Be Ready. Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
Living beside the Cleveland National Forest is one of the things that makes Rancho Cielo such a beautiful place to call home. It also means that wildfire is the most significant natural hazard our community faces.
No matter how well we prepare our homes or how effective our firefighters are, wildfires can happen. Along with flames and wind-driven embers, smoke can create serious health hazards long before a fire reaches our neighborhood.
The good news is that preparation makes a difference.
This page is intended as a quick reference to help you know where to get information, how to prepare before an emergency occurs, and what to expect if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Get Notified
The most important step you can take is to stay informed.
AlertOC
AlertOC is Orange County’s free emergency notification system. It can send alerts by phone call, text message, and email wherever you are.
You’ll receive important information such as:
- Emergency notifications
- Evacuation warnings
- Evacuation orders
- Other urgent public safety information
If you haven’t already registered, we strongly encourage you to do so.
Sign up at: www.AlertOC.gov
Watch Fires in Real Time
Another helpful resource is the Watch Duty mobile app.
Watch Duty provides real-time information on wildfires, including:
- New fire starts
- Fire maps
- Incident updates
- Evacuation information
- Shelter locations
You can choose to receive notifications for your local area, making it an excellent companion to AlertOC.
Be Prepared Before You Need To Leave
Preparing your home is only one part of wildfire readiness.
Ask yourself:
- Does your family have an emergency plan?
- Do you know where you’ll go?
- Do you know more than one evacuation route?
- Do you have important documents readily available?
- Have you prepared a “go bag”?
- Have you discussed your plans with your family?
California’s excellent Ready for Wildfire program provides easy-to-follow guidance for creating a family emergency plan and preparing well before a wildfire threatens.
Learn more at: www.ReadyForWildfire.org
A little preparation today can make a tremendous difference when every minute counts.
If You Need To Evacuate
If an evacuation order is issued, leave promptly.
Our firefighters will already be working to protect the community. Staying behind places both you and emergency personnel at greater risk from heavy smoke, toxic air, flying embers, and rapidly changing fire conditions.
Rancho Cielo is located in Evacuation Zone RSM01.
Depending on where a fire is located, evacuation routes may vary.
In most situations, residents will leave through the main entrance. If conditions require it, the emergency gates leading toward Walden and Dove Canyon may also be opened.
As you leave Rancho Cielo, emergency personnel will direct traffic toward Antonio Parkway or Santa Margarita Parkway using the safest available route.
Please:
- Follow directions from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
- Continue moving when directed.
- Do not stop along evacuation routes.
- Help keep traffic flowing for everyone.
Our community has trained volunteers working alongside the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and City personnel to help residents evacuate safely.
Working Together
Wildfires are an unfortunate reality of living in Southern California, but they don’t have to catch us unprepared.
By staying informed, making a family plan, and following the directions of emergency responders, we can help protect ourselves, our families, and our community.
Preparedness begins long before the smoke appears on the horizon.