Wildfire evacuation

[trudyg]

When our neighbor's garage was on fire, the smoke blew right at my chicken yard. I just turned them out into the yard and they found clear air. Not like your situation, but animals are great at surviving.
One other recommendation for emergencies. Cash. For years, we've tucked a dollar or 5 into the console of the car, thrown it in the kitchen junk drawer, that sort of thing. When we needed cash in a hurry (tornado knocked out power, needed cash to pay our way for gas, etc) we had over $500 in1's and 5's. It adds up and you don't really notice. I also put change in empty medicine bottles. They usually hold $10 in quarters. That adds up, too.

 

[lcwmt]

When our neighbors had to evacuate in the wee hours that bitter cold night, they didn't have time to gather anything except the house pets.
Eyeglasses - nope
Medications - nope (she has Lupus so this was a major issue for a few days)
Paperwork - nope.
Cell phones - nope
This is an agricultural county with a small population. It was a hassle but they were able to get what they needed fairly quickly. But still...

It's a good idea to have a carefully considered plan. Sometimes you know you might have to evacuate. Sometimes there's no warning at all.

 

[Peppercorngal]

When our neighbor's garage was on fire, the smoke blew right at my chicken yard. I just turned them out into the yard and they found clear air. Not like your situation, but animals are great at surviving.
One other recommendation for emergencies. Cash. For years, we've tucked a dollar or 5 into the console of the car, thrown it in the kitchen junk drawer, that sort of thing. When we needed cash in a hurry (tornado knocked out power, needed cash to pay our way for gas, etc) we had over $500 in1's and 5's. It adds up and you don't really notice. I also put change in empty medicine bottles. They usually hold $10 in quarters. That adds up, too.

Good Point, you would need cash. We have a lock box and when we sold our Yurt for cash we threw the money in there. Along with medications, that box is on the list! It gets grabbed quickly!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Sunshine we are all pulling for you. Get back to us with an update when you can. I have a feeling you DID have to evacuate. Our channel 7 is a Redding channel and the coverage is on 24/7. I see the devastation and pray your place will be safe. Can't wait to hear from you.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I am absolutely devastated to announce this, just totally crushed. I'm here in the forums, offering help where I can and encouraging preparedness, but did I prepare for the inevitability of wildfire and evacuation?

NO.

When we saw a massive wall of fire crest a ridge behind our home and rapidly burn down that mountain, and heard exploding propane tanks like we were in a war zone, we stopped what we were doing, grabbed five of our eight cats, the four dogs, and evacuated.

And now in this extreme heat and with a fire storm raging out of control, my darling flock is there all by themselves. They have tons of water and food and some shade shelter, but stupid me should have left the gate open so they can shelter under the deck from the heat. They've been doing that all summer.

I called the sheriff's office and requested someone go and get our cats and chickens, or at least open the door to the chicken yard. But with thousands evacuating, that's not going to happen. Somehow, so far anyway, our teeny dead end road has escaped fire. I don't know how that's even possible.

I'm near Simmons Road off of Placer. You can look that up on a map if you're interested in tracking this fire. The entire road above Buenaventura has been blocked. If you leave, you can't go back.

Please pray for my animals. I let them down. I had time to do something, but based on what I was learning about the fire, we thought we had time to prepare. We didn't.

Thank you.

 

[janiedoe]

I am absolutely devastated to announce this, just totally crushed. I'm here in the forums, offering help where I can and encouraging preparedness, but did I prepare for the inevitability of wildfire and evacuation?

NO.

When we saw a massive wall of fire crest a ridge behind our home and rapidly burn down that mountain, and heard exploding propane tanks like we were in a war zone, we stopped what we were doing, grabbed five of our eight cats, the four dogs, and evacuated.

And now in this extreme heat and with a fire storm raging out of control, my darling flock is there all by themselves. They have tons of water and food and some shade shelter, but stupid me should have left the gate open so they can shelter under the deck from the heat. They've been doing that all summer.

I called the sheriff's office and requested someone go and get our cats and chickens, or at least open the door to the chicken yard. But with thousands evacuating, that's not going to happen. Somehow, so far anyway, our teeny dead end road has escaped fire. I don't know how that's even possible.

I'm near Simmons Road off of Placer. You can look that up on a map if you're interested in tracking this fire. The entire road above Buenaventura has been blocked. If you leave, you can't go back.

Please pray for my animals. I let them down. I had time to do something, but based on what I was learning about the fire, we thought we had time to prepare. We didn't.

Thank you.

God bless you and your pets.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I am absolutely devastated to announce this, just totally crushed. I'm here in the forums, offering help where I can and encouraging preparedness, but did I prepare for the inevitability of wildfire and evacuation?

NO.

When we saw a massive wall of fire crest a ridge behind our home and rapidly burn down that mountain, and heard exploding propane tanks like we were in a war zone, we stopped what we were doing, grabbed five of our eight cats, the four dogs, and evacuated.

And now in this extreme heat and with a fire storm raging out of control, my darling flock is there all by themselves. They have tons of water and food and some shade shelter, but stupid me should have left the gate open so they can shelter under the deck from the heat. They've been doing that all summer.

I called the sheriff's office and requested someone go and get our cats and chickens, or at least open the door to the chicken yard. But with thousands evacuating, that's not going to happen. Somehow, so far anyway, our teeny dead end road has escaped fire. I don't know how that's even possible.

I'm near Simmons Road off of Placer. You can look that up on a map if you're interested in tracking this fire. The entire road above Buenaventura has been blocked. If you leave, you can't go back.

Please pray for my animals. I let them down. I had time to do something, but based on what I was learning about the fire, we thought we had time to prepare. We didn't.

Thank you.

Sunshine, do not beat yourself up. Things happen and sometimes very unexpectedly. You did what you could, when you could do it. You would be surprised the resilience of animals to brave firestorms and survive. Lots of us here are pulling for you and praying for your home and now for your chickens & cats. Just remember that PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT than animals. Yes, we love our pets, but ultimately people are more important. It's better for you to be safe and alive than all your chickens put together. I hope you take this in the spirit it's given. You say "we"? I'm glad you are safe and the majority of your animals are too. Please continue to keep in touch. Prayer's continue.

 

[arrowti]

Don't be too hard on yourself. Animals can be incredibly crafty when it comes to situations like these. I hope you return to three cats and a healthy flock waiting. I've seen chickens do some amazing flying when their life/health counted on it.

The most important thing is that you are safe, and your family is safe. And you got a good number of your pets! (Personally I'm not sure what I'd do if I had to leave my cat behind. He's been my cat for 15 years..)

 

[Pensmaster]

Definitely praying that your house and animals stay safe. You let nothing down. Been praying for the entire Redding area. Stay safe.

 

[MoparGirl89]

Praying for you and your animals! Wildfires have a mind of their own. Hopefully your road stays untouched.