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Public Safety

What To Know When There's A Wildfire

An air tanker drops retardant while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.
Associated Press
An air tanker drops retardant while battling the Glass Fire in St. Helena, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.

San Diego County has long been prone to wildfires, which can be caused both naturally and by humans. They pose a major hazard to the community, which is why it’s important for people to be prepared.

Being prepared can increase the safety of you and your family, as well as your personal property.

Emergency Supply Checklist

–Three-day supply of nonperishable food and three gallons of water per person.

– Map marked with at least two evacuation routes.

– Prescriptions or special medications.

– Change of clothing.

– Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.

– An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks.

– First aid kit.

– Flashlight.

– Battery-powered radio and extra batteries.

– Sanitation supplies.

– Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)

– Don't forget pet food and water!

Source: CAL FIRE

RELATED: What You Need To Know If There’s An Earthquake

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Monitoring the situation is critical in any emergency situation. Follow the CAL FIRE incidents page for the latest wildfire information.

To monitor wind conditions, visit SDG&E's Wind Speed Dashboard.

Social Media

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San Diego Fire-Rescue

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Check if your area will have a power outage with this map from SDG&E.

You can also stay informed with the latest information by checking the social media pages of fire and law enforcement agencies in your area.

What to do in the event of a power outage:

A power outage can be caused by a number of things: traffic accidents, damaged power lines, storms, high winds and natural disasters, like fires and earthquakes. If your power goes out, first check your circuit breaker or fuses. If everything is properly connected, call SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 to report the outage.

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Power Outage Preparedness

–Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies

– Know how to Shut Off Your Electricity Safely

– Know how to Keep Food Safe During an Emergency

– Keep at least ¼-½ tank of gas in your car at all times

– Charge mobile devices (cell phone, laptop, and other mobile devices) so they’ll have the maximum amount of battery power stored in the event of a power outage

– Choose the right backup generator

Source: ReadySanDiego

More emergency information

In the event of any emergency, always call 911 first.

To find more information regarding emergency services in San Diego County, visit readysandiego.org.

The FEMA emergency supply kit checklist is pictured in this undated graphic image.
KPBS Staff
The FEMA emergency supply kit checklist is pictured in this undated graphic image.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.