FEMA raises wildfire danger

Sustained record-breaking temperatures have raised wildfire hazards throughout the Pacific Northwest and FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages at-risk residents to prepare for the worst, stay informed on local conditions and evacuate if instructed to by fire or emergency management officials.

"Fires can start and spread quickly, and it is essential that people living on wooded lots or in wildland urban interface areas take action now to protect their homes and properties," Hunsinger said.

"The time to discuss wildfire warnings and evacuation strategies with your local forestry and emergency management officials is before wildfires rage. Stay in the loop, follow developments, and evacuate if instructed to."

FEMA recommends that residents take specific action before an evacuation is necessary, clearing flammable materials from around the home, keeping roofs and gutters clear of pine needles and debris and ensuring that house numbers are visible and driveways allow access to firefighting vehicles.

FEMA also recommends preparing an evacuation kit with emergency items gathered in a container that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure. Items to include:

• Flashlight • Battery-powered radio with additional batteries

• First aid kit

• Medicines, prescriptions and eye glasses

• Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for three days for each

• Change of clothing

• Sleeping bags and pillows

• Cash and credit cards

It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver's license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.

FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family members are separated.

Discuss evacuation routes and identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that can be contacted.

Finally, make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. While some shelters won't accept pets, an increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters when large evacuations are necessary.

For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to www.fema.gov,