City of Austin

City of Austin and Travis County leaders held a press conference on Friday to announce a series of initiatives geared toward wildfire education, mitigation, prevention, and resilience. Mayor Kirk Watson announced “No-Ember November” as a campaign to educate the public on the risk wildfire poses toward Central Texas and to warn people against engaging in activities that are likely to spark a wildfire.  

“Austin ranks fifth in the nation for number of homes at risk of wildfire,” Watson said. “It is important that we as community leaders take action to educate the public on this risk and steps they can take to protect themselves while we are also planning for how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.”

In addition to No-Ember November, Mayor Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown each signed proclamations emphasizing the risk of wildfire and importance of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The CWPP is a greater Austin area roadmap for reducing wildfire risk in the region, guiding vegetation management, public education, and coordination.

This week, the Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition, which includes the City of Austin, Travis County, Emergency Service Districts and Texas State University, began the public input phase of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan update, which occurs once every 10 years.

Community members can now take part by completing the public survey or joining the virtual community input meeting on November 19. More information regarding the CWPP and public input meetings can be found online at cwpp-austin.hub.arcgis.com.

Wildfire is not the only major threat to the region. Central Texas also is known as Flash Flood Alley, which has unfortunately proven true the last few months. For these and other hazards that may cause a need for large scale evacuations, Austin Emergency Management (AEM) has completed a new All-Hazards Protective Action Plan.  

Mayor Watson recently signed his approval to the plan, which details how the City will respond to wildfires, floods, and other events requiring evacuation of neighborhoods or other measures to protect life, property, and the environment.

“As the coordinating lead for mitigation, response, and recovery to disasters in the City, Austin Emergency Management is proud to tell Austinites that we have worked with our public safety partners to create a protective action plan that accounts for the life-threatening hazards that our community is most susceptible to,” said AEM Director Jim Redick. “It is also paramount that our community members take action themselves to prepare for these hazards and know what to do and where to go should their neighborhood need to evacuate.”

Because wildfire has the potential to impact so many in Central Texas and cause widespread damage, the Austin Fire (AFD) Wildfire Division and AEM urge community members to not only make a wildfire plan for their households but to also be familiar with the City’s evacuation processes detailed in the All-Hazards Protective Action Plan. This is especially important for neighborhoods with limited ingress or egress, i.e. one way in or out.

First, evacuations work best when there is a plan. Community members can build an evacuation plan and prepare their homes for wildfire using the Ready, Set, Go! Personal Wildfire Action Guide. Knowing what to take and how to get out of your home and neighborhood are the first steps of building a successful evacuation plan.  

During an evacuation, seconds count. Do not hesitate to begin your evacuation plan early and GO if you feel unsafe where you are.  

But what do you do once you leave your home? That is where the combined efforts of AFD, AEM, Austin/Travis County EMS, Austin Police and many more governmental and non-government partner organizations come into play.  

When a neighborhood receives an evacuation notice, the first instructions will likely come from first responders on-scene. Door-to-door notices and loudspeaker announcements followed by automated messaging through Warn Central Texas will provide the directive to evacuate.

From there, listen to the instructions from first responders on-site directing evacuees to a Temporary Assembly Point, or TAP.

The Temporary Assembly Point will vary depending on the location of the evacuation and available locations that could be used for services provided by a Temporary Assembly Point.

TAPS will serve as a place for community members to check in with City officials regarding their safety status, provide important data to help address their immediate needs, and move on. If you have someplace safe to relocate, like the home of a family member or friend, and have no further needs, you are free to leave the Temporary Assembly Point and travel to your destination after checking in at the TAP. If you or someone in your household requires medical attention, Austin/Travis County EMS will be on-hand at the Temporary Assembly Point to provide triage care. For those who have nowhere to go after an evacuation, directions to a shelter will be provided upon checking in at the Temporary Assembly Point.

During an emergency evacuation, updates on the situation, Temporary Assembly Point locations, and a digital check-in option will be provided at austintexas.gov/alerts as well.

The main purpose of the TAP is accounting for all the evacuees. Having evacuees check in with the TAP helps first responders know which homes have been evacuated, and which homes may need to be searched for survivors.  

“It is important for the public to note that the Temporary Assembly Point is not a shelter. It is meant to be a check-in location for residents to indicate they are safe or need additional services." Austin Fire Division Chief Carrie Stewart said. "Personnel at the Temporary Assembly Point can assess the needs of community members impacted by a wildfire evacuation, or other type of evacuation, and provide next steps for those needing additional assistance. But we can only do this if everyone checks in at or with the Temporary Assembly Point when directed. So, please, check in physically at the Temporary Assembly Point or virtually from the austintexas.gov/alerts page.”

Austin Emergency Management, AFD, APD, and ATCEMS recommend all Austinites sign up to receive emergency alerts from Warn Central Texas. Learn more about building a wildfire plan through the Ready, Set, Go! program at ReadyCentralTexas.org and clicking on the Wildfire Preparedness menu.

AFD Wildfire encourages the community to visit its recently redesigned wildfire hub at ATXWildfireHub.com. In addition to Ready, Set, Go!, this page includes information on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and a link to request a free Structure Ignition Zone Evaluation (SIZE) through AFD, during which a wildfire advisory will walk the exterior of a property with the owner to provide personalized guidance about hardening it against wildfire risk. The page also has maps showing active wildfires with data about each one. However, in the event of a major wildfire requiring evacuation, up-to-date information and instructions will be posted at the City’s Alerts webpage listed above.

To begin preparing your home for the need of an evacuation or shelter in place as part of protective actions, the City encourages all community members to visit ReadyCentralTexas.org. This site can help you learn the four steps of emergency preparedness: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Know Your Neighbors, and Stay Informed.  

Building an emergency supplies kit can help you withstand a disaster or be prepared to evacuate with crucial items to help you in the immediate and days to come. Take time to review your personal needs and those of others in your household to make sure you have everything you need, including medications, special medical equipment, important documents, and more. Visit ReadyCentralTexas.org today to begin building your kit and preparing for evacuation today.  

Plans & Websites Mentioned in Press Release

All-Hazards Protective Action Plan
Wildfire Annex
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Website | 2014 Plan  
Austin Fire Wildfire Hub
Ready Central Texas
Warn Central Texas (emergency alerts)
City of Austin Alerts Webpage
Ready, Set, Go! Personal Wildfire Action Guide | en español