Wildfire Preparedness in Santa Monica

Wildfires are spontaneous, unpredictable and dangerous hazards that cause devastation to Californian lives, property and community. Each year, the state of California sees devastating impacts from wildfires which last for years. It is important for all communities to prepare for wildfires, even if you do not live within a high fire danger area. The City of Santa Monica does not face a significant wildfire threat, but it is possible that Santa Monicans may be affected by secondary impacts from fires within the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. If a wildfire occurs near the Santa Monica area, residents may be impacted by evacuations, freeway closures, utility disruptions, and poor air quality. Even if you are not in a wildfire area, we encourage everyone to prepare for wildfires. Here are some tips:

READY: Know the risk of places you visit and avoid these areas when under Red Flag conditions. Check the Fire Risk at your California camping sites or hiking trails at myhazards.caloes.ca.gov. When in areas with wildfire risk, have an escape plan with two evacuation routes out of the area.
SET: If a wildland fire threatens your area, prepare to leave. Always have a small disaster kit in your car and always travel with at least half a tank of gasoline. Sign up for emergency alerts in the areas that you frequent or travel to, especially if they are prone to wildland fires.
GO: Evacuate early or evacuate immediately when told to do so. Follow public safety official directions.

If you are going out into the mountains for a hike or camping, "Know, before you go." Prior to leaving home, check the status of the location you will be visiting to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, physical limitation and a sense of general safety can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. If wildfires are burning nearby, please cancel your visit. To gather more information about incidents within the area, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/incidents or www.lacounty.gov/emergency.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, please visit CAL Fire Prepare for Wildfire site: www.readyforwildfire.org.

Learn more about preparing for other Santa Monica hazards here.

FAQ

What is the difference between an Evacuation Order and an Evacuation Warning?

An Evacuation Order is designated when public safety officials declare an area to be unsafe due to an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order deems an area closed to public access and all persons within the designated area are required to leave and seek alternative shelter. Residents will not be allowed to access these areas, even to retrieve items out of their home.
An Evacuation Warning is the designation of an area which is potentially in the path of danger.

How do wildfires start?

There are many sources of ignition for wildfires, but most fires start due to human factors such cigarettes, automobiles, motorcycles, uncontrolled campfires and utility systems. Alternatively, wildfires can start based on embers flying from uncontrolled heat sources, lightning and refracted / reflected light.

What is a debris flow and why does the risk of a flood or debris flow increase after a wildfire?

Landscapes can be radically changed by a wildfire and areas once abundant with vegetation can be reduced to ashes and dry soil. The change leaves a noticeable mark on the land and is often referred to as a burn scar. These areas can be dangerous during rain events because the soil is unable to absorb the water, and even light to moderate rain events can lead to flooding and debris flows.

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides that generally occur during periods of intense rainfall. Debris flows traveling 35mph can carry large amounts of water and debris, including boulders, trees, and cars, downslope and outside the burn area. Debris flows can happen without notice; therefore it is important to know if you live near a burn scar prior to a rain event.

How do I prepare for the impact of wildfire smoke?

Wildfires are dangerous, but wildfire smoke can also harm you in multiple ways. Smoke emitting from local fires, can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. If you notice smoke in the area, ash, or local officials advise members of the public to take precaution, please do so as soon as possible.

Click here to monitor local air quality reports.
Close windows, doors, and other sources where smoke particles can enter your place of shelter.
Do not use devices that vent to the outdoors or have a fresh air intake. This may include bathroom and kitchen fans or air conditioners.
Do not rely on dust masks. Paper "comfort" or "dust" masks commonly found at hardware stores trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. An N95 mask, properly worn, will offer some protection. If you decide to keep a mask on hand make sure the mask has a tight seal around your nose and mouth.
Avoid or cancel outdoor recreation. The City of Santa Monica will cancel or limit programming during periods of elevated wildfire smoke. It is highly advised, that people refrain from conducting outdoor activities as much as possible, or utilize proper PPE such as N95 respirators.
Consider adding N95 masks and a portable air cleaner to your emergency kit. If you have chronic health conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about how to protect yourself against wildfire impacts.

How will I be notified of a wildfire in my area or smoke/unhealthy air quality hazards?

Sign up for SM Alerts to receive notifications about unhealthy air quality in Santa Monica during wildfire events and impacts to City programming. Click here to find more information.
If you travel or hike frequently in areas where there is wildfire risk, sign up for emergency alerts in the areas that you frequent, especially if they are prone to wildland fires. To find emergency mass notification systems across LA County, click here.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are emergency alerts pushed to cell phones, regardless of pre-registration. However, Wireless Emergency Alerts are sent to your cell phone's carrier for distribution; therefore, if you are not in cell phone range or do not have service, it is unlikely that you will receive a wireless emergency alert. Prior to going into areas without cell connectivity, share your trip with someone back at home. Let them know your path, camping location and expected return time (or date). Be extra mindful of red flag conditions, campfire and stove restrictions, and consider alternate plans when expected weather conditions begin to cause safety concerns.

When should I be concerned about air quality during a wildfire?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) divides air quality into six different levels. When the air quality is unhealthy for those in sensitive groups (Orange Level - AQI 101-150), persons with certain health conditions may want to take steps to reduce exposure to outdoor air. When smoke levels reach unhealthy levels (Red, Purple, Maroon levels - AQI +150) everyone should try to stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible. The City of Santa Monica will make changes to outdoor programming such as sports activities and the Farmers' Markets, if unhealthy air quality levels are met for an extended period of time. Use the Fire and Smoke map found here to monitor conditions.