With the Saddleridge Fire burning thousands of acres just south of Santa Clarita, we felt it was necessary to inform you how to prepare in case of an evacuation.

While the Saddleridge Fire was being held to just south of Santa Clarita as of 4:30 a.m. Friday morning, the possibility of the evacuation looms in the back of everyone’s minds. Here 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 a Los Angeles County Fire Public Information Officer.

“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.”

Fire and evacuation information can be found on your local news stations. During a fire, KHTS FM 98.1 and 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.

See Related: Saddleridge Fire In Sylmar Causes Closure Of Multiple Freeways, Classified As ‘Major Emergency’

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. In 2017, 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!

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.