by Mary E. Lago, CFP®, CTFA
Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management
Wealth Management Chair
News of western wildfires are dominating the headlines. Many of us who thought we were not at risk of being evacuated from our homes now have a heightened awareness of how important it is to plan for the unexpected. For those who have left their homes, lost property, or in a state of uncertainty − our hearts with you during this historic moment for the West. For others who are on alert to be evacuated, confined to the indoors due to air quality or far from any fire activity – now is the time to think about this important topic.
Photo Credit: AP Photographer Noah Berger
Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing do not claim emergency preparedness expertise and fully recognize the emotional and financial toll fires have on families and communities. Many of our clients and colleagues are currently affected with evacuations of family members. In 2018, my parents’ home and the entire community of Paradise in northern California was lost in the Camp Fire. In an effort to help us all access important resources during these hectic times, we have compiled the following list of reminders and links. We hope that these resources will help you better prepare for our current and future fire seasons:
Sign up for alerts: For those in the Portland-Vancouver area visit https://www.publicalerts.org/signup to sign up for alerts regarding evacuation notices, air quality updates and other notifications. Outside of this area, search your county name and “emergency alerts” to find websites where you can sign up to receive text, phone and/or email alerts.
Monitor fire activity and evacuation zones: The following resource shows current fires, allows you to search addresses and get up-to-date information for Oregon.
https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx
Review wildfire evacuation checklists: The following evacuation checklists may be helpful in preparing you home and family should you need to evacuate.
https://www.livingwithfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Evacuation-Checklist-2020-one-page.pdf
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/
Establish a family communication plan: Having a friend or family member outside of the area who can coordinate communication among family members can be useful when cell systems are overloaded and allow those who are in harm’s way to focus on getting to safety. The American Red Cross is encouraging individuals in affected areas to check in as “safe and well” or search for loved ones at https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/.
Review evacuation routes: Monitor safe evacuation routes from your home or other locations so that you have alternatives if routes are blocked by fire or obstacles, such as downed trees. In Oregon, check https://tripcheck.com/ for road closures and traffic congestion.
Monitor air quality: You can stay informed about the air quality in your community at https://www.airnow.gov/. We encourage you to follow health officials’ guidance, which generally includes staying indoors when possible, using N95 masks when outside and paying close attention to children, elderly and people living with respiratory issues. A number of pre-assembled emergency kits include these, so you may have some on hand even if they are in short supply to purchase right now.
Other considerations: In addition to the professional resources, the following are some actions to take based on the reflections of my family experiences. Consider that you may not have advance notice and explore these steps:
1. Think about evacuating early to avoid panic and traffic congestion.
2. Keep your phone charged, a charger available and fill your car with gas.
3. Pack medications, water, snacks, flashlights, blanket, toiletries and extra clothing in your car.
4. Gather some sentimental items, such as photos, family recipes, wedding dress, family silver, baby outfit, holiday ornaments, art and family jewelry.
5. Collect important documents and items such as passports, titles, computers, address book and other difficult-to-replace items.
6. Manage your health by keeping extra medications, medical contacts and information close at hand.
7. Include carriers, bedding, water, food, medications and other items for your pets.
8. Document valuables with videos, photos, receipts, etc., and prepare readily available insurance contact information and records.
9. When packing, consider that cash, precious metals, jewelry, guns, art, and collectibles generally have limited insurance coverage unless an endorsement is in place.
As part of our third quarter focus on risk management, our colleague, Josh Frankel, CFP®, recently wrote a post titled, “Preparing for Fire and Other Risk,“ emphasizing the importance of reviewing your insurance. Again, this might not be your top priority as you are currently evacuating but an important resource from a planning perspective. It is important to note that once your home is in harm’s way, it may not be possible to enhance your coverage for the current risks, but consider taking steps to be prepared and ease your mind for future events.
If you are safely evacuated and believe your home is in danger, it may be worth exploring if your insurance carrier provides wildfire defense measures, such as spraying fire retardant, removing debris and creating a defensive barrier around your home. When covered, this service is generally arranged directly by the carrier.
While we earnestly hope that you do not need to employ any of these resources, we know that staying alert and being prepared can make all the difference. Your Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing team remain ready and available to offer our assistance.
Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing do not provide tax, legal, medical or insurance advice. This material has been prepared for general educational and informational purposes only and not as a substitute for qualified counsel. You should consult qualified professionals to understand how this information may, or may not, apply specifically to you.