Evacuation
When an evacuation order is issued, every second counts. Know what to do before you need to do it.
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY
Do not delay. Evacuation orders mean your life is at risk. Wildfires move faster than you expect — wind-driven fires in San Diego County have traveled miles in minutes. Waiting costs lives. Leave when ordered — or before.
Note: Consider leaving voluntarily before an official order to reduce road congestion and give yourself more time.
Grab Your Go-Bag
Your go-bag should already be packed and ready to carry in under two minutes. Do not pack in the moment — you will forget things and lose critical time. If your bag is not ready, leave without it.
Note: Store your go-bag near the front door or in your vehicle. Review and replenish it every six months.
Wear Protective Clothing
Before you leave, put on: long pants, long sleeves, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and — if available — an N95 mask. Even brief smoke exposure during evacuation can cause respiratory harm. Do not wear shorts, sandals, or synthetic fabrics.
Secure Your Home (If Time Permits)
Only attempt these steps if you have adequate time and can still leave safely:
- Close all windows and doors — do not lock them so firefighters can enter if needed
- Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible through smoke
- Move flammable patio furniture away from windows and into the garage
- Shut off gas at the meter if instructed by authorities
- Close all interior doors — compartmentalization slows fire spread inside the home
- Close fireplace dampers and vents
Note: Do not delay your departure to complete these steps. Leaving is always the priority.
Stay Informed
Use these tools while evacuating to monitor conditions, avoid blocked roads, and track fire movement:
Waze / Google Maps
Real-time traffic and road closures along evacuation routes
Watch Duty
Active fire location, spread direction, and evacuation zone status
Windy.com
Wind direction and speed — understand where the fire is heading
Alert San Diego
Official evacuation orders and status updates for your zone
AM Radio 600 KOGO
Continuous local emergency coverage — no internet required
AirVisual / IQAir
Air quality index — know when it is safe to return
Keep Emergency Contacts Informed
As soon as you are safely away from the evacuation zone, notify your designated out-of-area family contact. Use a group text — calls may not connect on congested networks. Confirm where each household member is and where you are going.
Note: Establish your contact protocol in advance. Deciding who to call during an active evacuation adds stress and delays.
When the Internet Goes Down: AM 600 KOGO
Cell towers and internet service often fail during large wildfires due to power outages and equipment damage. AM radio does not depend on internet or cellular infrastructure. Tune to AM 600 KOGO for continuous local emergency coverage. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank AM radio in your go-bag.
You May Leave Before an Official Order
If you see smoke, receive an Evacuation Watch or Warning, or simply feel unsafe — you are always allowed to leave voluntarily. Early departure reduces road congestion, gives you more time, and removes uncertainty. There is no penalty for leaving early and returning once the all-clear is issued.
Preparation ReferenceHow Evacuation Alerts Are Issued
How Evacuation Alerts Are Issued
Hi-Lo Warning Siren
The San Marcos Fire Department uses a distinctive Hi-Lo siren pattern — different from standard emergency sirens — broadcast from patrol vehicles moving through affected neighborhoods. If you hear this sound, leave immediately. Do not wait for additional confirmation.
The Hi-Lo pattern is unique to wildfire evacuations in this area. Learn to recognize it.
Alert San Diego
Register your address at AlertSanDiego.org to receive targeted notifications — SMS, voice call, and email — for your specific evacuation zone. Also available as the SD Emergency App (iOS and Android).
Register for Alert San Diego →