Spokane firefighting teams are battling a rapid fire near Upriver Drive that has destroyed several homes and forced evacuations "to do now" in the area
the fire is moving near Upriver Drive which destroyed several houses and forced the evacuations "to go now" in the area.
Photo: / Getty Images
Tips to protect you from a trail of powder
Tips to protect yourself from a trail of powder
Photo: Fred Larson / The Chronicle
Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., Associated Press
If you have not received the order to evacuate, you can take some steps inside your home to protect yourself during a forest fire.
If you have not received the order to evacuate, you can take some steps inside your home to protect yourself during a forest fire.
Photography: Andreas-Joachim Lins / EyeEm / Getty Images / EyeEm
The first thing to do from the inside is to close everything: windows, doors, vents, blinds and curtains.
The first thing to do from the inside is to close everything – windows, doors, vents, blinds and curtains.
Photography: Enrique Monterrubio / EyeEm / Getty Images / EyeEm
Move all flammable furniture into the center of the house, away from sliding glass doors or windows.
Move all flammable furniture into the center of the house, away from sliding glass doors or windows.
Photo: Lori Van Buren
Turn off the gas on the meter. Turn off the night lights.
Shut off the meter's gas supply. Turn off the night lights.
Photo: Vstock LLC / Getty Images / Tetra RF Images
Make sure at least one light is on in each room. This will help firefighters with visibility in case of heavy smoke.
Make sure at least one light is on in each room. This will help firefighters with visibility in case of heavy smoke.
Photo: Getty Images
The first thing you can do on the outside to protect your home and yourself during a forest fire is to cover your attic or floor vents with commercial joints, or plywood.
The first thing you can do on the outside to protect your home and yourself during a forest fire is to cover your attic or floor vents with commercial joints, or plywood.
Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Move your patio furniture inside.
Move your patio furniture inside.
Photo: Turner Forte / Getty Images
Connect your garden hose to outdoor faucets.
Connect your garden hose to outdoor faucets.
Photo: Fred Larson, The Chronicle
If possible, install a fuel pump.
If possible, install a fuel pump.
Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press
Placing lawn sprinklers on your roof and wetting your roof will also help protect your home in the event of a forest fire.
Placing lawn sprinklers on your roof, and wetting your roof, will also help protect your home in the event of a forest fire.
Photo: TRACY HOBSON LEHMANN / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
If you are told to evacuate, do it immediately. Keep an eye on your animals. Make sure to wear protective clothing and shoes to protect yourself from fly ash and sparks.
If you are told to evacuate, do it immediately. Keep an eye on your animals. Make sure to wear protective clothing and shoes to protect yourself from fly ash and sparks.
Photo: Katharine Lotze, Associated Press
Call 911 if you find yourself trapped. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or other local alerting systems to be up to date on the situation.
Call 911 if you are trapped. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or other local alerting systems to be up to date on the situation.
Photo: Peter Byrne, AP
Make sure you have all your emergency supplies, which should include an N95 respirator. This will filter the dangerous particles in the air. Do not rely on ordinary dust masks.
Make sure you have all your emergency supplies, which should include an N95 respirator. This will filter the dangerous particles in the air. Do not rely on ordinary dust masks.
Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., Associated Press
If you are advised to stay indoors, close all windows and operate the air conditioner. If it's too hot to stay inside, look for another shelter.
If you are advised to stay indoors, close all windows and operate the air conditioner. If it's too hot to stay inside, look for another shelter.
Photo: Jae C. Hong, STF
Prepare your evacuation toolbox and resources in advance. A complete list of supplies can be found here. An easy way to think about your list is to remember the 5Ps of evacuation: people, ordinances, paper, personal needs and objects of inestimable value.
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Prepare your evacuation toolbox and resources in advance. A complete list of supplies can be found here. An easy way to think about your list is to remember the evacuation 5 P: people, ordinances, paper,
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Photo: Noah Berger, AP
Summary: If you are stuck in your home, take the following steps: 1. Call 911 2. Turn on the lights 3. Keep everything closed and the doors unlocked. 4. Fill sinks or bins with water. 5. Keep flammable materials away from windows and glass doors. 6. Stay clear of exterior walls and windows. less
Summary: If you are stuck in your house, follow these steps: 1. Call 911 2. Turn on the lights 3. Keep everything closed and the doors unlocked. 4. Fill sinks or bins with water. 5. Move flammable materials … more
Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., PA
If trapped in a vehicle: 1. Breathe through tissue. 2. Cover yourself with a coat, a blanket of wool and even dirt. 3. Try to stay away from fuel sources and if you can, be near a water source.
If trapped in a vehicle: 1. Breathe through tissue. 2. Cover yourself with a coat, a blanket of wool and even dirt. 3. Try to stay away from fuel sources and if you can, be near a water source.
Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., PA
Wildfires can occur anywhere and ignite in seconds. FEMA has a very comprehensive explanatory note on everything related to wildfires that you can find here. The California Department of Public Health also has more resources here.
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Wildfires can occur anywhere and ignite in seconds. FEMA has a very comprehensive explanatory note on everything related to wildfires that you can find here. The California Department of
… more
Photo: Paul Kitagaki Jr., PA