John Quetzalcoatl Murray for the Southeast Neighbors Preparedness Committee, also known as Ready Southeast, speaking on behalf of Don Metheny, David Monk, and Larry Kirkpatrick.
[00:00:13] The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a red flag warning for our area and we’re going to get another one of those east winds coming in that blows any existing fires towards our Metro areas.
[00:00:29] We’re asking preparedness leaders to continue to monitor conditions throughout the red flag warning period, which is Friday at 11:00 AM to Saturday at 11:00 PM.
[00:00:39] Here’s Southeast Neighbors. We correspond to two different evacuation zones. On one side of Amazon Creek to the west we’re Evacuation Zone 25. And then on the other side of Amazon Creek and all the way to LCC to the east we’re Evacuation Zone 31. So that’s important because they may start using these numbers as we have these east winds blowing fire toward the city folks may need to leave.
[00:01:08] And it’s not just an existing fire. Any ignition source in these conditions can be very hazardous. So, try to avoid using motorized equipment that might throw sparks and ignite a fire in these super dry conditions.
[00:01:22] You can find all about the emergency evacuation zones at the city of Eugene website.
[00:01:28] We know that in any emergency there are going to be more needs than there are responders. The professionals just won’t be able to get to us in time. So we have to watch out for our nearby neighbors.
[00:01:40] We have split up our neighborhood into 10 different areas basically five on the west side of Amazon Creek, and five on the east side of Amazon Creek. We’ve asked that all of those area leaders: Be prepared at level one, have your go bag ready, be ready to evacuate.
[00:01:58] Make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicles. You may run out of fuel if we’re all stopped in traffic somewhere, and any other preparations for evacuation you need to make: Large animals, pets.
[00:02:10] And folks who are super well-prepared: We know that our transportation system cannot handle the volume that’s required for a mass evacuation due to wildfire. So if you’re a little ahead of the curve, and you understand what it’s going to be like, please arrange to carpool with one of your nearby neighbors. Plan that in advance, maybe leave at an earlier level.
[00:02:35] If an evacuation does occur, we can help just doing what we’re trained to do, what we know how to do. Go check on our next door neighbor, say, Hey, did you know that it’s level one warning.
[00:02:49] If we get an evacuation notice, check on your nearby neighbors. Make sure they know about that. Continue to educate your nearby neighbors about the evacuation zone numbers that apply to us and teach them how to sign up for alerts so they will receive these alerts on their computer, in their email, on their phone, in the future.
[00:03:07] The other interesting twist in this event is that EWEB has identified much of Southeast Neighbors as a high-risk service area and prone to power outages. So we have to be aware of that as well. You can keep that radio charged and listening for any communications, that’d be great.
[00:03:31] Be ready for power outages. Maybe have some extra ice in a cooler.
[00:03:35] Keep an eye on the air quality to see when you need to stop allowing outside air to enter your home and when you need to start filtering the air and check on any nearby neighbors that may be in need of some special attention—especially if we do have a power outage here in Southeast Neighbors.