Wildfire and smoke

Before

• Have more than one way to get alerts: county alerts, a weather radio, and a phone.
• Ready.gov: keep the first 30 feet around the home clear of leaves, debris, and flammable material if you are making a fire-resistant zone.
• Choose a room you can close off from outside air. Ready.gov suggests a portable air cleaner in that room during smoke.
• Ready.gov says to keep an N95 mask if you can, for smoke. People with asthma or other lung disease should talk with a clinician about smoke plans.
• Know how you would leave on short notice, including pets. See the evacuation guide.

During

• If authorities say to evacuate, leave right away (Ready.gov).
• If you are not told to leave and the air is smoky, stay inside with doors and windows closed. Set a central system to recirculate if it has that setting (Ready.gov).
• Use an N95 if you must be outside in smoke. Limit the time outside.
• Ready.gov: do not wait in a smoky house if you are told to go. If you are trapped, call 911 and give your location.
• Pay attention to air-quality alerts from the National Weather Service and local officials.

After

• Go home only when authorities say it is safe (Ready.gov).
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, and smoldering spots. The ground can stay hot.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and sturdy shoes for cleanup. Wet debris before you sweep so you stir up less dust (Ready.gov).
• People with asthma or COPD should be careful in poor air even after the flame is out (Ready.gov).

Checklist

• ☐Alerts signed up, plus a battery or hand-crank radio
• ☐N95 masks stored
• ☐A room that can be closed to outside air
• ☐30 feet of cleared debris if you are doing yard work for fire
• ☐Go-bag and pet plan if you might have to leave

Sources

Official pages only. Open them for the full instructions.

• Ready.gov: Wildfires
• Ready.gov: Evacuation
• National Weather Service: Hurricane safety
• St. Johns County Emergency Management
• Florida Division of Emergency Management: Plan and prepare