventory now—before a fire or emergency occurs.
Protect your home
❑ Trim flammable vegetation away from structures, and clear out dead leaves and detritus. (The law now mandates a five-foot noncombustible zone next to structures in communities at high risk of wildfire, like Olivenhain.)
❑ Remove flammable litter from roofs and gutters.
❑ Relocate wood piles and other flammable materials away from structures.
❑ Upgrade your vents to be ember-resistant.
❑ Check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers, and replace them if necessary.
Get connected
❑ Register cell phones for emergency alerts at Alert San Diego, and install the free San Diego Emergency app (both available at readysandiego.org).
❑ Become familiar with 211 San Diego, which connects people to disaster resources in case of an active incident (211sandiego.org). Gather necessities
❑ Prepare a list of daily essentials (money, medications, glasses or contact lenses, at least a threeday supply of clothes, emergency water and food, etc.), and start gathering them to take with you in case of evacuation. ❑ Pack Go bags for each family member (see instructions on page 3).
❑ Have appropriate masks, such as N-95s, on hand.
❑ Make copies of important documents (preferably digital and stored in the cloud).
❑ Learn your children’s school disaster plan. Plan for your pets
❑ Make sure you have your pets’ travel cases, food, dishes, medications, bedding, etc. on hand; develop plans for evacuating your animals.
❑ Acclimate your pets to carriers, crates, etc. for transport.
❑ Have a plan for any large animals. In case you have to leave
❑ Identify potential evacuation routes, and plan to leave early.
❑ Know your evacuation destination.
❑ Make sure your car always has sufficient fuel or, in case of an EV, is fully charged and ready to go. (You could be sitting in traffic for an extended period of time.)
❑ Establish a family meeting place outside of Encinitas.
❑ Plan for evacuation assistance, if necessary.
For more information, visit readyforwildfire.org
ADVANCE PREPARATION
If you hear that a wildfire is approaching Olivenhain and nearby communities, it’s time to get ready and prepare to go!
Load your car with:
❑ Your Go bag(s) (see packing instructions below)
❑ Daily essentials: money, medications, glasses or contact lenses, at least a three-day supply of clothes, emergency water, food, etc.
❑ Pet crate or carrier, pet food, pet bedding, litter boxes and litter and any pet medications
❑ Valuables, pictures, computers, mobile devices, cell phone chargers Dress for evacuation:
❑ Wear natural fibers such as cotton and wool, and long sleeves, long pants and sturdy shoes.
If you have time:
❑ Close and lock all windows and doors; turn off the gas; turn on outside lights.
❑ Move patio furniture, trash cans, doormats, and other flammable items away from structures.
Keep communication open:
❑ Notify family and friends of your destination. Texting is better than phoning if lines get jammed.
❑ Tune to KOGO AM 600 or KLSD 1360 AM for emergency updates. Or follow the City of Encinitas social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
❑ Be alert to emergency notification calls or texts.
❑ Follow the guidance of local authorities. In extreme circumstances:
❑ If trapped, you are better protected in a building or vehicle.
❑ Evacuate on foot only as a last resort.
If you see or smell smoke, GO! DON’T WAIT—EVACUATE!
GET READY TO GO
Packing a Go Bag
Pack in advance:
• Documents (copies of identification and insurance; other papers important to you; photos). Identify in advance what you can’t live without, and consider packing what can’t be replaced.
• Cash (including small bills—$1, $5, $10)
• Medications list (include all prescriptions and other important medical information)
• Appropriate seasonal clothing
• Your contacts list
• Essential supplies such as personal hygiene products
• N95-type masks
• First aid kit
Pack as you leave:
• Wallet or purse and keys
• Phone and charger, cables and portable power banks
• Medications
Grab if you already own (recommended):
• Portable radio
• Flashlight
• First aid supplies
• Portable computer/mobile devices
Also compile a list of additional items you should bring for everyone in your household, and make sure they are packed.