Be Ready to Evacuate!

Dear Sunshine Residents, 

Living in the mountains offers unparalleled beauty, but it also demands a higher level of preparedness. When an emergency strikes—whether wildfire, flood, or severe weather—seconds count. Sunshine residents in the past have benefited from being prepared. 

Please review the following protocols to ensure you and your family are ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Living Ready: Our District Evacuation Guide

1. Know Your Exit Routes

In a mountain environment, roads can become blocked or congested quickly. You must have redundancy in your escape plan.

• Two Ways Out: Identify two ways out of every room in your home, two distinct paths out of your driveway (the obvious direct road and an alternative on foot should it be blocked), and two routes out of our district.

• Visualize the Path: Drive these routes during the day and night so they are familiar to you.

2. The Logistics: Where Will You Go?

Don't wait for an evacuation order to figure out your destination.

• Arrange Alternate Housing: Identify friends, family, or hotels outside of the immediate mountain area where you can stay. Sometimes Boulder hotels have limited vacancy, know what alternatives you have outside of Boulder that suit your needs.

• Designate a Meeting Place: Establish a specific meeting point outside the district boundaries in case your family is separated during the commute.

3. The "Go" Protocol: When It’s Time to Leave

Panic affects memory. Create a physical Evacuation Checklist now so you don't have to think when adrenaline kicks in.

• What to Keep vs. What to Leave:

  • Keep: The "6 P's" (People and Pets, Papers, Prescriptions, Pictures, Personal Computer/Hard Drive, Plastics/Credit Cards).

  • Leave: Everything else. Material items are replaceable; you are not.

• Close Doors Behind You: As you leave your home, close all internal and external doors. This simple act can slow the spread of fire and reduce draft.

4. Family Safety & Practice

A plan is only good if everyone knows it.

• Teach the Children: Ensure your children know how to escape the home and the neighborhood on their own in case you are not there to help them.

• Practice Twice a Year: Run a full drill every six months. Physically walk the exits, pack the car, and drive the route.

Action Item for This Weekend

Sit down with your family this Saturday and create your Checklist. Print it out and tape it to the inside of your coat closet or near the garage door.

EVACUATION CHECKLIST

Keep this list near your "Go Bag" or Garage Door.

PHASE 1: THE 6 P's (Grab These First)

If immediate evacuation is ordered, grab these items and leave immediately.

• People & Pets: Account for everyone. Load pets into carriers/cars immediately.

• Papers: Important documents (Passports, Birth Certificates, Deeds, Insurance Policies) or a USB drive with digital copies.

• Prescriptions: Medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and special medical equipment.

• Pictures: Irreplaceable family albums or mementos that cannot be bought.

• Personal Computers: Laptops and external hard drives.

• Plastics: Credit cards, ATM cards, and substantial cash (ATMs may not work during power outages).

PHASE 2: PERSONAL SUPPLIES

• Clothing: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and heavy boots. (Cotton or wool only; avoid synthetics like polyester which can melt in high heat).

• Communication: Cell phones and charging cables/battery banks.

• Survival: Flashlights (with fresh batteries), N95 masks, and a battery-powered radio.

• Water & Food: Gallon of water per person and non-perishable snacks.

PHASE 3: HOUSE PREP (Time Permitting)

Only do these if it is safe to do so.

Inside the Home:

• Close all windows and doors. (This reduces draft and blocks embers).

• Remove curtains/drapes: Take down light drapes/blinds to prevent them from catching fire from radiant heat.

• Shut off HVAC: Turn off air conditioning, fans, and circulation systems.

• Lights On: Leave a light on in each room to increase visibility for firefighters in heavy smoke.

Outside the Home:

• Clear the Decks: Move patio furniture (cushions, doormats, toys) inside or far away from the house.

• Prop Open Gates: Leave side gates unlocked/open so firefighters can access the backyard.

• Connect Garden Hoses: Attach hoses to spigots and leave them visible (but do not leave water running).

PHASE 4: DEPARTURE

• Check Neighbors: If safe, ensure elderly or disabled neighbors are aware of the evacuation.

• Head Out: drive slowly with headlights on.

• Destination: Head immediately to the designated meeting place:

  
  

  • Primary: __________________________________________

  • Secondary: __________________________________________