FIRE COUNTRY PREPARATION
READY, SET, GO!
READY
First Things First: Notification
Set up free phone emergency notifications
FREE PHONE APPS
1. Pulse Point: www.pulsepoint.org/download. You chose the fire departments you want to follow (e.g., RSF Fire) and what you want to be notified of (e.g., vegetation fire). This app reports to you what is being reported out by dispatch. It will alert you about what types of apparatus is sent, the time of call, and when the situation is cleared.
2. Watch Duty: www.watchduty.org You can tap on a map of the Western US, with incidents marked by a fire icon and retrieve up-to-date information on an incident.
3. Facebook: www.facebook. com This is a widely-used mobile app. Sign-up and “friend” or “like” your local fire departments (e.g., RSF Fire), Fire Safe Councils (Elfin Forest Harmony Grove FSC), and other important organizations (CalFire San Diego) to follow posted information. We also suggest “following” various community pages, such as Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council; Keepin’ it Rural; and Harmony Grove Village Residents.
4. Twitter: twitter.com/Twitter Often has the most up to date fire information on active fire incidents. All you do is “search” and “follow” fire departments (e.g., RSF Fire and Cal Fire San Diego).
5. San Diego County Emergency: www.readysandiego.org/content/oesready/en-us/SDEmergencyApp. Once you sign up, it will notify users of evacuation orders and other emergencies. It offers Twitter links and preparation information, along with open shelters and maps.
6. SDGE Alerts: www.sdge.com/alerts-sdge Once you sign up, it will alert you of area power outages. It also reports current weather information, highlights numerous cameras around county, and offers other valuable information.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
You MUST register your cell phone to be notified of a fire or other emergency is in your area. Land lines are automatically registered, but cell phones must be registered.
To register to go:
BLOCK CAPTAINS
Our Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove communities are lucky to have a Block Captain system that acts as a phone tree in the event of an emergency or neighborhood issue.
Your Block Captain is a neighbor volunteer that will call or text pertinent information, but you must be on their list.
To find your Block Captain contact Mickey Cross: mickeykc@juno.com
TUNE YOUR RADIOS TO:
KOGO 6:00 am KLSD 13:60 am
Your radios will still give you fire information if the cell towers are not working.
LEARN THE LINGO!
WEATHER LINGO
FIRE WEATHER WATCH
A Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Watch is declared when critical fire weather conditions could develop over the next 2 -4 days. A watch is issued to give a longer lead time to prepare for a fire.
When a Red Flag Watch is issued is time to pack your go bags for family, pets and livestock. Fuel vehicles and inspect trailers, fill water containers, etc. Practice loading large animals. Review your evacuation plan and contact your out of the area person(s).
RED FLAG WARNING
A Red Flag Warning is declared for weather that may result in critical fire conditions that may occur within the next 24 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert issued. Weather conditions include low humidity, high winds and dry vegetation.
When a Red Flag Warning is issued, you should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
For current weather information, click here.
Still confused about a warning and a watch? Try this:
EVACUATION LINGO
Evacuation orders are issued by Incident Command comprised of CHP, Sheriff, Fire Departments and other agencies.
Evacuation Warning Potential threat to life and/or property. Those with pets and livestock should evacuate now.
Evacuation Order Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
Shelter in Place Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
Soft Closure Closed to all traffic except Fire, Law Enforcement and critical Incident resources (i.e. Utility, Caltrans, City/County Roads etc. or those needed to repair or restore infrastructure).
Hard Closure Closed to all traffic except Fire and Law Enforcement.
Resident Only Closure Soft closure with the additional allowance of residents and local government agencies assisting with response and recovery.
For up-to-date evacuation status go to Watch Duty, Ranch Santa Fe Fire Twitter feed or SD Emergency phone app.
SIREN LINGO
When you hear the hi-low, it is time to go!
On May 5, 2023, The San Diego Sheriff’s Department rolled out its new siren system built into patrol vehicles that will emit a high, then low repeating siren tone which warns communities that they need to immediately evacuate due to immediate danger. To hear the new siren sound click here.
A NOTE ABOUT DOCUMENTS
Strongly consider a safety deposit box at a bank or credit union. Fire officials will tell you they have seen more destroyed documents stored in “fire safes” than intact documents. This will decrease stress, increase space in your vehicles when evacuating.
MAKE A PLAN
KNOW YOUR EVACUATION ROUTES!
Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove have 2 main evacuation routes, Elfin Forest Road and Harmony Grove Road. For a printable map, click here.
Practice family/animal evacuations – see how fast you can load up and go! For animals, livestock, and horses click here.
For a printable, detailed guide with lists and more, click here.
SET
BUILD A KIT
Fill vehicles and park with nose pointing out. Those with livestock trailers need to hook up and practice loading animals, safety check your rig, etc. See: link (to equine evacuation check sheet, to be provided). Put Go Bags, next to the door. Keep cell phones charged and ringers on. Be ready to go at a moments notice!
3-day water supply providing one gallon of water per person, per day
3-day non-perishable food supply including a can opener and kitchen utensils
One change of clothing and shoes per person
Enough blankets and/or a sleeping bag for each person
First aid kit, including family prescriptions and spare eyeglasses.Emergency tools and work gloves
A battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries
Flashlights with extra batteries
Matches and/or a lighter kept in a waterproof container.
Sanitation and hygiene items
Special items for infants, seniors and those with disabilities
PACK A GO BAG
When a RED FLAG Warning is in effect…
A credit card and cash; personal identification; extra set of car and house keys
Extra pet food, leash(es), and enough pet carriers to transport all pets for complete pet list click here.
Sunglasses and/or goggles (for high wind and blowing embers)
Entertainment (e.g. books, games for the family, or child’s favorite toy)
Cell phone and charger
Computer, hard drive, or laptop (with charger)
Prescriptions and medications
Important documents, including birth certificates, passports, and insurance records (not needed if they are in a safety deposit box
Jewelry
GO!
When a RED FLAG warning is in effect…
Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Have your cell phones charged with ringers on and listen for notifications from phone apps, Block Captains. Listen to radio and/or TV, or dial 211.