When the Emergency Evacuation Plan is implemented, the Vail Public Safety Communications Center will utilize all available notification systems, including the following: 

The primary source for evacuation updates will be the Eagle County Emergency Management website at www.ECEmergency.org. Evacuation information will also be available at protect.genasys.com. Messages will contain real event information and emergency evacuation instructions.  

If time and personnel allow, first responders will drive through neighborhoods and make public notifications on emergency vehicle loudspeakers or go door-to-door. Please note that in most circumstances, law enforcement will focus their efforts on maintaining the flow of evacuation traffic. 

Note: Those who are unable to self-evacuate for medical reasons should call 911.

Self-Evacuation by Vehicle

• General Guidance: Exit the area/neighborhood in the safest direction, moving away from the hazard. Drive to I-70 and proceed as directed. Typically, the public will be directed west for incidents occurring to the east and east for incidents occurring to the west.

• Vail Golf Course Area: All residents east of the soccer fields will be directed to evacuate to the east towards Sunburst Drive. Vail Valley drive will be signed from the soccer fields to the east as an emergency evacuation route (one-way to the east.)
  
  
• East Vail Alternate Driving Evacuation Route - Use Only if Directed by Emergency Responders: In the event the eastern portion of East Vail is blocked during a wildfire incident and residents are unable to exit, an alternative route from the far eastern end of Bighorn Road is to be used. At the spot where the gate marks the end of the road and where the Vail Pass bike path begins, evacuees should turn to the right onto the dirt road, which leads on to the lower I-70 runaway truck ramp and then onto I-70.  Generally, any traffic would then be directed eastbound on I-70, as it is highly likely westbound I-70 would be closed at Copper Mountain. If I-70 is not closed westbound, then traffic will be routed west. 
  
  
• Alternate I-70 Access - Use Only if Directed by Emergency Responders: Alternate access to I-70 using pre-designated emergency access points may be implemented to expedite traffic clearance. Follow directions given by emergency responders.

Once you have left your house do not stop until you are in a safe location such as a collection point or evacuation shelter. The town’s notification systems will clearly indicate where the collection points or evacuation shelters are established. Support services such as the local Red Cross and Salvation Army are available to set up evacuation shelters. When possible, check in with your loved ones to make sure they know you are safe.

Evacuation Centers
(one or more may be designated)

• West Evacuation: Eagle River Center, located at 971 Fairgrounds Rd. in Eagle
• East Evacuation: Silverthorne Recreation Center, located at 430 Rainbow Rd. in Silverthorne

Check-in operations will be conducted by Eagle County Emergency Management and may include the Red Cross or Salvation Army. The required check-in information will consist of the evacuee’s name, birth date, home address, cell phone numbers, the location of the temporary shelter in which the person will be placed, and when applicable, the date and time a person was released to take care of their own shelter needs. Eagle County Emergency Management will be responsible for reunification.

Temporary Fire Refuge Area (TFRA)

In the event of wildfire where residents are unable to evacuate, they should go to a preplanned Temporary Fire Refuge Area such as a large field that is clear of brush and far away from trees or inside designated fire hardened structure. Pre-designated TFRAs include:

• Intersection of Bighorn Rd. and Main Gore Dr.   
• Vail Mountain School Fields
• Ford Park Fields
• Vail Village Parking Structure
• Gondola One Ski Yard - Vail Village
• Lionshead Parking Structure
• Eagle Bahn Gondola Ski Yard - Lionshead
• Red Sandstone School
• Red Sandstone Parking Structure

Pets may accompany evacuees as long as they are on a leash or contained so as not to injure other evacuees or their pets.  

Pets may not be allowed at public emergency evacuation centers. Eagle County Emergency Management will coordinate with Eagle County Animal Shelter & Services to house pets of individuals in evacuation centers. 

During certain incidents, such as a hazardous materials spill, or communicable disease outbreak, the public may be asked to remain indoors and not evacuate. 

In these cases, residents should be prepared to stay in their homes for a minimum of 72 hours and have enough supplies on hand to support the number of residents living there. Visit https://www.ready.gov/kit for suggestions. 

Prior to an evacuation, some thought should be put into what to take with you. To simplify the process, use the 6 Ps to prepare a list of important items:

1. People and pets
2. Papers, phone numbers and important documents
3. Prescriptions, medications and eyeglasses
4. Pictures and irreplaceable items
5. Personal computers and phones
6. Plastic (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash