As much as living in the mountains is a dream, it also comes with risk of wildfires that may cause you to have to evacuate your property to safety. Here are tips to be prepared for evacuation.

Before a fire happens

1. Plan out with your family, especially with children, what your plan is if there is a fire in the area.

2. Where will you go? Do you have family you can stay with? Do you have a list of emergency contacts?

3. What will you do with your cars? Are you able to open your garage if the power goes out?

4. What will you take with you from your house? Do you have a “go bag”? Do kids know what they can take with them?

5. Do you have pets or livestock you need to consider?

6. Sign up for a free community notification system that covers the foothills in Clear Creek County and Jefferson County called LookoutAlert: www.lookoutalert.co

7. Read more on evacuation preparation and download the foothills evacuation checklist so you are prepared.

8. Ensure your home is wildfire ready by reviewing wildfire home prevention tips

During a wildfire

1. Don’t panic and follow your fire game plan on where you are going, what you are taking, cars you are using, plan for pets

2. Leave early. Don’t wait!

3. Grab essential technology: computers, phones, chargers

4. Grab essential materials, medicine, documents, safes, as necessary

5. Leave power on. Turn off gas to the home (if you have time).

6. Close all doors, windows and garages