WrightwoodCalif.com Forum

Public Forums => Disaster Awareness & CERT => Topic started by: DPW_HazardousTree on Sep 07, 06, 07:55:56 AM

Title: Disaster Evacuation Planning
Post by: DPW_HazardousTree on Sep 07, 06, 07:55:56 AM
I have noticed allot of questions concerning the use of Forest Service roads as an escape route.  A part of planning for disasters is to know your way out of an area.  However in events such as a fire, one thing that should always be remebered is conditions of the roads you plan on taking out.  Forest Service roads are generally small dirt trails leading through dificult terrain.  Please remeber when pre planning your escape routes that these roads can be very dangerous.  They are not designed for high traffic, and as discussed in other threads can be completely closed down by one vehicle.  Also in the event a fire does make its way over there, the amount of traffic on those roads would prevent Fire and Rescue personel from being able to get to that area, weather to fight fire, or affect a safe rescue of people trapped in those areas.  Weater you are an expeirenced driver on these roads or it is your first time it is a very big gamble to use these roads during an incident.  The safest bet is to plan ahead an know all escape routes, and when an incident does occur, know which would be the safest.  For a fire at hwy 138 and hwy 2 you probably would not want to use Hwy 2 as an escape route and so on.  Main roads while maybe slow, and packed can still allow you passage, and also allow emergency crews to you in the event something happens.  I cannot stress enough to learn your sarroundings and know all routes, but be cautious in choosing and always look for the safest route not the quickest.  Tim