Residential Evacuation Checklist
Business Evacuation Checklist
Evacuation Frequently Asked Questions
IN THE EVENT OF A FOREST FIRE...
Forest Fires are a normal and natural part of living in and near the wilderness. Most forest fires will not require evacuation, however, if fires or intense smoke occur near populated areas the Cook County Sheriff and/or the your Volunteer Fire Department Chief may make a decision to evacuate a portion of the residents. This information is to help you understand the process.
PRE-EVENT INFORMATION - Where to obtain information...
(Pre-event is the time to watch the fire indexes carefully, to create a defensible space around your structures, to do planning, and to be aware of fires which may be burning at some distance from your property.)
- The Gunflint and Tofte Ranger Stations, Boreal Access, WTIP, and other agencies and businesses will regularly post Fire Status information from the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) website and other information prepared by related agencies. This may include controlled/prescribed burns, current wildfires in Minnesota and major fires in Canada.
- When activated, the Superior National Forest website will provide information.
INITIAL RESPONSE DURING A NON-EMERGENCY INCIDENT
(A non-emergency incident is a fire in progress, non-threatening at the time of discovery, but potentially threatening.)
- The Cook County sheriff, the Volunteer Fire Chief or Senior Fire Official can start the notification chain in the event of a serious fire or other event.
- The Fire Department will receive information and transfers it to key contact points.
- If already established: residents will receive information through calling trees and at posting locations.
- Guests and casual visitors will receive information from businesses via postings and from staff persons.
- Radio - WTIP (90.7 FM/91.7 FM Gunflint Lake Tower) will assist in providing the most current information. NOAA Radio transmitters have been installed.
EMERGENCY SITUATION: EVACUATION NOTIFICATION
(This situation requires action and cooperation.)
- Senior fire official on scene contacts Sheriff.
- Sheriff declares an evacuation and contacts the volunteer fire department, and other agencies.
- Fire department initiates evacuation notification procedures.
- If already set up: Call key contact points on call trees for phone notification.
- Door to door notification begins.
EVACUATION CHECKLISTS FOR:
RESIDENTS
BUSINESSES
EXTENDED RESPONSE DURING AN INCIDENT
- MNICS website provides daily updates; businesses print and post.
- USFS and DNR provide updates to Volunteer Fire Departments to be distributed to businesses and resident call tree contacts.
- Overhead team Public Information Officer provides status updates.
- Cook County opens public information center at the Courthouse.
RETURN TO NORMAL
- Overhead Team facilitates transfer of information to recovery agencies.
- Cook County Emergency Management coordinates with recovery agencies to distribute/gather information.
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Contents © 2007 Boreal Access. All rights reserved.
