Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best!

This is a motto I have always used...."prepare for the worst but hope for the best"

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared! I know people like to point fingers at "preppers" and call them crazy BUT at the end of the day who will be ok? That's right the ones who were prepared. Now I'm not saying go hog wild getting an underground bunker and 3 years worth of goods. I am however saying have a little stash of items and be prepared.

With all the hurricanes, fires, tornadoes and our lovely friend Coronavirus/COVID-19 we have to deal with what's wrong with making sure you and your family are going to be ok.

I read an article recently from a woman out in California who used to be a wildlife firefighter, her article was talking about the fires out there and making sure you and your family are safe. I snagged the evacuation list from her article to add here because everyone should have a little something to keep them safe and prepared in times of need. If you would like to read her full post https://www.facebook.com/gisellebisson/posts/10158010584329051 her evacuation list is at the bottom.

I currently live in New Hampshire so wildfires aren't a big problem here although I do like in a very wooded area in the mountains so I still try to stay prepared. I try to stay prepared for a possible evacuation if needed mostly because I live in an apartment complex and my biggest fear is a fire. Not by my own causing but a neighbors and in places like these it can get out of control quickly.

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EVACUATION PACK LIST -

Vehicle (large enough to sleep in is best).

Point car out to evacuate

Key in ignition without having to do a u turn.

Get gas/full tank, oil, fluids.

Full tank of gas!

Fluids, oil, Fix-a-Flat

Spare tire

Jumper cables

Vehicle documents

AAA card

Spare keys (tape one under your license plate, or have it in a magnetic holder on your roof.)

Window shade (block light, privacy, theft deterrent)

Tinted windows or black foam core cardboard, dark blanket to hide belongings

Podcasts, music

Bluetooth speaker

Personal Documents

💰 cash

Credit cards, digitize

important documents such as Passport,

birth certificates,

unpaid bills. Pink slips. Deeds. Stock certificates.

Phone numbers address lists printed on paper

Thumb drives

Hard drives

Best in an organized folder.

If you leave documents behind, have a fireproof box/safe. (Looters.)

PROTECT EYES

Clear goggles are very useful -- most people in Paradise fire who were injured had eye injuries from falling sparks!

Food

Canned soups/protein.

Snacks.

Tea and beverages to share.

Cooler. Frozen bottles of water in cooler as ice.

Water container / water

Salt, electrolytes

Stove. Pan. Spoons, Knife, cutting board.

Mug.

Coffee thermos.

Can opener.

Little butane stove, $20 at Asian market or Walmart

Lighter

Note: It is great to have things to share to offer for favors in emergency -- for example, a 6 pack of beer, bottle of whiskey, cup of coffee or a carton of cigarettes will buy you a lot of favors with strangers.

Valuables

Save your history, your roots, your creative work --- instruments, art, jewelry, family photos, sacred objects. This anchors you. It is important.

First aid

Meds;

eyeglasses, prescription, contacts, saline.

First Aid kit

Visine; Carmex; throat lozenges;

Soap, sanitizer, towels

Baby wipes

Solar shower

Supplements

Light/power

Lantern

Headlamp

Batteries.

Backup charger / inverter

Solar charger for batteries or devices

Solar lights

Communication - keep charged up.

Losing power is a big problem in evac situation as devices drain faster than you can charge in the car and they will drain your car battery!!!

Cellphone/s

Laptop/s

Charger/s, adapter

Weather Band Radio or walkie talkies

Mifi Router - great to share wifi with others

Headsets

Photo gear (tripod, gimbal, selfie stick etc.)

Personal

TP.

Shampoo; brush; toiletries.

Paper towels

Earplugs (airplane, helicopter noise)

Eyeshade (maybe sleeping who knows where)

Navigation

Download maps and apps while you can!

Local Maps.

Road Atlas. (Cellphone networks may not work.)

Fastrak.

CLOTHING

Mask or bandana -- you have one!

Several pair socks/undergarments.

Casual, warm clothes for cold nights.

Sturdy, walking shoes.

Hats - Sunhat to protect from raining ashes

Work appropriate outfit if you have to work online.

Bedding

Personally, I like to be self sufficient during COVID -- and I bring ALL my own bedding and mattress. Your host will appreciate it!

Pad

Sleeping bags/ or

Down blend duvet

Sheets

Real Pillow/case

Warm wool blanket

Extra tarps, blankets etc to give people

Tent or RV or SUV/van

A hatch tent is great for car camping

Tarp/s

Small folding table

Patio Mat

Folding Chair

Extras

Paper, pens, poster board, duct tape.

zip ties, bungie cords

Trash bags

EAR PLUGS (sirens/helicopter noise).

Sleep eye shade.

Pepper spray, safety protection.

Umbrella/poncho/raincoat.

Pets

Pets, pet food, water, medications

Backpack / Go Bag

Bicycle/rack

OTHER THINGS TO DO:

Pack right away! Then relax!

Water house perimeter and roof.

Remove items, trash branches etc that could burn.

Take out smelly trash.

Put bottles of cold water in fridge in case of power outage.

Put pans under food in freezer to catch liquid as food melts.

SLEEPING DURING PRE-EVACUATION

You may get an evacuation notice (firefighters at your door) at 3 am. Are you ready? They will demand you leave NOW!

Keep in mind that you might need to escape on foot at any time, so have your backpack of essentials packed up and devices next to your bed as you sleep.

Make sure you have flashlights handy—power can go out in a fire.

Take a shower before bed. It might be your last one for a LONG time.

Keys. Eyeglasses. Contacts. Near.

Devices CHARGING

Sleep dressed in comfortable, practical clothes

Keep sturdy walking shoes nearby!

LEAVING

Lights off so they are not on when you return days later, Burning up your utilities!

Locked or unlocked? The firefighters can break into windows. If you leave unlocked and you evacuate, looters can rob you.

While evacuating:

Wear an N-95 mask if you have one to avoid inhaling particles. Wear your mask or bandana. Drive with windows up and A/C on, mask to keep particles out of your lungs. You are evacuating through zombie apocalypse smoke. It can be very hard to see where you are going.

Don’t depend on stores to be open or well stocked. This is why snacks are good to have.

They were all closed last year when I evacuated the Healdsburg Fire. I had to drive 50 miles to find an open food store. Gas was VERY hard to find, stations closed, ATMS shut down, many businesses were cash only. If you have time, bring a day or two of food.

If you have signal:

Tell relatives and friends where are you are going if you can!

Let them know you are safe and not trapped in fire. If you have no cell access or power they will worry.

MINDSET

One more thing, prepare as if you’re going a very comfortable camping trip!

Play happy music.

Make the best of it and try to see the joy in every moment. Bring comforting beverages and familiar things like your favorite bed pillow.

If you have kids, find an area that isn’t smoky (Grandma’s) go to the beach, lake, make it a vacation.

Chances are the fire will be contained soon and you can go home in a few days. Chances are, everything will be fine.

For easy, fast camping reservations, try downloading these apps:

Www.hipcamp.com (camping on private land and State Park info)

Www.tentrr.com (pre pitched tents)

www.glampinghub.com (fancy tents)

www.airbnb.com - may have evacuee housing free

Free camping on our public lands

www.parkedinparadise.com/find-free-camping

https://thedyrt.com/search/near-me?showMapLayerModal

https://www.boondockersbible.com/knowledgebase/top-ten-free-sites-for-beginner-boondockers/

REAL TIME FIRE AND SMOKE MAPS

https://fire.airnow.gov/

https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/california-fire-map/