This summer, wildfires have been raging through the state of California, leaving behind destruction and devastation as they continue to spread. California is entering a fifth year of drought, which puts our state at an increased risk for a devastating fire season (Yes, we seriously have a fire season). As a Southern California native, I have experienced the overwhelming fear that such fires bring with them. I have lived near some of California’s past wildfires, have been mandatorily evacuated from my home several times and have personally seen homes in my community burn to the ground. I remember sitting in a hotel room with my family after being evacuated and hearing that the fires were coming within a few miles of my house. I imagined my home, the place where almost all my childhood memories were created, being lost in unforgiving flames. I imagined the loss of all of my family’s belongings and started to remember all of the important things I had forgotten to take with me when we evacuated. I imagined the wall that my siblings and I had been measured on since we were toddlers being destroyed forever, and never being able to climb the trees in the backyard again. I was lucky those terrifying thoughts remained imaginary and that my home was not lost to those wildfires. Unfortunately, many California families this summer will not be as lucky. Within the past month alone, hundreds of families in California have faced the devastating reality of losing their homes to wildfires.

Due to the increasingly dangerous situation being created by wildfires this summer, Californians should all take the time to prepare themselves in case of sudden evacuations. While there is not a whole lot we can do to prevent these natural disasters from striking our state, we can be prepared so that in the event of a worst case scenario, we can quickly get the most important things out of our homes and get our loved ones to safety. Here are some things to consider and prepare for if wildfires are approaching your city.

1. Make a list of the most important things to bring if you had to evacuate your home.

This will help you to not forget the essentials and help you to be able to evacuate more quickly. You won’t be able to take everything from your home with you, as you will probably be limited to the extra space in your car. Focus on bringing with you the things that are irreplaceable, like photographs, journals, important documents (birth certificates, medical records, passports…etc), computer hard drives and home movies. A few more important things to bring with you are cell phone/charger, prescription medications, a change of clothes, credit cards, wallet and a three-day supply of food and water.

2. Keep your home organized so you can easily and quickly locate the things you need to bring with you.

Make sure you know where all of the things on your previously mentioned list are within your home and that they can be easily accessed. If you are in a zone that might end up getting evacuated, plan ahead and have everything packed and ready to go.

3. Make a plan of where you and your family will go if you are evacuated and how you will get there safely.

The safety of you and your family is more important than anything else. Remember that things are replaceable and people aren't, and make safety your biggest priority during an evacuation.

4. Don’t forget about your pets!

Make sure to evacuate your pets with you, and bring three days worth of food and water for them too. Have a plan in order to safely evacuate larger pets/livestock.

5. When you are leaving your home in an evacuation, make sure to shut off your gas and electric.

This is a very important safety measure that a lot of people overlook.

6. Keep an emergency kit in your car.

In case you are not able to return to your home before you must evacuate, keep a supply of food and water (protein bars work great), first aid supplies and a change of clothes in your car.

7. Take photos of each room of your house and of any important items in your home for insurance purposes.

This can help make sure you have an inventory on your home and everything inside of it so that you can verify your losses to your insurance company in case of fire damages.

These precautions and plans are worth your time and can truly make a huge difference in helping to keep Californians safe during wildfires.There is nothing more horrifying than watching your hometown go up in flames, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone suffering through devastating losses during this fire season. Also, a huge thank you to the thousands of brave firefighters who have been working around the clock these past weeks to help keep us safe. Your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed.