The Garnet Fire, burning inside the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County, has already scorched more than 8,500 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to Sierra National Forest officials. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for communities closest to the flames in the mountainous areas northeast of the city. 

With thousands of residents evacuated—and many more under warning—the importance of disaster preparedness has never been clearer. When an alarm sounds or an evacuation order is issued, there may be only minutes to act. Having a plan and being ready in advance can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. 

How to Prepare for a Wildfire Emergency: 

• Wildfires may cause power outages, so have backup plans for electrical medical devices and medicines that must be refrigerated and have a battery-powered radio so you can hear emergency updates. 
• Get a map and plan three different exit routes where you live and work in case of road closures or unexpected changes in conditions. 
• Talk with your family and make an evacuation plan so everyone knows where to go when disaster strikes. 
• Choose familiar places to meet up and practice getting there. Pick one in your neighborhood, one outside your neighborhood, and one outside your town in case you have to change plan based on fire location. These could be the home of a relative or friend or a store, library, or park. 
• If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly places to meet. 
• Have a Go Bag packed with necessary items like money, important documents, phones, medicines and medical devices. Make sure to have key items for babies, elders, people with medical needs, and pets. 

To learn more, visit https://centralcallegal.org/emergency/