Californians Survive Latest Wildfire

Roofs are silhouetted against the burning hills north of Los Angeles. The fire was the worst in Los Angeles County history but careful planning and preparation kept the human toll low. Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis

Summary
• Disaster planning pays off in largest wildfire in L.A. County history.
• Agencies maintain list of homebound and frail elderly needing special assistance.
• Experts offer tips on making your own disaster plan.

The largest wildfire in Los Angeles County history destroyed more than dozens of homes and devoured thousands of acres this week. But thanks to years of disaster planning and preparation in this county of 10 million, no civilians died, although two firefighters lost their lives.

In California, a state prone to almost every imaginable natural disaster, planning and preparation are the watchwords for everyone.

At the Royal Oaks Manor community in the fire’s path, the staff made facemasks available to protect older residents who were breathing air filled with ash and smoke. And in case an evacuation was ordered, the staff also dusted off plans to move the 230 residents—contacting alternate providers for accommodations, hospital beds, nursing care, vehicles and drivers.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

A wall of flames lights up a hillside behind homes in La Crescenta, one of the communities where evacuation plans went smoothly due to years of planning.

“All of this has to be done in advance. You can’t just wait,” said Marc Herrera, vice president for risk management for parent company Southern California Presbyterian Homes.

Long before the first wisp of smoke rose from the Station fire north of Los Angeles, public officials, volunteers and private businesses had developed detailed plans and conducted multiple training exercises to ensure orderly and safe evacuations.

“When these kinds of incidents happen, we have training and systems in place to provide a unified command,” said Ken Kondo, spokesman for the Los Angeles County office of emergency management. “There is a gigantic and organized operation taking place right now.”

Kondo spoke from the command center established near the fire line shortly after the Station fire began on Aug. 26. From there, officials dispatched thousands of firefighters from across the nation to battle the blaze. Dozens of public employees and Red Cross volunteers also were on hand to coordinate the evacuations and other fire-related services.

With each evacuation order, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office launched its mass notification automated phone system to tell residents it was time to leave. Police and firefighters, as they always try to do, also drove through the neighborhoods, announced evacuation orders on loudspeakers and knocked on doors to alert residents.

Some residents chose to stay, despite the orders, and the governor’s office said three suffered injuries requiring hospitalization.

1 | 2 | 3