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Guidance for Returning Home After a Power Outage/Fire 

Health Safety (HCA) safety tips for returning home: 

1. Wait for official updates and confirmation 
   Before returning home, check local utility, emergency management, or government alerts to make sure it is safe to return and that power has been restored. Follow any safety instructions provided. 

2. Personal Protection  

• When returning to areas with recent fire damage or ash, wear appropriate safety equipment when possible. 
• Avoid disturbing or stirring up ash whenever possible  

3. Check Refrigerated and Frozen Food 

• Refrigerators should be at 40°F or below 
• Freezers should be at 0°F or below  
• Food may remain safe: 
• Refrigerator: up to 4 hours without power if kept closed  
• Full freezer: up to 48 hours 
• Half-full freezer: up to 24 hours  
• Throw away perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cut fruits/vegetables, leftovers if they have been above 40°F for more than a few hours 
• When in doubt, throw it out 
• Learn more: Food Safety During Power Outage | FoodSafety.gov 

4. Check Your Water Supply 

• Run both hot and cold water faucets for at least 3 minutes, or until the water is clear. 
• If running water is unavailable, use bottled water for handwashing.  
• If bottled water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Check for any local water advisories before using tap water: https://www.smwd.com/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Norte-Fire-15 

Additional Resources/Links:  

CalFIRE: Returning Home Checklist | Ready for Wildfire 

FEMA: Tips for returning home safely after a disaster | FEMA.gov 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food Safety: FoodSafety.gov 

Southcoast AQMD: Wildfire Health Information & Smoke Tips 

Red Cross: Cleaning Up After A Fire | American Red Cross 

Airport Fire Debris Flow Planning

Click here to access the Airport Fire Debris Flow resources webpage.

Hi-Lo Siren

Some of the Sheriff's Department's patrol units are now equipped with a new siren feature to alert residents to evacuation orders during emergencies, such as a fire or flood. The system also is equipped with an external PA system that can play recorded messages to notify residents about the need to evacuate.

Our priority during any emergency is your safety, and this new tool will help bolster our response efforts during mass evacuations. Remember: When you hear hi-lo, it's time to go!

Partner Agencies 

• Orange County Public Works
  • Web: OCPublicWorks.Com
  • Twitter: @OCPublicWorks
  • Facebook: @OCPublicWorks
• Orange County Fire Authority
  • Web: OCFA.org
  • Twitter: @OCFireAuthority
  • Facebook: @OCFireAuthority
• Orange County Sheriff's Department
  • Web: OCSheriff.gov
  • Twitter: @OCSheriff
  • Facebook: @OCSheriff
• Orange County Sheriff's Department Emergency Management Division
  • Web: OCGov.com/Emergency
  • Twitter: @OrangeCountyEOC
  • Facebook: @OrangeCountyEOC
• Cleveland National Forest
  • Web: https://www.fs.usda.gov/cleveland
  • Twitter: @ClevelandNF
  • Facebook: @ClevelandNF
• National Weather Service - San Diego Office
  • Web: www.weather.gov/SanDiego
  • Twitter: @NWSSanDiego
  • Facebook: @NWSSanDiego