National Preparedness Month week 2 wildfires

This week’s theme for National Preparedness Month is wildfires. Every year, an average of 1.2 million acres in the U.S. burn from wildfires, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. Though wildfires happen all throughout the country, west Texas is particularly prone to them due to constant dry conditions and thunderstorms.

If you are near a wildfire, you will most likely receive an order to evacuate. Follow that order! To ensure you’re not spending precious minutes looking for last minute items, have all your essentials ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Here in San Angelo, you can sign up for emergency alerts that will give you information about various incidents, fires being one of them. To sign up, go to http://www.nixle.com/ and follow the instructions under “residents”.

If you’re on the road near a wildfire, take note of the following actions:

• Roll up windows, close air vents, drive with headlights on

• If you have to stop, park away from trees and brush. Keep headlights on, turn ignition off

• You can survive a wildfire by staying in your car, though this is not an ideal situation

  • If riding out the wildfire in your car, get on the floor and cover yourself with a blanket or coat

The Be Prepared wildfire pamphlet offers additional information to include actions to take before, during and after wildfires. Check it out!

Please contact the Readiness and Emergency Management Flight at 325-654-3245 or at 17cesreadiness@us.af.mil with any disaster related questions.