More than 100,000 wildfires, burning millions of acres and damaging hundreds of homes and businesses, occur each year in the United States. Wildfires can occur anywhere.

While lightning is the source of many wildfires, the majority are started by careless human behavior, Wildfires can begin unnoticed and spread very quickly. Reduce your rick and begin to prepare now.

Safety Preparations
Develop an emergency response plan that includes the following safety procedures:

Evacuate the building and the neighborhood
Verify employees , visitors and customers were safety evacuated
Keep emergency supplies, such as flashlights, battery-powered TV’s and radios, extra batteries, first aid kit, and non-perishable food and water available.
Have fire-fighting tools, such as ladders long enough to reach the roof, shovels, rakes, hoses, axes, saws, and buckets for water available.
Train your employees in the fire prevention and protection and practice implementing your emergency response plan.
Coordinate your business’ emergency procedures with those of the local emergency response organizations and community officials.
Build and remodel buildings with fire prevention and protection in mind.
Install and maintain automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Install and maintain smoke and fire alarms connected to a central alarm station or the local fire department.
Reduce or eliminate the size or number of windows or skylights that face wooded areas.
Use thermal-pane glass, metal shutters, fire resistant curtains or other fire-retardant window treatments.
Construct the roof and exterior of the building of non-combustible or fire resistant materials such as stucco, tile, brick, stone, concrete or metal screens.
Bury electrical lines underground, if possible.

Landscaping is a factor in wildfire proliferation. Large patios, plazas, driveways, parking lots, stone or brick walls can reduce the spread of fires and can shield the property from heat and flames.

Minimize vegetation and outside storage of combustible materials within a 50-foot radius of all buildings. Ponds and lakes can provide a water source as well as limiting fire spread. If you are on a slope, clear a 200-foot area around your building.

Clearly mark your address, street and number, on all driveway entrances and on the building. Driveways should be at least 16 feet wide, with 15 feet overhead clearance to accommodate fire trucks. Design the driveways so fire trucks can turn around. Most fire trucks need at least a 45-foot turning radius. Keeps roofs and gutters clear of leaves, tree limbs, pine needles and other debris. Remove any dead trees or bushes from your property. Thin trees to maintain a 15-foot clearance between the crowns of the trees. Remove tree limbs within 10 feet of the ground. Keep chimneys and exhaust vents clean and unobstructed.

Store combustible materials such as wooden pallets or paper away from the building. Keep flammable or combustible liquids in the appropriate listed or approved metal containers, maintaining adequate clearance from buildings, fences and other materials that may burn. Store trash in the appropriate fire-resistant containers and do not allow it to accumulate. Locate propane and fuel tanks away from the building at the same elevation.

Prohibit smoking or limit smoking to designated areas, Locate outside smoking areas in paved areas, and provide containers for cigarette butt disposal. Have an adequate number of properly maintained and serviceable portable fire extinguishers, and train your employees how to use them.

If Wildfires Strike
Listen to TV and radio reports regarding wildfires in your area. Contact emergency response organizations to report any fire, no matter the size. Implement your emergency response plan. Be prepared to evacuate when requested by the local authorities.

Before evacuating, if time permits:

Remove combustible and flammable materials from around all the buildings.
Seal air ventilation vents.
Turn off natural and/or propane gas and turn off pilot lights.
Close all doors and windows.
Close window coverings, and move combustible materials and objects, such as wooden desks, towards the center of the building.
Use hoses or sprinklers to wet roofs, walls, and nearby vegetation.
Remove any essential business records.

After a Wildfire

Do not return to your business until the local authorities indicate that it is safe to return.
Stay clear of any downed electrical lines.
When you return to your business, check all areas of your building for hot spots, embers, sparks or other evidence of fire damage.
Check your building for any water or other damage related to the fire.
Stay clear of any hazardous area or conditions.
Contact your insurance company for assistance.
Contact local contractors to repair any damaged electrical, water, sprinkler and structural systems.
Test water supplies before reusing them.

Take steps to reduce your risk of damage and loss due to wildfires. Follow your emergency response and evacuation plan to protect yourself, your employees , and your business.

Source - Sentry Insurance Safety Advisor