Annually, the first full week of May is known in California as “Wildfire Awareness Week”. This provides CAL FIRE the opportunity to highlight the importance of wildfire prevention and preparedness.
This year, with fires on the rise in California, CAL FIRE has launched a phone app to prepare individuals for the next wildfire. The app “CAL FIRE – Ready for Wildfire” can assist in preparing for a wildfire before it happens and alert you when a wildfire breaks out in your area. The main features of the app include tips and checklists to maintain your defensible space, to create an action plan, and to know what to do when a wildfire strikes.
This is an educational tool, but also an emergency alert system. When you add a location or multiple locations (city for your home, business, family, etc.), you can receive alerts on your phone when a wildfire strikes in the area. You can also have the phone track your location and receive alerts when a wildfire strikes in an area you are traveling in.
This app seems to be a viable tool to provide timely, helpful information and resources if you have to evacuate due to a wildfire.
The news release can be found on the following link:
http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2017/2017_App_RSG_Launch.pdf
The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store under Cal Fire. Additional information can also be found at www.readyforwildfire.org.
