Levels of
Evacuation
Level 1
BE READY
Level 2
BE SET
Level 3
GO NOW
People who need help or more time to evacuate should evacuate
at Level 1 or Level 2. This includes assisted living centers, people
with disabilities, people needing help with small children, people
with medical conditions and people with large animals.
Pack your valuables. Include important
documents such as passports, birth
certificates, insurance information,
medications, medical equipment and animal
vaccination records.
Monitor the news. Follow Lane County,
Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and your local
fire department’s social media pages, as well
as local television and radio news
broadcasts.
Evacuate — information will be provided
regarding where you can go to get
information, resources and support.
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Level 1:Be Ready
Pre-Evacuation Preparation Steps
If time allows – during Level 1 Evacuation (Be Ready)
When an evacuation is anticipated, follow this checklist (if time allows) to give your home the best
chance of surviving a wildfire. Sign up for PublicAlerts to receive notifications about emergencies
that affect you and your neighbors. Lane County residents should go to
www.lanecounty.org/emergencyalerts to sign up.
Inside
Shut windows and doors.
Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.
Remove lightweight curtains.
Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights. Only a certified technician from your local gas
company can turn the gas on again.
Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
Shut off the air conditioning.
If time allows, take a video of your home for insurance purposes, focusing on expensive items
and serial numbers.
Outside
Gather flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture,
children’s toys, doormats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in an in-ground pool.
Turn off propane tanks.
Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water
buckets and place them around the house.
Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.
Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry
your car keys with you.
Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access
your roof.
Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel
threatened.
Animals
Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.
Neighbors
Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave, especially neighbors who may
need extra assistance (i.e. people with medical needs, people with disabilities, children, seniors).
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How to Prepare For Evacuation
Get ready to GO! There is significant danger to your area. You should either leave
the area now or be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
When to Evacuate:
Don’t wait to be ordered by authorities to leave. Evacuating the affected area early
helps responders keep roads clear of congestion. In a fast-moving emergency, you
MAY NOT receive another notice. It is important that you do not hesitate to
evacuate if you feel unsafe.
Review your Evacuation Plan Checklist.
Ensure your Emergency Supply Kit is in your vehicle.
Officials will determine areas to be evacuated. Certain escape routes may be identified
depending upon the nature and location of the emergency.
Follow the directions of law enforcement and emergency management personnel promptly.
You will be advised of potential evacuations as early as possible. You must take the
initiative to stay informed and aware. Listen to your radio or television for announcements
from law enforcement and emergency management personnel.
Monitor the news. Follow Lane County, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and your local
fire department’s social media pages, as well as local television and radio news broadcasts.
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Once you leave, do not return to your home until officials determine it is safe. Notification that it
is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible considering safety and accessibility.
Level 3: GO NOW!
What to Do When Evacuating
DO NOT stop to gather items or make efforts to protect your home.
Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve
shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, dry bandanna for face cover, goggles or glasses.
100% cotton is preferable.
Take your pets with you.
What to Do If You Become Trapped During a Wildfire Evacuation
In your vehicle:
Stay calm.
Park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation.
Close all vehicle windows and vents.
Cover yourself with wool blanket or jacket.
Lie on vehicle floor.
Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.
On foot:
Stay calm.
Go to an area clear of vegetation, a ditch or depression on level ground if possible.
Lie face down, cover up your body.
Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.
In your home:
Stay calm; keep your family together.
Call 911 and inform authorities of your location.
Fill sinks and tubs with cold water.
Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked.
Stay inside your house.
Stay away from outside walls and windows.
Follow the directions of law enforcement and emergency personnel.
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Level 3 - GO NOW is the last notice you will receive.
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If you choose to ignore the evacuation notice, emergency personnel may not
be able to assist you later.
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Once you leave, do not return to your home until officials determine it is safe. Notification that it
is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible considering safety and accessibility.
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Prepare for the future:
Create a Wildfire Action Plan
Your Wildfire Action Plan must be prepared and familiar to all members of your
household well in advance of a wildfire. Use the checklist below to help create your
plan. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on a variety of issues, needs, and
situations.
Your Wildfire Action Plan Checklist
Create an evacuation plan that includes:
A designated emergency meeting location outside the fire or hazard area. This is critical to
determine who has safely evacuated.
Several escape routes from your home and community. Practice these often so everyone in
your family is familiar in case of emergency.
Have an evacuation plan for pets and livestock.
A Family Communication Plan that designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of
contact to act as a single source of communication among family members in case of
separation. (It is easier to call or message one person and let them contact others than to try
and call everyone when phone, cell, and internet systems can be overloaded or limited
during a disaster.)
Be prepared:
Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them (check expiration
dates regularly).
Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are
located and how to safely shut them down in an emergency
.
Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit.
Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers in a common living area and in your
emergency supply kit.
Keep an extra Emergency Supply Kit in your car in case you cannot get to your home
because of fire or other emergency.
Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the situation.
Tell your neighbors about Be Set, Be Ready, and GO NOW! and your Wildfire Action Plan.
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Remember the Six “Ps”
Keep these six “Ps” ready in case immediate evacuation is required:
When is it safe to go back?
People and pets
Prescriptions,
vitamins and eyeglasses
Personal computer
hard drive and backups
Papers,
phone numbers and
important documents
Pictures
and irreplaceable memorabilia
Plastic,
(credit/debit cards) and cash
You will be notified when the evacuation is lifted via one or more of the
following:
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Facebook (facebook.com/LaneCountyGovernment)
Twitter (twitter.com/LaneCountyGov)
FlashAlert (flashalert.net/id/LCG)
AlertMe! (www.lanecounty.org/emergencyalerts)
Please do not re-enter evacuated areas until the evacuation is lifted.
Emergency responders may not be able to assist you, and unauthorized
re-entry can delay emergency responders and response resources.
This guide was adapted and reproduced with the permission of the Multnomah
County Sheriff’s Office and Multnomah County Emergency Management.
