Wildfire Resources

Hey there Treehouse Students -

My name is Emily, and I am on the Treehouse team. As you may know our HQ is in Portland, OR but we’re a remote team with several team members living in areas impacted by wildfires. We pulled together some resources that we thought we should share with you as well.

As wildfires and consequent evacuations are happening in the western United States, we wanted to provide some resources and information for students who may be impacted. Your safety (physical and psychological) is of the utmost importance to us. First and foremost, we want to acknowledge that this is stressful - in a year where we are already feeling intense stressors.

Stress is understandable and a normal response to this situation. Please take care of your mental health through this event and call for assistance if you need someone to talk to. This organization will help you know when assistance might be needed for you or those in your care, including access to free disaster related counseling services: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

It’s important to stay in the know as these situations can change and escalate quickly.

Emergency Alerts and Response:

All States:

+Active fire mapping for the USA: https://fsapps.nwcg.gov/

+Active fire mapping by state thttps://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/state/

+Text your zip code to 888777 for localized updates regarding evacuations, etc.: https://www.nixle.com/zipcode_reg/

+Find open Red Cross Shelters here: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

+FEMA wildfire tips and resources: https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

+11 Ways to Donate to West Coast Wildfire Victims: https://www.thesimpledollar.com/insurance/home/11-ways-to-donate-to-west-coast-wildfire-victims/

+Twitter alerts: @NIFC_Fire

Arizona

+Arizona Wildfire Map: https://www.wildfireaz.com/

+Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/wildfire-news

+Twitter alerts: @wildlandfireAZ

California

+California Wildfire Map: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/

+For preparedness and safety information: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/

+Twitter alerts: @Cal_Fire

Colorado

+Colorado Wildfire Map: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/

+Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc/wildfire-information-resource-center

+Twitter alerts: @COWildfireInfo

Idaho

+Idaho Fire Map: https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/

+Twitter alerts: @BLMIdahoFire

Oregon

+This map is updated every 5 minutes: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6329d5e4e13748b9b9f7f33f06a3c376/

+Multnomah County Public Health resources: https://multco.us/air-quality-public-health-problem/september-2020-wildfire-threat-multnomah-county

+Oregon Wildfire Resources: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/

+Sign up for Public Alerts here: https://www.publicalerts.org/signup

+Twitter alerts: @OSFM

+Evacuation Points in Oregon Cities: https://twitter.com/RedCrossCasc

Utah

+Utah statewide wildfire information: https://utahfireinfo.gov/

+Twitter alerts: @UtahWildfire

Washington

+Information on Washington Wildfires: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Wildfires

+Updates via Twitter can be found @waDNR_fire

+Washington Burn Risk Map: https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/

Preparedness:Packing a “Go Bag”

Basic Survival Items

+Water (for consumption and for cleaning) and Bleach

-1 gallon of water per person/animal per day for 14 days is recommended

-Tips on using bleach safely to treat water can be found here: https://www.regionalh2o.org/emergency-preparedness

+Shelter and Warmth (Tents, blankets, sleeping bags)

+Clothing (shoes that are sturdy and easy to move in, masks for smoke and covid)

+Non-perishable foods and snacks (don’t forget your pets!)

+Include a can opener for those canned goods!

+First Aid Supplies

+Matches for starting up a grill

Critical Personal Items

+Your Emergency Plan (learn how to make a comprehensive plan here: https://www.publicalerts.org/get-ready/make-plans)

+Prescription medications and glasses

+Personal Hygiene items (body wipes can be especially helpful)

+Personal and Financial Documents (including insurance)

+Emergency Toilet Options: https://rdpo.net/emergency-toilet

+Infant Care Items: https://www.publicalerts.org/get-ready/include-children

+Pet Care Items: https://www.publicalerts.org/get-ready/plan-for-animals

Other Important Items

+Flashlight and extra batteries

+Torch

+Wool Blanket (pure wool for fire/heat protection)

+AM/FM Radio

+Cell phone charger and charging blocks

+Whistle

+Tools and gloves

+Cash

+Local Maps, Pen and Paper

+Entertainment

Other helpful tips

+Fill up your gas tank and make sure it's at least ¾ full until all fires are extinguished.

+Make a list of things you don’t want to leave without by the door. It’s easy to forget in a frenzy.

+If you have school aged children in your care, keep a separate go bag with their distance learning materials ready. This will help them have structure and feel safer.

+Take a video of everything in your home, including contents of all closets, drawers, refrigerators, etc. Walk around your property and verbally talk through the landscape for a record.

+Turn off your propane tanks (if you have them) before you go.

+Throw away everything in your fridge/freezer before you go and take out the trash. If you’re evacuated your power will likely be shut off and this will keep you from returning to a smelly mess.

+If your address is not current on your ID make sure to keep a copy of your utility bill with your important documents to show residency for FEMA, etc.

+Contact your insurance agent now and start your claim. Most home and renters insurance will cover 2 weeks of food, lodging, and supplies while under mandatory evacuation.

+Before you go, seal and shut all windows and doors. Make sure to close or wrap any AC units to help reduce smoke damage.

+If you can, self evacuate early. Follow your gut to stay safe. Fires can move quickly, and roads will be heavy with traffic upon a mandatory evacuation.

+Keep a cooler of non perishable drinks and snacks in your car (don’t forget snacks for your pets!).

+Withdraw a bit of cash to keep on your person. You don’t want to be stuck in a new place with charges that cause a fraud alert to lock up your access to funds.

+Place signs on your property if you have a water supply for emergency crews to access.

+Leave a note on your door so emergency crews know you have evacuated the property.

Upon return:

+When you get back home, do not sweep or blow the ash. This can create a toxic air quality and blow hot embers. Instead use a hose to wet down the ash and wet paper towels.

+Replace all filters in your home and car.

+Activated charcoal or charcoal blocks will help absorb the smokey smell.

Want to help?

For those of us outside of the area of impact that wish to help through donation, we thank you. For a list of verified disaster relief organizations, please visit Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD). ORVOAD organizations include the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Salvation Army, Northwest Baptist Disaster Relief, and the Wildland Firefighters Fund. We also recommend Keep Oregon Green.