SALEM, Ore.-With 17 of Oregon’s 36 Counties, including Morrow and Umatilla, already under drought emergency status, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is advising residents to be ready for a potentially devastating wildfire season.
Now is the time to prepare for potential wildfires by putting together go-bags, having an evacuation plan, familiarizing yourself with evacuation levels and their meanings, and more.
Prepare a go-bag
Go-bags contain the essential items you need with you in case you have to leave your home in a hurry due to an emergency.
According to OEM, every member and pet in the family should have a go-bag packed with the following items:
- Water, snacks, and a seven-day supply of necessary medications
- A back-up power cell and extra charging cables
- A flashlight and emergency radio
- Extra clothes and an emergency blanket
- Digital or printed copies of personal documents and emergency contacts
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Cash
Know your evacuation routes
Families should establish an evacuation plan based on their location and should ensure every member of the family knows it.
According to OEM, an evacuation plan should include:
- A list of emergency contacts (printed and placed in every bag)
- An agreed upon safe meeting place in case family members get separated
- Multiple evacuation routes from home, work and school
- Transportation arrangements, know how you will evacuate if necessary
- Arrange transportation and shelter options for livestock ahead of time with resources from the Oregon Department of Agriculture
Emergency Alerts
Oregon residents should sign up for emergency alerts based on their zip code through ORAlert.gov, and ensure that wireless emergency alerts are enabled on their cell phones.
The social media pages of local law enforcement and emergency services, including sheriff’s offices, fire agencies, and the city and county, should also be followed, according to OEM.
Know what to do if cell service is down
Wildfires could affect cell towers and OEM encourages families to develop a Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency (PACE) plan to stay connected if a disaster occurs.
Some cell phone companies offer a Starlink add-on for a nominal fee, which allows your cell phone to access the internet and make web-based phone calls and texts, or send Facebook and WhatsApp messages, even if you can’t connect to a cell tower.
Know the evacuation levels
Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system and the OEM advises all residents to know what each level means.
- Level One-Be Ready (Green): Be aware of the wildfire threat and be prepared to evacuate if necessary
- Level Two-Be Set (Yellow): Indicates significant wildfire danger. Residents should be prepared to leave at any moment and voluntary evacuation is encouraged
- Level Three-Go Now (Red): Means extreme danger is present and residents should evacuate immediately
Have a recovery plan
A standard renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover floods, landslides, or wildfires.
According to OEM, it’s important to talk to your insurance agent to ensure you have the right kind and amount of insurance before a wildfire or other disaster.
