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Neff’s Fire Update Wednesday, September 24 Start: September 22, 2020 Location: 1 mile east from Neff’s Canyon Trailhead, Mount Olympus Wilderness Cause: Unknown, under investigation Size: 55 acres (increase of 2 acres) Containment: 0% Fuels: Timber and oakbrush Closures: Neff’s Canyon Trail; The area closure includes all trails and trailheads and all National Forest System land between Mill Creek Canyon road on the north and Big Cottonwood Canyon road on the south to Quartzite -33115 then straight west. On the west the closure begins at the forest boundary and goes east to the Big Water trail, then south to where the Big Water trail connects with Big Cottonwood Canyon road. Assigned Resources: 4 helicopters, 4 fixed wing aircraft-Fire Bosses, 5 engines, 3 modules, 1 Hotshot Crew, 1 Type 2 Hand crew, 131 total personnel Today, September 24th, resources will continue to construct fireline in areas where it is safe for firefighters to engage. Ground crews will be supported by aircraft as needed. Gusty winds and dry air (low relative humidity) warrant a Red Flag Warning for today and tomorrow (9/25). These conditions may increase fire behavior. The incident management team appreciates the communities support and offers for donations. Our Incident Command Posts are set up to provide excellent logistical support, including food and other supplies, to first responders for the duration of the incident. Inside our incident bases, everything is carefully regulated by local health and safety ordinances, as well as strict adherence to COVID-19 regulations. Check with you local Red Cross or fire departments for donation opportunities. The best thing residents can do to support the fire fighting efforts is to prepare for future possible evacuations. The Ready, Set, Go program offers excellent guidelines for property and evacuation preparation: ready?language=en_US See next page for more preparedness tips ---PAGE BREAK--- Emergency Manager Andrew Clark [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Planning for Residents Reverse 911 Call: Residents who have landlines do not need to register for this. If an evacuation were to happen, an automatic message would be sent to all landlines in the area. For those that do not have a landline and only use mobile devices, they will need to register their cell phone and address on the Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) website, which can be found HERE. Prepare for an Evacuation: September 24- The fire has slowly progressed over the ridge and if winds begin to push downhill, there may be potential evacuations above Matthews Way and Park Terrace Drive. If conditions continue to deteriorate, the evacuation area may be extended to Brockbank and Parkview. o What to expect: While an evacuation is unlikely, it is best to be prepared in advance should the order be placed. If an evacuation order happens, it means that the fire has surpassed the safe geographical trigger points and is now an immediate threat to the population and structures. In the event that an evacuation order is released, residents should expect to receive a phone call or text from an automated emergency broadcast system alerting them of an immediate evacuation, what evacuation routes to take, and where any shelters have been established. Unified Police Officers, assisted by Millcreek Emergency Management, will go door-to-door to alert residents of impending danger and inform them that they need to evacuate as soon as possible. o Items to take with you: 5 P’s of an emergency evacuation. ▪ People – Family Members, pets (if able), and any surrounding neighbors who might need extra assistance. ▪ Prescriptions - Prescriptions, with dosages; medicines; medical equipment; batteries or power cords; eyeglasses; and hearing aids. ▪ Paper - Papers, including important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or portable thumb drives). ▪ Personal Needs - Clothes, food, water, first aid kit, cash, phones, and chargers— and items for people with disabilities and others with access ---PAGE BREAK--- and/or functional needs, such as older adults, children, and those with Limited English Proficiency. ▪ Priceless Items – Items include pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables. o Tips to Survive during a Wildfire evacuation event: ▪ Evacuate. Leave immediately if authorities tell you to do so. ▪ If trapped, call 911 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help people find you. ▪ Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions. ▪ Use an N95 mask to keep particles out of the air you breathe. ▪ Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies. ▪ Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock walking the ground.