01/31/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/31/2025 02:16
Create a Defensible Space
Defensible space is crucial for your home's wildfire safety. It's the buffer zone you create between your property and the surrounding wildland area. This space is key to slowing or stopping wildfire spread and protecting your home from embers, flames, or heat. It also gives firefighters a safer area to defend your property.
Harden Your Home
Preparing (hardening) your home for wildfire involves understanding the risks and making strategic upgrades to your property to help it withstand extreme weather, wildfires, and other natural hazards. During a wildfire, your home can be threatened by direct flames (typically coming from a wildfire or a neighboring house), radiant heat (typically coming from nearby burning objects), and/or flying embers (embers can be particularly destructive - capable of igniting homes up to a mile away). A hardened home is up to 4x more likely to survive wildfires and major storms.
Make an Evacuation Plan
Develop, discuss, and practice an emergency evacuation plan with your whole household. Your evacuation plan is a vital resource for preparing and executing evacuation procedures during wildfire emergencies. Your plan should include multiple ways to exit your home and neighborhood safely. In severe wildfires, there's no time to waste. If advised to leave, do so without delay. It's safer to leave before a mandatory order is issued.
Have Your 'Go Bag' Ready
Be proactive with a well-prepared emergency supply kit and prepare for the possibility of being away from home for a while. A 'Go Bag' should be easy to carry, accessible for quick evacuation and include only essentials and personal documents. Always have sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed, ready for sudden night evacuations.
Plan for Pets and Animals
Keep your pets close and ready to go. Know where to take animals/livestock in an emergency. Contact local fairgrounds, stockyards, or friends for temporary shelter. With some advanced planning you can increase their chances of surviving a wildfire.
Prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
When wildfires strike, power outages are common. A PSPS is when electric companies turn off power on purpose. The idea is to stop sparks from power lines or electrical equipment from starting a fire. In the event of a power outage, remain calm and follow these steps:
Stay Informed
Always have a charged cell phone for emergencies and keep up with the latest information from Brea Fire and other local government/public safety agencies.
The City of Brea is committed to ensuring the safety of our community. City staff are continuously monitoring conditions and are well staffed and prepared to respond during a wildfire emergency. We urge everyone in the community to stay alert and aware of potential dangers. Be thoughtful about what you see on emergency information apps, social media, and other non-government/public safety sources. If there is an emergency that requires immediate action, it will be communicated via our official social media sites, website and through emergency notification systems such as AlertOC. Residents should prepare now and not wait for an emergency to do so.
Your safety and the safety of your loved ones is most important during any emergency. For more detailed information on how to prepare and what to do in the event of an emergency, visit breafire.gov.