ENVIRONMENT How to plan for a wild re evacuation, protect your home
BY HANNAH NORTON
during outdoor activities like grilling or moving. Williamson County residents are required to have equipment on hand to put out a re—such as a bucket of water or a re extinguisher—if they are doing activities that may cause a spark, said Michael Shoe, the director of Williamson County’s O ce of Emergency Management. Authorities also said people should be sure to dispose of cigarettes properly. The speci cs: All Texans should assemble an evacuation kit that can be taken in the event of an emer- gency, o cials said. During a wild re, homes are typically lost due to embers. It is important to clean gutters periodically, as embers can quickly ignite vegetation or debris, she said. Flammable materials, such as plants or owers, should be placed at least 5 feet away from the home and trees near the home should be trimmed, O’Connor said. Jones said wooden decks and fences can act as “fuses” during a wild re. “Fences burn down more houses than anything else, so if you can break the continuity of how your fence connects to your house, that’s a big, big deal,” he said. Learn more: To sign up for emergency alerts about wild res and other weather events, visit www.warncentraltexas.org.
As wild re activity continues across Central Texas, o cials encour- age residents to make evacuation plans in advance. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a wild re disaster declaration for 191 Texas counties amid hot and dry weather Aug. 14. Current situation: The extreme heat combined with windy days and little-to-no rain creates the perfect environment for a wild re to grow, Erin O’Connor, the lead public infor- mation o cer for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said. Fires that start under these conditions often spread quickly and are di cult to control. The overview: Local emergency man- agement agencies issue evacuation orders when a wild re is threatening a community. The highest priority is saving lives, said Justice Jones, the Austin Fire Department’s wild re mitigation o cer. As of mid-August, at least four Austin-area res prompted evacua- tions, including in San Marcos, Kyle and Cedar Park. Jones said evacuations last until downed utilities are xed, structures are stabilized and it is certain the re will not reignite. At least 90% of wild res are preventable and caused by people, according to the TFS. Fires com- monly start when people park on dry grass; drag chains while towing trailers or equipment; or are careless
The Austin Fire Department put out several grass res in August, including one on Stassney Lane on Aug. 13. (Courtesy Austin Fire Department)
__________________________ A gift for you! SOURCE: TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE COMMUNITY IMPACT Pack enough clothes, food and water for at least 72 hours. If possible, bring batteries, ashlights, phone chargers, rst aid kits and hygiene supplies. Priceless items Most memorabilia should be left at home, but o cials recommend grabbing irreplaceable photos or other valuables when possible. Preparing a pack O cials recommend having an emergency kit prepared, following the “5 P’s:” People and pets Plan to evacuate and transport all family members, pets and livestock. Bring important identi cation for all people. Prescriptions Gather necessary medications, eyeglasses or contacts, hearing aids and medical equipment. Papers Have physical or electronic copies of insurance information, phone numbers and other important documents. Personal needs
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