Summertime is almost here and with that wonderful season comes something not so wonderful…wildfires. Seconds count in protecting your family and pets. Don't wait for the evacuation notice from authorities. If you live in an area with hills and dry ...brush or are within a thirty minute drive from an active fire area, plan now. Don’t be sorry – be safe! Many evacuations I coordinated as a Paramedic in Los Angeles County gave a 15 minute window only.

Cat owners suffered the most, with outdoor cats they couldn’t find. Many were forced to leave their precious babies behind and hope for the best. Me? I’d burn to ash looking for my cat or you’d have to shoot me. Neither one, a very hopeful scenario. Aside from the constant threat to your outdoor cat of coyotes, cars and other predators, a wildfire is almost assured to kill your cat.

Many of my interior design or pet training clientele, who live in a home in the hills anywhere, can generally find the finances to create an outdoor space for their cats to give them the exploration they crave, while keeping them safe. Being a raccoon rehabber for years, my husband and I became masters at building environments that would give rambunctious juvenile raccoons the space, entertainment and secured space they needed to play, explore and get exercise.

My outdoor cat and dog environments have been one of the most popular services I offer. They’re cosmetically beautiful and functional for the pet while keeping them contained and in addition - keeping predators out. It shouldn’t about money, if you can afford it – it should be about peace of mind. To prepare for a wildfire, one good way to give yourself a safety bumper and perhaps a few more minutes to get out of your home with your pet if threatened by a wildfire, is to clear any dry brush from around your home and if your budget warrants, planting lots of succulent {fire resistant} ground cover combined with pea gravel for flowerbeds to reduce the fuel for the fire.

“Defensible space" is the primary determinant of a structure's ability to survive wildfire. Homeowners often resist creating fire defensible landscaping because they think it’ll look unattractive. But it certainly doesn’t have to be. If you have a garden designer that’s skilled and knows what you want, the effort can produce beautiful outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed year round, as well as added property value. Who doesn’t love that?

To prepare your pets for an evacuation, it only takes a small amount of time to pack the car. Fire moves very quickly and wind speeds and gusts are not always predicted accurately by the weather service. Many fires that are reported contained can whip up again and change direction overnight. People who are sleeping and not keeping track of the fire always end up with the worst scenario. They go to bed feeling safe and awaken, only to discover their backyard engulfed in flames.

The following information helps residents keep their pets out of harm's way.

Pack the following essential items and store in vehicle trunk:

5-15 Gallons of bottled water depending on size of pet (30 Gallons for horses and larger animals)

Dry Pet Food – enough for two weeks Litter box and litter

Blankets (in case of an injury, you can cover your dog to prevent shock or keep safe from embers)

Disposable bags for waste

Leash and collar

Potty Pads

Extra tag on collar with alternate emergency contact in case you become ill

Pet bed and toys for comfort

Pet wipes or baby wipes - (used to wipe ash and soot from fur)

Pet First Aid Kit to include items such as gauze, bandages, scissors, hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic ointment to treat burns, cuts or wounds

A supply of your pet's prescribed medication(s)

If you must vacate with a dog or cat-

"Just prior to fleeing from home, attempt to wet your pet down and cover him or her with a wet towel to prevent flying embers from burning their fur and paws on the way out of the house. Also, be sure to hose down the ground from house to car to further protect exposed paws

If you must vacate with a horse or farm animal -

Hose down the animal to prevent burns due to flying embers. Cover the animals' eyes with blinkers and lead into trailer. Make sure to load in a secure area, keeping all corral gates and fences closed to prevent the animal from fear- bolting and running off.

This will be a frightening time for both people and pets. The aftermath will be far reaching and it will take many months for people, pets and wildlife to begin to recover from the physical and emotional trauma. Preparation and planning can make the critical difference in protecting loved ones and saving lives.