When it comes to wildfire safety, preparation can make the difference between life and death. That’s why MySafe:LA is supporting CAL FIRE to promote the new SET–GO initiative, launched this month.
Many people understand the first step — READY: hardening your home, clearing defensible space, and having an evacuation plan. However, people often fail to follow through on the next two critical steps: SET and GO.
Understanding Evacuation Terms
There are only two official terms you’ll hear during a wildfire evacuation:
- Evacuation Warning (SET): A fire is near. This is your time to act. Get prepared, load your vehicle, and be ready to leave immediately if conditions change.
- Evacuation Order (GO): Leave now. This is not optional. It is unsafe to remain in place.
It’s important to remember: nobody is likely to knock on your door anymore. Alerts are sent via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone, law enforcement notifications, or other official channels. When you receive an order, please act promptly.
What “SET” Really Means
Think about how long it takes to pack for a vacation. Now imagine doing it while smoke fills the air and your power goes out. “SET” isn’t the time to start making a checklist — that work should be done long before fire season.
Every household should have:
- A GO Bag with essentials for each family member.
- Medications, documents, and items needed for children, seniors, or those with medical challenges.
- Supplies for pets and animals.
- Enough time built into your plan to safely support those who may need extra help evacuating.
By getting SET early, you’ll avoid panic and ensure everyone in your household can evacuate safely.
Don’t Stay Behind
Recently, some articles have suggested the idea of staying behind during a wildfire. One included comments by LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone about the Malibu Community Brigade — but those remarks were taken out of context.
Here’s the truth: unless you are trained by a fire department and adequately equipped, you should never stay behind. Both the LA County Fire Department and CAL FIRE advocate following Ready, Set, Go. Most fire departments do. MySafe:LA does. The Community Brigade does.
To learn more about the Malibu Brigade and its unique role, listen to our podcast, REBUILD:LA – here’s the link to the podcast (or get it via any streaming service): https://rebuildla.buzzsprout.com/
Evacuating from your home is an emotional and stressful experience. Many people leave too late and put their lives at risk. By planning and practicing, you can reduce the stress as you’ll have a series of steps to follow that will aid in keeping you and your family safe.
MySafe:LA’s Commitment
Evacuation education is a top priority for MySafe:LA. We are developing critical new initiatives that will be announced this October to help Angelenos understand what SET and GO mean in practice — and how to protect their families.
Wildfires are part of life in Southern California. But with the right preparation, you can stay safe. When you hear the call: Be SET. Be ready. And when told to GO, GO!
