By Katie Tait The last time California saw so much rain in a month, it was in January 2015.
But that was because of a long drought, which has continued unabated.
This time, it’s much worse.
There are currently 8,742 wildfires burning in the state, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Of those, more than 2,100 are located in the Sierra Nevada and the southern Sierra.
But even if the state manages to maintain its fire-fighting capacity during the fire season, it could easily see more than 30,000 people evacuated and another 1.6 million homes destroyed in the next year.
So here’s a quick primer on what to do in California during this fire season.
Read more 1.
Stay hydrated While the fires are still raging, keep an eye on your water intake and make sure to refill it with water when you do go outside.
There’s a good chance your water bottle won’t last the whole day or longer.
So make sure you always have some water handy.
Also, be sure to use bottled water at least 3 times a day.
You don’t want to run out of water during the drought and this could save you from getting sick if you have a cold.
Also don’t forget to wash your hands after touching your teeth or using the bathroom.
2.
Get out of your cars, tents, and other flammable items Before you get on the move, make sure your vehicle is off the road and out of a fire-prone area.
Even if you do have your car parked, don’t leave it unattended in the open.
And don’t pack anything that can ignite in a fire.
You should only bring along your personal belongings and clothes that will be safe to wear in the event of a wildfire.
You’ll need these items to get to the evacuation centers in the future.
And it’s also important to pack your garbage and supplies that you may need for your trip.
3.
Avoid camping out at night This is an easy one to do.
Campfires are still burning in some parts of the state and many residents are considering taking a day or two off.
If you’re not comfortable staying in a house, you can take a walk through the area or get a place to stay in the mountains.
If that’s not an option, take a bus to one of the campsites and check it out.
If possible, you could try to get the bus to take you to the fire shelters in the area, but if you’re staying in your own home, it will likely be too crowded and difficult to get in.
If there are any fire-safe campsites, they should be close by. 4.
Get some help If you have an emergency, get help immediately.
If not, don and get help quickly.
There is a shortage of emergency medical personnel in the West and many people are trying to get back to work, and people need to stay away from the area.
But many people have lost their homes to the fires, and even if they’re lucky enough to find another place to live, the fires could burn down their property and they may need to move out.
For some, it might be safer to leave the area and wait until things calm down.
5.
Don’t bring pets and small pets to the evacuations If you don’t have a pet, you should bring your own pets and make it clear to your guests where they can and cannot bring pets.
If it’s a large pet, ask them to bring a dog or cat.
If your pet has a problem with heatstroke or a respiratory problem, it may be a good idea to get your pet into a shelter.
It’s important to let them know that you will be staying in the evacuation center.
6.
Avoid staying at the airport If you are flying out of the area for any reason, avoid the airport in California.
The fires are so intense and hot that even the most heavily damaged airplanes could be burned up in minutes.
And even if you can safely get your plane home, you may be leaving behind your belongings that will need to be evacuated and will likely require more time to be safely taken to shelters.
And if you are stranded at the airports, there are ways you can still be safe.
First, you don’s t need to take the plane.
There will be shelters, which will be ready to accommodate those that need them.
But the first step to taking off is getting a plane ticket and getting on the plane before the airport.
Also consider staying with friends and family that are already at the evacuation sites.
7.
Stay safe in your homes and in your communities If you live in a major city, you’ll want to stay put in your home, but you may also want to consider staying at a smaller house or in your community if it’s close to the city center.
Make sure to pack extra supplies to help protect your belongings in the case of a disaster.
8.
Avoid driving if you cannot get