Please take the time to read this Fire evacuation plan developed by BRMCA. It contains vital information about preparation planning and steps to take in the event of a wildfire on our ridge.
Ready, Set, Flee: Your Wildfire Evacuation Plan
1. Introduction
The Blue Ridge Mountain Civic Association (BRMCA) offers this plan to residents living along both sides of Blue Ridge Mountain and Raven Rocks Roads. It was developed in consultation with officials from Loudoun and Clarke Counties as well as businesses/employers.
While Clarke County and the Mountain Overlay district of Loudoun County are rated as having a moderate risk of wildfire on a national scale, within the state of Virginia our ridge is in the 90th percentile for wildfire risk. A May 2025 assessment by the Virginia Department of Forestry rated the BRMCA community area as having a high risk (143 rating). That risk goes up considerably in periods of drought and the presence of additional visitors.
This plan presents steps every home dweller in our area needs to consider in preparing for the possibility of a wildfire occurring on the ridge. It has two main sections: pre-fire preparation and planning, and evacuation planning.
2. Be Prepared
a. Sign up for CodeRED
CodeRED is the warning application used by Loudoun and Clarke Counties to alert areas of emergencies. Some of you may have
signed up through a weather warning app but may not have opted for other types of emergency warnings. The process for getting
fire warnings is as follows:
On your smartphone download the CodeRED app. Onsolve is the provider of the CodeRED application. Follow the instructions for
selecting which types of alerts you wish to receive.
b. Harden your home
While it’s not possible to fireproof a forest, you can significantly reduce wildfire risk by creating defensible space around your home.
The website https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire has in-depth information on steps you can take to reduce the chances of your home being burned. Keep in mind that the zones specified on this website need to be expanded on the downslope side of your home up to 300 feet. The more of these suggestions you implement the more you reduce the chances of your home catching fire.
c. If you have to leave, have a plan for what to take
The links below address these issues. The first two links are primers on Go Bag preparation and contents –
A Go Bag is an emergency evacuation kit containing items you may need to sustain you and your family short term in the event you
must leave:
https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/emergency-supply-kit/
https://projectwildfire.org/kit/
The link immediately above comes from an Oregon web site, so references to local (to Oregon) locations and information do not apply. Take note of the references to preparations for your pets in addition to everything else.
The links below give information about what documents, data, and valuables you should plan to take, as well as tips on having the
proper insurance and insurance documentation in the event your home is destroyed:
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_safeguard-critical-documents-and-valuables.pdf
Pay attention to the references to safeguarding your data files you may have on your computer(s). If you do not store your data on
“the cloud”, you may want to consider adding an external drive to your system (and setting up automatic backups to it) that can be
easily taken with you in the event you have to evacuate.
Here are two comprehensive sites that focus on overall emergency preparedness and financial preparedness. They are useful for
broad planning for life’s contingencies as well as specific information on wildfire preparedness and planning.
https://www.vaemergency.gov/prepare/emergency-kit
https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
Part of financial preparedness is creating a home inventory for insurance purposes – it helps you know if you are adequately insured, and equally as important it gives you documentation to support a claim for loss in the event you lose items in a fire. The link below is
an example tutorial taken from a Progressive Insurance website outlining what information should be included. There are hundreds of others to be found on web searches.
https://www.progressive.com/answers/how-to-create-a-home-inventory/
Doing the above preparation cannot wait until an emergency hits. It is critical to make these preparations early and put a tickler on
your calendar to review your plans annually.
d. Make a communications plan to account for all family members
It’s possible some members may not be home should you evacuate. If an evacuation occurs it’s critical that all family members know
how to get in touch. This site is an excellent guide for making a communications plan:
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/family-emergency-communication-planning-document.pdf
e. Know your neighbors – some may need assistance
Create a voluntary list of vulnerable neighbors (e.g., elderly or disabled). Perhaps designate two members of your defined
“neighborhood” to maintain a call tree to ensure everyone knows the situation. Pay special attention to anyone who may need
assistance in evacuating. Keep in mind these people may also need assistance in hardening their homes.
3. During a Fire
Read the CodeRED instructions carefully.
Recommended evacuation routes are going to be predicated on the location of the fire. Pay close attention.
The CodeRED instructions may tell you where emergency shelters are if needed.
Notify disadvantaged neighbors, if any. Check to see if they need/want a ride.
Execute your family communication plan.
Gather Go Bag contents.
Secure your home – Here is an excellent set of instructions from the Cal Fire website for guidance:
Leave early – Don’t take a chance that your roads out get blocked.
4. Evacuation Process
Take a chain saw if you have one – if trees are down you may be the only one who is able to get to them and clear them.
Loudoun and Clarke fire departments and police will facilitate getting people off the mountain. Their first priority is the safe
evacuation of people and pets.
Seek safety if trapped. From Cal Fire, again:
https://cal-fire-communications.paperturn-view.com/cal-fire-ready-set-go-brochure-final-files-v4-print?pid=MjU252417&p=25&v=3
5. After Evacuation
Rely on CodeRED information to know where to go.
Notify local emergency operations centers and the Red Cross with your names, location, and contact information
Do not attempt to return until local authorities have indicated it is safe to do so.
FireWise On the Mountain
Protect the mountain from potential forest fires by joining our annual Firewise program.
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In the past, our community has received a grant for participating in the Virginia Department of Forestry's Firewise USA program. The purpose of Firewise is to help reduce damage to homes in the event of a wildfire in high risk communities like ours. This program is designed to protect an area of no more than 100 feet around your home. Historically, we have used the grant funds to hire a professional tree crew for several days, along with a wood chipper/shredder.
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Currently The Virginia Department of Forestry is continuing their program of grants for community Firewise activities. We anticipate receiving a grant for 2026. Please begin now to keep track of your hours spent and out-of-pocket costs on Firewise activities. VDoF now requires dates of these activities and expenditures as well for audit purposes.
We must all do our part by taking care of our individual properties and working to protect the mountain.
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For more information on the Firewise program, visit the National Fire Protection Association website.
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​Thank you in advance for helping to reduce the wildfire risk in our community!
