Residents across the western United States are facing another dangerous wildfire season. This year, large blazes have been burning across California, Oregon and Washington. Evacuation orders have been issued for communities near California's Big Sur, while firefighters continue battling multiple large incidents across the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is also on track for its worst wildfire season on record by acreage burned. Against that backdrop, emergency officials suggest that residents should not wait until an evacuation order appears on their phones. Instead, they should prepare well in advance, as changing wind
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Evacuation orders have been issued for communities near California's Big Sur, while firefighters continue battling multiple large incidents across the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is also on track for its worst wildfire season on record by acreage burned.
Against that backdrop, emergency officials suggest that residents should not wait until an evacuation order appears on their phones. Instead, they should prepare well in advance, as changing wind conditions and rugged terrain can rapidly alter a fire's path.
Ex- FEMA official Josh Dozor told HT.com that wildfire response becomes significantly more challenging when multiple fires burn simultaneously. “The firefighter resources that we have and the emergency response capabilities have to be spread out over a very, very large area,” he said.
Josh Dozor is a former Deputy Assistant Administrator for Response Operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and now General Manager of Medical and Security Assistance Services at International SOS.
Emergency agencies, including Ready.gov, advise families to prepare evacuation plans before wildfire season begins. Dozor said people should take several practical steps before an evacuation order is issued.
1. Make a family evacuation plan: According to Dozor, every household member should know where to go, how to leave, and where to reunite if separated. "Have a plan and communicate your plan with your family and your friends," Dozor said.
2. Pack a grab bag: Experts like Dozor have suggested that residents in the vicinity of a progressive wildfire should keep essential documents, medications, cash, clothing, chargers, water, and other necessities ready to leave on short notice.
Ready.gov also recommends preparing supplies for pets.
3. Keep your phone charged: Wireless Emergency Alerts are one of the fastest ways authorities notify residents about changing wildfire conditions. A charged phone ensures people receive evacuation notices immediately.
Dozor said, “When you're traveling, you're in the area, it's very important to keep your phone charged and powered and able to receive the alerts. We have systems in place in the United States where alerts from our public agencies will be pushed to your cell phones, and you will get an alert."
He added, "It's extremely important to heed the advice of those emergency responders.”
Dozor further suggested residents shut off gas valves if instructed and run air conditioning on recirculation to reduce smoke entering the house. “Put your air conditioning on, circulate so you're not breathing in smokeful air,” Dozor said.
5. Know your evacuation routes: Residents should identify more than one way out of their neighbourhood. Mountain communities often have limited roads. This increases evacuation risks if one route is blocked.
“One of the biggest risks is that there are very few roads into and out of these communities,” Dozor said. “If the fire cuts off that road, you're isolated and you're not able to evacuate.”
One of the biggest misconceptions, Dozor mentioned is that people have plenty of time once an evacuation order is issued. He explained that evacuation timing depends on several factors, including fire containment, wind direction, the number of people at risk and local road infrastructure.
He said, “Once you get the alert to evacuate, evacuate. Don't delay. Don't wait. Don't use the time to get more things.”
Shirin Gupta is a content producer with the Hindustan Times. She covers everything between politics, entertainment and sports at the US desk. Shirin got interested in political journalism during her time as a web editor at her college newspaper NCC News in Syracuse when she first started seeing the effects of national politics in life of her fellow colleagues. Shirin has worked on a wide range of fast-moving and developing stories locally when she was at NCC editing accessible reports for the audience. Her current role requires her to track real-time updates, verify information and present balanced coverage across diverse beats. Covering US politics from an international newsroom perspective has further deepened her understanding of how domestic decisions can have far-reaching global consequences. With a keen interest in international affairs, Shirin continues to build her expertise in geopolitics, policy shifts, and cross-border developments. She aims to learn and evolve her reporting in matters of geopolitics and international issues. Outside the newsroom Shirin writes about books and music for her personal blog. She is an avid consumer of pop culture and reveres literature.Read More