Loveland urges residents to plan for wildfires and emergencies

Loveland officials are urging residents to prepare for wildfires and other emergencies by making evacuation plans, signing up for alerts and packing emergency supplies.

In a news release posted Aug. 4, the city said recent Colorado wildfires are a reminder that emergencies can happen quickly and that being prepared can help residents make decisions when time is limited. The city said the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends creating a pre-fire plan that includes evacuation routes from home or work, signing up for local emergency alerts and practicing at least two ways out of a neighborhood.

The city directed residents to the NOCO Alert system for emergency texts or emails about wildfires, floods, blizzards, severe weather, police activity or public health incidents in Larimer County. According to the city, subscribers can enter home, school or work addresses and choose a preferred language for alerts.

Loveland also said residents should keep a go bag or survival kit ready in case they need to leave home quickly. The city said the American Red Cross recommends including food and water, medications, a first aid kit, personal hygiene items, cellphones and chargers, money, important documents and a flashlight.

The city said more information is available on its emergency communication and preparedness page and on Ready.gov.