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California's wine country residents facing fire fatigue

California's wine country residents facing fire fatigue
Posted at 5:17 PM, Sep 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-30 18:05:06-04

Thousands of California's weary wine country residents are confronting yet another devastating wildfire.

The Glass Fire has scorched more than 66 square miles and destroyed about 95 structures. It's the fourth major fire in three years in the Napa-Sonoma area. The region is nearing the third anniversary of a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people. For many, seeing the blaze come over the iconic ridges was a painful reminder of the losses in 2017.

The sheriff acknowledged “fire fatigue." Further north, a wildfire burning in rural Shasta County has killed three people and destroyed nearly 150 buildings.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 8,100 wildfires that have burned well over 3.8 million acres in California, Cal Fire said.

This wildfire season has claimed the lives of 29 people after three more people died in the Zogg fire this week.

ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.

Emergency Supply Kit Checklist:

  • Face masks or coverings
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
  • Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions or special medications
  • Change of clothing
  • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Don’t forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

  • Easily carried valuables
  • Family photos and other irreplaceable items
  • Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
  • Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.