Welcome to High Knob
A Guide to Evacuating Safely
for the High Knob Community
Wildfire
For many people, the words “wildfire” and “Virginia” might not seem to go together, but wildfire risk is a genuine concern. Each year, about 1,600 wildfires consume a total of 8,000 – 10,000 acres of forest and grassland in the state. During extreme drought related conditions these numbers may double. However fires don’t need to be large to be devastating, for every 10 acres that burn in Virginia, a home or other structure is damaged or would have been had it not been for the responders with the forestry and fire departments.
Local Conditions
A wildfire can ignite your home through radiation, convection or firebrands. These three ignition sources need to be understood in order to make your home and the surrounding area less susceptible to ignition.
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A house can ignite when exposed to very high temperatures even if the flames do not come in direct contact with the structure. This is called radiation heat transfer. Ignition of your home by radiation is more likely when it is exposed to a very large fire within close range for a sustained period of time. By clearing large trees and heavy brush, and choosing building materials that can withstand high temperatures, your home is less likely to ignite by radiant heat transfer.
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Ignition of a house by convective heat transfer requires the fire to come in direct contact with the structure. Even a very small flame can ignite a house if it comes in contact with the house for a long enough period of time. By clearing even small amount of vegetation, choosing nonflammable siding and deck material, and building on a minimal slope, your home is much less likely to ignite by convective heat transfer.
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Firebrands are pieces of burning materials that detach from a fire and are carried by the wind. Severe wild land fires can produce heavy firebrand showers that can travel large distances (one mile or more). The chance of a firebrand igniting your home will depend on the size of the firebrand, and the materials, design and construction of your home. By choosing a fire rated roof and nonflammable siding and deck material, you can reduce the risk of your house igniting from firebrands.
Even with all of the mitigation efforts underway, the risk of uncontrolled wildfire is at historical proportions.
Click to learn: How to Prepare Your Home For Wildfires and
Is Your Home Safe From A Wildfire
Take personal responsibility for your own safety:
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Develop an Evacuation Plan
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Assemble an Evacuation Kit
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Develop a Neighborhood Network
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Practice your Evacuation Plan
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Stay Informed
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Evacuate when told to do so
Develop an Evacuation Plan
Your Evacuation Plan should be simple enough to be followed when under stress, detailed enough to cover key elements and understood by everyone in your household.
Identified evacuation routes for the High Knob Community are:
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High Knob Road
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Massanutten Mountain Road
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Salt Lick Road (this road is the gated emergency road into Mosby Mountain Estates)
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Appalachian Walking Trail (off of Skyline View Drive)
The evacuation routes determined by authorities will be dependent upon many factors including which way the wildfire is moving. Primary evacuation routes are included as a map attached to this booklet.
Emergency Response equipment will utilize the paved road to respond to the wildfire and/or emergency.
Emergency Evacuation Map
When to Evacuate
You should evacuate:
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When you become aware of an approaching wildfire / emergency
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Feel threatened
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When public safety officials advise you to leave the area
Keep in mind that wildfires starting in mountainous areas or in the valley communities may quickly threaten the community.
When time allows, evacuation orders will be provided by WFTR Radio 95.3 FM, WFTR Radio 1140 AM, as well as the law enforcement public address systems.
Keep your car fuel tank at least ½ full at all times and be sure your vehicle is in good working order at all times.
Identify shut-off valves for home and outbuildings:
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Electricity
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Gas
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Water
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LPG or Propane
Identify a family meeting place:
A family meeting place should be someplace that is:
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A temporary place to assemble before moving on to an evacuation center
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Safely outside of the evacuation area
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Doesn’t interfere with emergency response activities
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Easily traveled to by family members
Remember family members may be coming from different locations such as work, school, appointments, home or other locations. If unable to reach home, all family members must have a place to meet and regroup.
How to Evacuate when told to do so
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Listen to your car radio or battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
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Park your vehicle facing outward and place your keys in the ignition.
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Locate all family members and pets to prepare for evacuation.
