Know the area emergency evacuation plans and prepare

Ever since wildfires have been burning towns in the western U.S., some of us residents have been wondering about the preparation for evacuation of Sandpoint. The county emergency plan is posted online. The relevant pages on evacuation begin with page 125.(bit.ly/3Qpy5aP)

We have all seen online videos posted by people caught in traffic, smoke, burning grass, and sparks while attempting to drive away from towns during firestorms. Many such videos are available via Google with search terms "video camp fire evacuation traffic" for the 2018 fire that destroyed Paradise, CA., pop 26,000. People died in their cars. (https://nyti.ms/3AmPVpa)

Sandpoint has four roads for egress, all two-lane and surrounded by forested mountains, grass fields, and grassy roadsides. We know the rapid firestorm devastation of local areas in 1910 and 1967. Our four grandparents were all youngsters in North Idaho during the 1910 fire. Our father was the county coroner and funeral director who cared for the fatalities of the Sundance Fire. My classmate Randy Langston was the Roman Nose Forest Service lookout local student who could not be evacuated in time and survived by huddling under a rock overhang wrapped in a wet blanket. (bit.ly/3SQ48Ce)

With climate change, it is not unthinkable that it could happen again and affect Sandpoint directly. I would like to see a news article on the plan for the town's evacuation with interviews of officials who would be in charge of that event and who are familiar with plans.

My questions include: Are there regular reviews of the plan and updates because of how the area is changing? Any rehearsals of any kind, e.g. communications systems and back-up alternatives in case of failure? Are there plans for water egress as well as using the highways? Could there be a volunteer flotilla to extract people on shore? Who would coordinate such water evacuations?

It would be good for people to know there is an active, updated, and sound plan and how they can prepare beyond removing vegetation from their home siding and keeping a "go bag."

CHRISTINE MOON

Sandpoint