Pinole, Hercules: 'Have Multiple Escape Routes From Your Home'

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County residents and homeowners concerned about the dangers of wildfire season have a new preparation guide available, written especially for them by East Bay firefighters, county officials said last week.

The "Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparation and Evacuation," prepared by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the sheriff's department, includes information about how to protect your home and assemble an emergency "go kit" for use in the event of a catastrophic
wildland fire.

There's also information about how to plan ahead, stay informed in the event of an emergency and how to evacuate if necessary.

Area residents are encouraged to identify at least two routes out of their home, neighborhood and community to ensure that they can still get out if hazardous conditions are blocking the exit.

County officials also urge residents to get to know their neighbors so individuals who may need assistance mitigating fire hazards on or near their properties can be helped to accomplish that task, with the goal of improving the overall safety of the neighborhood.

The guide contains tips for dealing with the extended power outages PG&E is planning to use this fire season to limit the extent to which their equipment can cause or contribute to fires, like the 2018 blaze in Paradise.

District Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said in a statement that two-thirds of the county falls into designated "wildfire severity zones."

"This guide will help every citizen prepare today to protect themselves, their family and neighbors from the wildfire that could happen tomorrow," Broschard said.

With months of fire season left to go, and a heat wave that struck the region last week, this guide concerns itself mostly with wildland fires - but county officials say the information it contains can also be helpful in the event of other natural disasters common in the area, like earthquakes.

The 16-page document is available online as a PDF, courtesy of county officials.

— Bay City News

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