Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District

Sheltering Your Home

Although not recommended, when evacuation orders are given, a person has the right to stay on their property if they so desire provided that in doing so that person IS NOT (1) hindering the efforts of fire personnel, or (2) contributing to the danger of the disaster situation. In fires or floods, people who wish to remain on site may be permitted to do so.

If you do not evacuate in time, or if you decide to stay with your home, the following suggestions will increase your chances of safely and successfully defending your property:

  • Evacuate your pets and all family members who are not essential to protecting your home.
  • Dress properly during a wildfire. Cotton and wool fabrics are preferred to synthetics. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, gloves, goggles, boots and a damp handkerchief to shield your face.
  • Remove all combustible items from around the exterior of your home including lawn and poolside furniture, umbrellas and tarp coverings. If these items are left outside they may catch fire; the added heat could ignite your home.
  • Close outside attic, eave and basement vents. This will eliminate the possibility of sparks blowing into hidden areas within the house. Close window shutters.
  • Place large plastic trash cans or buckets around the outside of the house and fill them with water. Soak burlap sacks, small rugs and large rags; these can be helpful in beating out burning embers or small fires.
  • Inside the house, fill bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water. Water from toilet tanks and water heaters can also be used.
  • Place garden hoses so they will reach any place around the house. A spray-gun type nozzle works best; adjust the nozzle to the spray position.
  • If you have portable gasoline-powered pumps to take water from swimming pools or tanks, make sure the pumps are operable and in place
  • Place an aluminum ladder against the roof of the house opposite the side of the approaching fire. If you have a combustible roof, wet it down.
  • Back your car in the garage, keeping the windows closed and keys in the ignition. Close all garage doors and disconnect the automatic garage door opener (so you can still remove your car in the event of a power failure).
  • Place valuable papers and mementos inside your car in the garage for quick departure, if necessary. Any pets still with you should also be put in the car.
  • Close windows and doors to the house to prevent sparks from blowing inside. Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft. Open the damper on your fireplace to help stabilize outside-inside pressure, but close the fireplace screen so sparks will not ignite the room.
  • Turn on a light in each room to make the house more visible in heavy smoke. Turn on porch and yard lights, as well.
  • Turn off pilot lights once the gas and propane have been turned off.
  • If you have time, take down your drapes and curtains. Close all Venetian blinds or fire resistive window coverings to reduce the amount of heat radiating into your home. This gives added safety in case windows give way to heat or wind.
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