The State of California Office of Emergency Services has posted an Interactive fire map. This may become very useful at some time, particularly if you have friends or family in effected areas. You might want to bookmark this:

http://www.oes.ca.gov/WebPage/oeswebsite.nsf/IncidentsXML?readForm

I am counting 19 active fires as I am posting. The interactive map also lists Red Cross shelters and animal shelters.

Here are a few fire safety tips from the City of Norco:

Before

 

• Maintain a Firewise landscape around your home, with nonflammable landscaping materials within 5 feet of the house, and healthy, well-irrigated, well-spaced plants and trees in the area extending 100-200 feet from your home.

• Make sure your roof is made of fire-resistant material. Choose fire-resistant materials for your siding, deck, and porch.

• Sweep gutters, roofs, and eaves regularly. Remove dead branches around chimneys. If fire is approaching, remove combustible materials, including wood piles, lawn furniture, doormats, barbecue grills, and tarps, from around your home.

• Evacuate before the fire approaches your home. Back your car into the driveway and roll up the windows to allow for a quicker getaway. Plan to bring your valuables and your pets.

• Close and protect your home's openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, doors, and pet doors. Remove flammable drapes and curtains and close all shutters, blinds, or heavy non-combustible drapes. Do not lock the doors and windows in case firefighters have to make a quick entry to fight the flames.

• Close all the interior doors in your home and the fireplace screen. Open the fireplace damper.

• Shut off any natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies at the source.

• Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.

• Place a ladder against the house in clear view.

• Disconnect garage door openers so the doors will open if there is no power.

• Turn on the outside lights and at least one light in each room to make your house more visible in heavy smoke.

During

 

• If you are in your car as the fire approaches, roll up the windows and close the air vents. Drive slowly with your headlights on. Watch for other vehicles and pedestrians. Do not drive through heavy smoke

If you have to stop, park away from the heaviest trees and brush. Turn on the headlights and turn off the ignition. Keep the windows up and the vents closed. Get on the floor and cover up with a blanket or a coat.

• If you are in a building as the fire front approaches, stay inside. The fire will pass before the home burns down.

• If you are outside as the fire approaches, look for an area where vegetation or other fuel for the fire is sparse. On a steep mountainside, the back side is safer. Avoid canyons, natural chimneys, and saddles. If a road is nearby, lie face down along the road cut or in a ditch on the uphill side. Cover yourself with anything that will shield you from the fire's intense heat. If you are in a wooded area, seek a depression with sparse fuel. Clear fuel away from the area while the fire is approaching and then lie face down in the depression and cover yourself. Stay down until the fire passes.

After

 

• Do not return to your home until authorities say it is safe. If you are at home or able to return to your home, check the roof immediately and put out any roof fires, sparks, or embers. Check the attic for hidden burning sparks.

• Use the water in your pool or tubs. If your power is out, try connecting hoses to the outlet on your water heater.

• Maintain a fire watch for several hours after the fire. Re-check for smoke and sparks throughout the home.