Wildfires can explode out of control quickly and evacuation orders may catch you off guard. Here are some tips on how to be prepared.

Tens of thousands of Southern Californians were ordered to evacuate their homes after out-of-control wildfires engulfed several parts of the Los Angeles area.

As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve personally seen dozens of peers opening their doors to those in evacuation zones, fostering displaced pets, rushing to donate necessities, and doing whatever they can to spread the word about urgent resources—from local evacuation shelters and restaurants offering free food to ways to stay safe from smoke inhalation —all while monitoring wildfire apps like Watch Duty and preparing for their own potential evacuations.