Step 1 of Plan. Prepare. Protect

Plan.

A wildfire action plan tells everyone in your household what to do, where to go, and what to bring before an evacuation order comes.

Local wildfire readiness

Planning Ahead
Saves Time

During wildfire season, a Red Flag Warning or a sudden Santa Ana wind event can turn a small fire into an evacuation within hours. When an order is issued, there is little time to gather documents, load pets, or decide where to meet. Many Valley Center households also care for horses, goats, and other large animals that require extra time to move. A plan prepared in advance turns a stressful moment into a clear, familiar checklist.

DID YOU KNOW?

When wildfire conditions change quickly, a familiar household plan turns uncertainty into action.

YOUR LOCAL SUPPORT TEAM

How the Council
Helps You Plan

Green CERT Community Emergency Response Team backpack with hard hat, reflective safety vest, gloves, goggles, knee pads, and flashlight.

The council supports Ready-Set-Go workshops and CERT training that walk residents through building a household plan. We also share the Valley Center Fire Protection District’s Ready-Set-Go Wildfire Preparedness Guide at community events.

mEET THE VOLUNTEERS BEHIND THIS WORK

your practical action guide

Build Your Plan

Start with these six tasks. Every one helps your household move faster and more safely.

Know your zone

Look up your evacuation zone in Genasys Protect and subscribe to it.

Find your zone

Sign up for alerts

County of San Diego and Alert San Diego logos displayed together on a white background.

Register with Alert San Diego and keep phone alerts on.

See all alert tools

Pack a go bag

Flat lay of essential emergency survival kit items including first aid and water bottles.

Water, medications, important documents, chargers, a change of clothes, and N95 masks for each person.

Plan for animals

Smiling brown dog on a leash with a forest and lake in the background, sunny day.

Carriers, leashes, feed, and a trailer plan for large animals. Move livestock early, at the first warning.

Pick a meeting place

Close-up of a hand pointing at a detailed map, outdoors, wearing a striped shirt.

Choose a spot outside the area and an out-of-area contact everyone can call.

Follow official orders

Four emergency response personnel standing in uniform beside a red fire rescue pickup truck outdoors.

Leave when told to, and use the routes officials give you. Do not wait to see the fire.

Take the guides with you

VC Ready-Set-Go Guide

download

CAL FIRE Ready for Wildifre

Visit Site

Additional Planning

Plan for Power
Shutoffs

During high winds and dry weather, SDG&E may turn off power to reduce the risk of a wildfire starting from electrical equipment. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs can last a day or longer, so include them in your household plan

Notifications

Sign up at sdge.com/notifications for advance notice when possible.

Backup Power

Keep flashlights, extra batteries, and charged power banks for phones and radios.

Medical Needs

If someone relies on powered medical equipment, arrange a backup source or a place to stay. SDG&E support programs

Garage Access

Know your garage door’s manual release so you can open it without power.

Generator safety

Operate generators outdoors only, away from windows and doors.

Next / Step 02

Prepare

Your plan is ready. Now make your property harder for fire to reach.

Go to Prepare