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Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. Wear 100% cotton clothing to
include long sleeve shirt, long pants and hat. Have goggles available in case of winds or flying fire embers and a dry bandana or handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose.
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Place your evacuation lit in your car.
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Place a ladder outside for roof access for firefighters.
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Place a connected garden hose and buckets of water around the outside of the house.
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Assemble firefighting tools near the house, including: shovel, metal rake, hoe, etc.
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Remove propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
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Remove all combustible material such as lawn and patio furniture, doormats and decorations from around the perimeter of your house.
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Remove combustible window furnishings from around all windows.
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Leave lights on in the house and doors unlocked.
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Leave windows closed and heating/air conditioning off.
Evacuate immediately if told to do so!
Evacuate when you become aware of an approaching wildfire.
Evacuate if you feel threatened.
Evacuate before it becomes too late!
Identify Evacuation Center Locations:
Evacuation Center Locations will be determined by public safety officials and possibly the American Red Cross at the time of the evacuation. Locations will be based upon the location of the wildfire, evacuation routes used and numbers of evacuees anticipated.
Evacuation Center Locations will be announced on public radio at the time of the fire or you may contact:
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Warren County Fire Department – Fire Information Line at 540-636-3473
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Warren County Emergency Operations Center at 540-636-3830
Faith Baptist Church has been identified as a temporary evacuation location for High Knob.
Contact person is Larry Andrews
540-622-3412 or 540-622-3412
Identify an Out of Area Emergency Contact:
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Someone out of the telephone area code or out of state
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Available to receive calls and pass messages
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Everyone needs to know the contact’s phone number
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Cordless phones will not work in a power outage, always maintain an older style plug-in telephone in your home
During a major emergency or disaster, local telephone circuits may be over loaded whereas long distance circuits remain accessible. Identify a relative or friend who lives out of the area (out of the area code or even out of state) who can be used to check in with or pass messages back and forth to your immediate family members that may have gotten separated from you during the evacuation.
Are there any special considerations for evacuations and care needed for members of your Family?
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Elderly, Children and Infants
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Dependent Adults
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Persons with special needs such as medical and mental special care
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Pets
Special needs populations require special evacuation assistance. Special needs populations are those persons that cannot evacuate themselves without assistance. Don’t rely on public safety agencies to evacuate you, your family or pets. Work with your neighbors to develop the assistance that you or they may need during an evacuation. Identify those living alone or those needing special assistance and plan today how you will evacuate them during an emergency.
Develop an Evacuation Kit
An evacuation kit should be readily available and visible at all times, updated frequently and located near the front door of your house or in your car.
Items to include in your Evacuation Kit include:
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Change of clothes and underwear
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Extra pair of glasses or contacts
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Any over the counter medications that you take somewhat regularly
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Several days’ worth of prescription medication (along with copies of your prescription or a drug info insert)
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Small toiletries bag with a comb & brush and travel-size containers of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, contact lens solution, other personal items.
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FYI Sheet, if you have any special medical needs or allergies and an emergency contact number
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Contact list or directory of important personal & business phone numbers
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Small first aid kit
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Extra charger for your cell phone
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Small portable radio w/extra batteries
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Name, address & phone number of emergency shelter assigned
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Important papers: wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks & bonds (unless these are stored off site & a list of these items and where they are stored should be kept)
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Passports, social security cards & immunization records (unless these are stored off site & a list of these and where they are stored should be kept)
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Bank account numbers
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Credit card account numbers and company addresses
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Inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers
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Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
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Cash
Preparing your pets:
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Copy of pet vaccinations including vet’s name & phone number
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Any medications you pet may be taking
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Identify boarding facilities, veterinarians or hotels outside of the affected areas that can accept pets. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
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Pet-friendly shelters may be opened during an evacuation. This information will be available at shelter information points.
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Create a disaster readiness kit for your pet including food, water, first aid supplies, feeding dished, leashes, carrier, blanket, etc
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Make sure all family members are aware of these preparations.
These lists may also be good to help prepare an emergency kit to carry in your car if you travel long distances, especially during bad weather.
