COOK COUNTY FIREWISE INFORMATION

-- Preparing you and your property for wildland fires --

Home Safety • Gunflint Trail Fire Dept. • Press Releases • E-mail List
What to do before... • What to do during... • Other Links • Prescribed Burn Information • Home

Residential Evacuation Checklist
Business Evacuation Checklist

EVACUATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Evacuation in any area of Cook County may be required in an emergency. In order to accomplish an orderly, safe and effective evacuation you need to understand some of the process and logic behind evacuation.

Always remain calm and take time to think. The evacuation process is designed to give you enough time to get out of harms way without rushing.

Why evacuate?
Who decided this?
How does it work?
Where do I go?
What about security?
When will I be allowed back into my place?
What about people in the woods?
How can I help?
For more information

Why evacuate?

There is a significant threat to life and safety.
To help ensure the safety of fire suppression or emergency crews.
Evacuation may be for imminent danger or may be cautionary if the predicted conditions are serious enough.
It may seem there is no significant risk at the time of notification.

Please trust that your well-being is the only motive and the decision was based upon the best information available.

The decision was made to give ample time for notification and to get out of harms way.

Who decided this?

The Cook County Sheriff has the authority to declare an evacuation.
The senior fire official on the scene has the authority to make an evacuation decision in extreme cases where time is limited.
Cautionary evacuation can only be initiated by the Cook County Sheriff and will be based upon current and predicted hazards.

How does it work?

A fire official notifies the Cook County Sheriff of the hazardous situation, the affected area and the potential need to evacuate. The situation is investigated and given priority.
A decision is made by the Sheriff or other County official based upon this information.
A radio page goes out to the Volunteer Fire Department or Law Enforcement informing them to begin the evacuation process. Phone and direct radio contact are used as backup methods.
An evacuation command post is established.
Door to door contact will begin in the affected areas.
Contact is from the end of each road working out to the beginning of the road, stopping at each property, lodge, and campground. If no contact is made a notice will be put on the door of the main building. Each resident will be given brief instructions and information related to the situation.
Remote locations may not be notified if time is limited.
Residents and visitors should begin leaving in an orderly manner.

Where do I go?

You will be informed at the time of evacuation where to go. The normal location is the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais.
There should be directional arrows posted at intersections indicating the evacuation route.
Because of hazards you may be asked to go to other locations or areas. These areas will be chosen based upon available information.
In advance: Be aware of potential evacuation routes, if your main access road is blocked. Locate areas of refuge (lakes or large open areas) near your own property which may be viable options in an imminent danger situation.
Always drive slowly and very carefully! Turn on your headlights!

What about security?

After all residents in the designated area have been notified of the evacuation, and emergency measures are underway, road blocks and security will be established.
Personnel may be available early in an event if it is ongoing at the time of notification.

When will I be allowed back to my property?

Only when danger has passed and the Sheriff declares the area open again.

What about people out in the woods?

Audible notification is possible with air horns or other means and should be established by individual Lake Associations.
Wilderness users will be notified when possible by Forest Service personnel.
All cars in the public access parking lots will have a notice attached to the windshield.
Remote locations may not be notified if time is limited.

How can I help?

Be prepared. Plan in advance. You will not have much time.
Listen to and act upon the warnings given to you.
Become involved with your local Volunteer Fire Department. Become involved with or begin a neighborhood or lake association group. These neighborhood groups can address things like learning basic information about weather and fire conditions, becoming a check-in for seasonal residents, knowing special needs of neighborhood residents, and being alert for neighbors who might require transportation of assistance in the event of an evacuatioin.

For more information contact one of these Volunteer Fire Department personnel:

Kim Linnell ----- 387-2520 ------ Colvill Fire Chief
Ben Silence ----- 387-9052 ----- Grand Marais Fire Chief
Bruce Waltz ----- 475-2660 ----- Grand Portage Fire Chief
Dan Baumann ----- 388-2203 ------ Gunflint Trail Fire Chief
Shawn Perich ----- 475-2515 ----- Hovland Fire Chief
Bob Vogel ----- 475-9999 -----Grand Portage Fire Chief
Fred Schmidt ----- 663-7541 -----Lutsen Fire Chief
Phil Bonin ----- 663-7522 ----- Schroeder Fire Chief
Rich Nelson ----- 663-7914 ----- Tofte Fire Chief
Jim Wiinanen ----- 387-3059 ----- Cook County Emergency Management

To sign up for more FireWise information or to request a FireWise assessement, click here.

Home Safety	Gunflint Trail Fire Dept.	Press Releases	Information E-mail List
What to do Before...	What to do During...	Other Informative Links	Home