Rye Fire, #RyeFire, has resulted in dozens of neighborhoods near the 5,000 acre brush fire to be evacuated as 35 MPH winds stoke the blaze growing along the westside of Santa Clarita.

EVACUATIONS are still in effect for the Westridge community in Stevenson Ranch and the Valencia Travel Village RV Resort.

There are a few ways that you can prepare your home and your family for a potential evacuation. Having family disaster plan ahead of time is key to making the evacuation process as easy as possible.

However, if you only have a few moments to pull together the things you need, the LA County Fire Department suggests this checklist:

Keep a pair of old shoes and a flashlight handy for a night evacuation.

Keep the six “P’s” ready, in case an immediate evacuation is required:

• People and pets

• Papers, phone numbers, and important documents

• Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses

• Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia

• Personal computers (information on hard drive and disks)

• “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash.

“The ideal is for the Command Staff to evacuate residential neighborhoods early. The fire might not feel threatening to you and your neighborhood at the time Sheriff’s deputies are asking you to evacuate,” said Stephanie English, a fire department PIO. She went on to explain that early evacuation is planned to give residents a chance to collect their things and avoid panic during evacuation.

“It ensures your safety by leaving your house and helps the firefighters do their best job by being able to get in and out and maneuver and work easily without a lot of traffic. In addition, they don’t have to worry about life safety, they’re just worrying about protecting your structure,” English added.

Fire and evacuation information can be found on your local news stations. During a fire, KHTS AM-1220 offers current updates on evacuations, road closures, fire containment, and everything you need to know on our website (hometownstation.com), in our breaking news alerts (to sign up, click here), and 24/7 on air.

If you are not in danger from a fire, but are close to an area that is, take time to evaluate your home’s fire defenses. Last year, more that $65 million of property and structure losses were reported by the LA County Fire Department. The California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection gives these suggestions so you can protect your home and property against a fire:

Create Defensible Space:

Here are some instructions from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on making an effective family disaster plan:

1. Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication
plans and practice it regularly. Include in your plan the evacuation of large animals.
2. Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them.
3. Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric and water main shut-off
controls are and how to use them.
4. Plan different evacuation routes and a meeting location outside the fire hazard area.
5. Appoint an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact so you can communicate
with family members who have relocated.
6. Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers posted near your phone and in your
emergency supply kit.
7. Assemble an emergency supply kit.

Supplies to take with you if you need to evacuate:

– Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply)
– Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply)
– Flashlight
– Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
– Extra batteries
– First aid kit
– Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
– Multi-purpose tool
– Sanitation and personal hygiene items
– Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information,
deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
– Cell phone with chargers
– Family and emergency contact information
– Extra cash
– Emergency blanket
– Map(s) of the area
– Other essential items that could not be replaced if they were destroyed
– Keep an extra emergency supply kit in your car in case you can’t get to your home
because of fire.
– Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the fire.
– When a wildfire warning is issued:
– Listen to the radio for reports and evacuation information and instructions.
– Leave early enough to avoid getting caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. Don’t
wait to be told by authorities to leave. In an intense wildfire, they may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate, GO!

Mandatory evacuation orders are currently being issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Please follow the Sheriff’s Department’s Twitter accounts (@LASDHQ and @SCVSheriff) for details on evacuations. Evacuation centers have been set up at the following locations:

– Valencia High School (27801 Dickason Dr, Santa Clarita)
– College of the Canyons (26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita)
– FOR SMALL ANIMALS: West Valley Animal Shelter (20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth)
and East Valley Animal Shelter (14409 Vanowen St., Van Nuys)
– FOR LARGE ANIMALS: Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland
Hills)

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