Develop a Neighborhood Network
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Work with neighbors to identify people with special needs and people who need transportation to the evacuation center.
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Work with neighbors to coordinate the evacuation of pets.
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Work with neighbors to identify utilities that may require shutting down in your absence.
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Work with neighbors to identify those protective actions that are required around your home when wildfire approaches.
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Work with neighbors to develop a neighborhood communication plan, which includes a telephone notification tree to notify others in case of an emergency or evacuation.
You may not always be at home during times of wildfires. You need your neighbors to help protect your family, pets and house in your absence.
Practice Evacuation Plan
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Quiz your children periodically so they remember what to do in case of wildfire/emergency.
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Conduct regular fire and emergency drills.
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Become familiar with evacuation routes so you know the emergency travel routes and road conditions.
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Maintain your evacuation kit with fresh batteries, food, water and important family documents.
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Be sure that all visitors and guests know and understand your evacuation plan and evacuation routes.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Repetition breeds the automatic response you will need when having to act under stress during emergencies.
Stay Informed
Stay informed on current weather and fire threats.
National Weather Service, Sterling Virginia Telephone: 703-260-0107 – follow prompts
Web Link: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/er/iwx
Virginia Department of Forestry Weather Info Page
Web Link: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/weather.shtml
Stay informed on current emergency plans and preparations.
Woodstock Fire Protection District Telephone:
540-459-3151
Warren County Fire and Rescue Linden Volunteer Fire Department Telephone:
540-636-3473
Office of Emergency Services Telephone:
540-636-3830
Warren County Communication Center
Telephone: 540-635-4128
Dial 9-1-1 for Emergencies
The Evacuation Process
Officials will determine the areas to be evacuated and the routes to use depending upon the fire’s location, fire behavior, wind, terrain, etc.
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Law enforcement agencies are typically responsible for enforcing and evacuation order. Follow their directions promptly and exactly!
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You will be advised of potential evacuations as early as possible. You must take the initiative to stay informed and aware.
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Listen to your radio/TV and for announcements from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
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You may be directed to a temporary assembly area off the mountain to await transfer to an evacuation center.
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When heavy smoke reduces visibility, movement may be restricted only to escorted convoys.
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Always drive cautiously!
Returning Home
Officials will determine when it is safe for you to return to your home. This will be done as soon as possible with primary consideration given safety and accessibility.
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Local officials will follow a Re-Entry Plan in working towards getting you back into your neighborhood.
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This will typically take place when it is safe for you, safe for emergency personnel, safe for utility workers and routes are open and accessible.
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Prior to re-entry utilities will need to be repaired and in service, septic
systems will need to be repaired, running water will need to be available and essential services will need to be available such as gas, medical services and food.
These things take time. BE PATIENT. The safety of you and the safety of emergency service personnel are the priority.
When you do return home:
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Be alert for downed power lines and other hazards.
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Check propane tanks, regulators and lines before turning gas on.
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Check your residence carefully for hidden embers or smoldering fires.
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Contact your insurance company if you have suffered loss or damage.
Emergency Procedures If Wildfire Approaches
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If you see a wildfire, call 9-1-1. Don’t assume that someone else has already called. Describe the location of the fire, speak slowly and clearly and answer any questions asked by the dispatcher.
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Evacuate when wildfire approaches, you feel threatened, or if directed by public safety officials. Check with local radio and television stations for evacuation instructions and information. Once the evacuation order is given, please follow all directives from fire and law enforcement personnel. Evacuate your pets and all family members who are not essential to preparing your home. Anyone with medical or physical limitations and the young and the elderly should be evacuated immediately.
BEFORE THE FIRE APPROACHES YOUR HOUSE
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Park vehicles facing out with windows rolled up and keys in the ignition.Disconnect any automatic garage door openers so that doors can still be opened by hand if the power goes out. Close all garage doors.
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Place your evacuation lit and important valuables in your vehicle. Place valuable papers, mementoes and anything “you can’t live without” inside the car, ready for quick departure. Any pets still with you should also be put in the car right before leaving.
