Preparation
Being prepared before a fire occurs is the difference between a controlled evacuation and a chaotic one. Know your zone. Have your plan. Pack your bag.
San Diego County Evacuation Zones
San Diego County uses a zone-based evacuation system with 2,669 unique zones. Your zone determines when and how you receive an evacuation order. The five zones that cover San Elijo Hills are:
Document your zone and the adjacent zones. A fire moving toward your neighborhood may trigger evacuations in neighboring zones first — that is your signal to begin preparing to leave immediately.
Wildfire Monitoring Resources
Alert San Diego
Before, during, and after disastersRegister your address to receive targeted emergency alerts — evacuation orders, fire watches, road closures — for your specific neighborhood.
SDG&E Outage Map
During PSPS and fire eventsMonitor power shutoff status in real time. SDG&E may proactively shut off power in high fire-risk areas during extreme weather. Know before it happens.
CAL FIRE Incident Map
When fires are activeOfficial statewide active fire map. Shows location, acreage, containment percentage, and evacuation orders for all current CAL FIRE incidents.
Evacuation Plan Components
Keep copies of your completed plan in your vehicle and at home. Review it with every household member — including children — before fire season each year.
Two or More Evacuation Routes
Map at least two different routes out of San Elijo Hills — roads can close due to fire or congestion. Know which roads connect to Highway 78 and Twin Oaks Valley Road. Download the evacuation map PDF.
Emergency Go-Bag
Pre-packed and ready to grab in under two minutes. Review and replenish every six months. The checklist below is the minimum — tailor it to your household.
Communications Plan
Designate an out-of-area family contact. Establish a household reunion meeting location outside your evacuation zone. Create a group text with immediate family and one trusted neighbor. Do not rely on phone calls during an emergency — texts deliver more reliably on congested networks.
Zone Awareness
Know your evacuation zone number and the zones immediately adjacent. Understand the alert levels: Watch (be ready), Warning (prepare to leave immediately), Order (leave now). San Elijo Hills zones are listed at the top of this page.
Document Protection
Create a home inventory with photos and videos. Store physical copies of insurance policy, mortgage/deed, vehicle titles, passports, and medical records in a waterproof, fireproof container. Back up digitally to a cloud service you can access from any device.
Emergency Supply KitMinimum Go-Bag Contents
10 items — packed and ready in under 2 minutes
Minimum Go-Bag Contents
10 items — packed and ready in under 2 minutes
Store near your door or in your vehicle. Top off your fuel tank at the start of every fire weather watch — gas stations can run out during mass evacuations.
Prescription medications (minimum 7-day supply)
Change of clothes for each household member
Vision correction devices (glasses, contacts + solution)
Non-perishable food and water (2-day minimum)
Hygiene supplies and hand sanitizer
Important documents in waterproof container (ID, insurance, medical records)
Charged cell phones with portable battery backup
Cash (ATMs may be offline after a disaster)
N95 masks for each household member
Pet food, leash, carrier, and vaccination records if applicable
Electric vehicles: Keep your EV charged to at least 80% at all times during elevated fire weather periods.
Understanding Alert Levels
Watch → Warning → Order — know what each means
Understanding Alert Levels
Watch → Warning → Order — know what each means
Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Prepare your go-bag, verify your route, and stay tuned to alerts.
Prepare to leave immediately. Vulnerable populations — elderly, disabled, those with medical needs or large animals — should leave now.
LEAVE NOW. Your life is at risk. Do not return until authorities confirm the area is safe.