Current Emergency Information

Community Evacuation Preparedness

COMMUNITY EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS

The best way to respond to a wildfire emergency is personal preparedness. Below you will find information to help you and your community take responsibility for your evacuation plan and be as ready as possible to act when disaster occurs.

Personal Preparedness for an Evacuation means actively engaging in these three steps: 

  1. Understand the evacuation system 
  2. Prepare for evacuation
  3. Create a family evacuation plan

Understand the Evacuation System: 

Evacuation planning is a significant concern for Ojai residents, and it is important to understand the current system in place for evacuation orders. Evacuation routes are determined at the time of an impending event and are based on the location of the event. These evacuation warnings and routes will be available from the following sources:

Evacuation information will also be posted on social media sites such as: 

There are four main evacuation routes out of the City of Ojai:

  • Highway 33 towards Ventura
  • Northbound Highway 33 towards the Los Padres National Forest
  • Eastbound Highway 150 towards Santa Paula
  • Westbound Highway 150 towards Santa Barbara

Learn more about evacuation protocol in Ventura County: emergency.venturacounty.gov/evacuation-terminology

It should be noted that the planning of and designation of appropriate evacuation routes falls under the authority of the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services as stated on the VCOES website. VCOES has the ultimate responsibility during an emergency for designating evacuation routes.

The link for VCOES is: https://sheriff.venturacounty.gov/patrol-services/office-of-emergency-services/

Prepare for Evacuation: 

Wildfire preparedness begins long before an emergency. The more prepared you, your family, and your neighborhood are, the better you can use the crucial minutes you may have to evacuate safely. Below, you’ll find resources to help you plan ahead, stay informed, and be ready when it matters most.

Download and print the 2-sided Residential Emergency Checklist for your home. Make preparedness a project for the whole family – work through the checklist together, share it with friends, and encourage your neighbors to prepare, too.

Create a Family Evacuation Plan

Create a family evacuation plan so everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to stay connected during an emergency. 

Here’s what you can put into a Family Evacuation Plan:

    • Map evacuation routes – Get familiar and include alternative routes in case of road block
    • Plan meeting places – In case of separate evacuation, where do you meet up?
    • Compile emergency contacts – Know how to get in touch with local and out-of-town family & friends
    • Pack Go-Bags – Consider each member of your household, including food/water for people and pets
    • Pack Stay Box – Just in case sheltering in place is your only option
    • Rehearse your evacuation plan – Make it a practice to keep family and friends involved in emergency preparedness

Resources:

Print copies of the Listos California Disaster Ready Guide:

Create a family safety plan: https://firesafeojai.org/create-a-family-safety-plan/