How to Stay Safe as Fires Sweep Southern California

A nightmare has been unfolding in Southern California this week as several out-of-control fires burn across the region, sending tens of thousands of people scrambling to escape as heavy winds spread blazes in unpredictable ways.

If you are in affected areas, here are some tips to help you stay safe:

Sign up for emergency alerts

An easy way to monitor the spread of fires, including which areas are under evacuation orders, is to check for updates on California’s statewide fire agency website, where maps of each fire are regularly updated. Check Cal Fire’s website here. The state also sends emergency notifications during fires or other disasters, which you can sign up for here.

If you live or work in Los Angeles County, you can also sign up to receive countywide emergency alerts by text, email or phone call. You can also enroll in alerts that are specific to your city or neighborhood, using the options available at the bottom of this page.

You can register for countywide emergency notifications from Ventura County, the neighboring county where fires have also erupted this week amid extremely heavy winds. Those alerts will help you stay in the loop not just during fires, but also in the event of an earthquake or other disasters.

The app Watch Duty is another option to follow real-time updates on fires. The app uses a network of retired firefighters and dispatchers who monitor radio broadcasts from emergency responders to quickly send updates. It also has a real-time map showing the intensity and spread of the fires.

Avoid dirty air

Wildfires create smoke that can have serious health ramifications for people as far as 100 miles from the flames — even if they can’t see or smell smoke nearby. Health experts say that there is most likely no safe level of exposure to wildfire smoke, which can trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Keep an eye on AirNow.Gov for a measure of your local air quality. Fire.airnow.gov also has a helpful map of fire and smoke patterns and how they are influencing air quality.

If the air quality in your neighborhood is poor, or if it is moderate but you are at high risk, try to limit the amount of time you spend outside as much as possible. If you must go outside, wear an N95 mask — a surgical mask isn’t enough to filter out all smoke particulates, experts say.

Indoors, make sure all the windows in your home are tightly shut, and run air purifiers if you have them, as they can help filter particles from the air.

Here is more on how to make your home as safe from pollution as possible.

Pack a ‘go bag’

When a fire is fast approaching, there usually isn’t time to assemble a bag with everything you might need to be away from home for a few nights. So be sure to pack a bag in advance.

In a backpack or other easy-to-grab kit, you’ll want a change of clothes, a first-aid kit, a flashlight and an extra set of car keys. It’s also recommended that you keep a three-day supply of food and water.

The New York Times has additional guidance on what to put in your emergency bag.

Check for school closures

The Times is tracking which school districts are canceling classes this week, either because of evacuations, winds or smoke-choked air. You should also check with your child’s school or school district to see whether they will be open.

On Wednesday, at least 18 of the 80 school districts in Los Angeles County announced that schools would close for the day. Many urged parents to take precautions as the fires continued to rage and strong winds affected the area.

Find an evacuation shelter

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has set up an easy way to find a shelter near you. Text “SHELTER” and then your ZIP code to 43362.

Los Angeles County has also set up a number of shelters:

• Westwood Recreation Center, at 1350 Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, Calif. 90025

• El Camino Real Charter High School, at 5440 Valley Circle Boulevard, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

• Pasadena Civic Center, at 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, Calif. 91101

Officials also recommend two shelters for animals. One is for small animals: the Agoura Animal Care Center, at 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, Calif. 91301. The other is for large animals: Los Angeles Equestrian Center, at 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, Calif. 91506.

Protect your pets from the smoke

Whether residents are in areas directly touched by the fires or on the edges of the smoke perimeter, they should refrain from taking their pets outside while smoky conditions remain, local veterinarians warned.

The greatest concern is the potential for lung damage, said Andrew Grussendorf, a veterinarian in Fallbrook, a town in nearby San Diego County. Pets can be just as negatively impacted by smoke inhalation as humans, he said.

And owners who are evacuating or close to flames should make sure to transport their animals off the ground to avoid burning their paws, Dr. Grussendorf said.

If you think that you may need to evacuate with your pet, the National Fire Protection Association recommends you pack a “go bag” in advance that includes ownership and vaccination records, collars and leashes, medications, and food.

The group also suggests bringing photos of you with your pet in case your animal becomes lost and you need to prove you are the owner. It also suggests making sure your pet’s identification tag has your phone number and address — but also a relative’s phone number in case your own cellphone goes out of service.

Eli Tan and Rachel Nostrant contributed reporting.