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Shut Off Gas. Shutoff any natural gas, propane or fuel oil supplies at the source.
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Close outside attic, eaves and basement vents, windows, doors, pet doors, etc.
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Remove any combustible items from around the house, including woodpiles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, newspapers or doormats, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.
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Place a garden hose and buckets full of water around your house. Connect garden hoses. Fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs or other large containers with water. Please do not leave any water hoses or sprinklers on when you leave your residence; this reduces the available water to fight the fire. If you have gas-powered pumps for water, make sure they are fueled and ready.
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Place aluminum ground ladders outside your house for firefighting use.
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Close Inside. Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft. Open the damper on your fireplace, but close the fireplace screen. Remove flammable drapes and curtains. Close all shutters, metal blinds or heavy non-combustible window coverings to reduce radiant heat.
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Leave electricity on. Turn on outside lights and leave a light on in every room to make the house more visible in heavy smoke. Turn off heating and air conditioning.
PREPARING TO LEAVE
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Don’t Lock Up. Leave doors and windows closed but unlocked. It may be necessary for firefighters to gain quick entry into your home to fight fire. The entire area will be isolated and patrolled by sheriff’s deputies or police.
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Cover up by wearing 100% cotton long pants, long sleeved shirt, boots (leather preferred), goggles, hat and bandana for your face.
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Notify your out of area contact of your intended evacuation destination.
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Leave a note attached to your front door for neighbors and public safety officials advising of your evacuation destination and telephone number if available.
If You Become Trapped – Stay Calm
Survival in a Vehicle:
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This is dangerous and should only be done in an emergency, but you can survive the firestorm if you stay in your car. It is much less dangerous than trying to run from a fire on foot.
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Roll up windows and close air vents. Drive slowly with headlights on. Watch for other vehicles and pedestrians. Do not drive through heavy smoke.
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If you have to stop, park away from the heaviest trees and brush. Turn headlights on and ignition off. Keep windows rolled up and air vents closed.
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Get on the floor and cover up with a wool or 100% cotton blanket or coat.
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Stay in the vehicle until the main fire passes. Do not run!
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Air currents may rock the car.
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Some smoke and sparks may enter the vehicle.
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Temperature inside will increase.
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Metal gas tanks rarely explode.
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Engine may not restart.
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Use your cell phone to call 9-1-1 and notify officials of your situation and location.
While on Foot:
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The best temporary shelter is in a sparse fuel area. On a steep mountainside, the backside is safer. Avoid canyons, natural “chimneys” and saddles.
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If a road is nearby, lie face down along the road cut or in the ditch on the uphill side. Cover yourself with anything that will shield you from the fire’s heat.
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Seek a depression with sparse fuel. Clear fuel away from the area while the fire is approaching and then lie down in the depression and cover yourself. Stay down until after the fire passes!
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Cover mouth and nose and cover up your body with cotton clothing or a large cotton coat or blanket.
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Use your cell phone to call 9-1-1 and notify officials of your situation and location.
While at home:
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Keep your family together.
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Call 9-1-1 to notify officials of your situation and location.
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Fill sinks and tubs with cold water.
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Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked.
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Stay inside your house.
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Stay away from outside walls and windows.
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If your house catches fire, move to the far end of the house and close windows and inside doors to restrict the spread of the fire. When it is safe to do so, exit your house and move to a “blackened” area of your property or neighborhood that has already burned. It is safer to be in an area that has already burned than area not yet burned. It will get hot in the house, but this is much safer than being outside and exposed to flames and dangerous fire gases.
After the fire passes:
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Check your family and neighbors.
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Check roof and exterior of house for fire.
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Check under decks and inside attic for fire.
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Check your yard for burning trees, woodpiles (Between pieces of firewood), etc.
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Extinguish embers and sparks. The water you put into your pool or hot tub and other containers will come in handy now. If the power is out, try connecting a hose to the outlet on your water heater.
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Continue to check for fires, embers and sparks for at least 12 to 24 hours after the fire has passed.