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Wildfire Resources

Safety tips before and during wildfires

Wildfires can move quickly, so it’s vital to have an emergency plan in place.

At Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), we want to share resources to help you and others prepare and stay safe during wildfires.

Sign up for alerts

  • Sign up for free emergency alerts because wildfires can move quickly.
  • You can choose how to get alerts sent when you sign up, like cell phone, home phone, email, text messages, and TTY devices.

You can sign up for alerts and other emergency notifications from:

Make a plan

Wildfires may cause power outages, so have backup plans for electrical medical devices and medicines that must be refrigerated and have a battery-powered radio so you can hear emergency updates.

  • Get a map and plan exit routes (a way out) of where you live and work for road closures or unexpected changes.
  • Talk with your family and make an evacuation plan so you all know where to go if you need to leave.
    • Choose well-known places to meet up and practice getting there. These could be the home of a family member or friend or a store, library, or park.
    • If you have pets, think of animal-friendly places to meet.
  • Have a Go Bag packed with money, important documents, phones, medicines, and medical devices. Make sure to have things you need for babies, elders, people with medical needs, and pets.

If you take medications, read helpful tips to help you stay prepared in case of an emergency:

www.cdc.gov/prepare-your-health/take-action/prescriptions.html

Don’t wait, evacuate

Listen and watch for evacuation warnings and orders if a fire is burning near you.

If an evacuation warning is issued for your area, you should get ready to leave. If you need extra time to leave because of children, older adults, pets, and livestock, go during an evacuation warning.

An evacuation order means you need to leave right away. Don’t wait!

  • To find exit routes and safe shelters during a wildfire, call your local or county authorities.
  • Shelters are free; no one can ask you for ID. Call out before to see which shelters may better fit your needs.

If you become trapped by fire, call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are.

Monitor air quality

Wildfires affect air quality and can make it hard to breathe. Those with respiratory (breathing) conditions, like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), should:

  • Stay indoors and keep your windows closed.
  • Use your controller steroid inhalers as prescribed.
  • Use your quick-release inhalers to help with shortness of breath.
  • If you have oxygen use it.
  • If you have trouble breathing, turn on your central air conditioner (AC).
  • If you have a window AC unit, make sure the filter is clean.
  • Use fans in each room to help move the air in your house.

To learn more on how to manage asthma, COPD or other respiratory conditions, please call the Health Education Department at 1-805-437-5961, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays). If you use TTY call 711.

Be prepared