Mill Valley residents in several neighborhoods across three evacuation zones can practice their wildfire escape plans during a voluntary drill on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The city announced the drill will begin at 9 a.m. and focus on three designated zones: MIL-E012, covering Scott Valley and Mill Valley Meadows; MIL-E013, covering Alto and Sutton Manor; and MIL-E021, covering Kite Hill, Overhill and Escalon. All Mill Valley residents and visitors may participate, not just those in the targeted zones.

Participants will receive an Alert Marin notification with instructions and then decide how to evacuate based on that alert, their knowledge of local roads and their own household plans. The drill ends at the city's Emergency Operations Command Post at Edna Maguire Elementary School.

The city said the format is deliberate. In a real emergency, information changes fast, and no single route works for everyone. The drill gives residents a chance to make those decisions under simulated pressure rather than during an actual wildfire.

No traffic closures or restrictions are planned.

The city said residents who do not participate should expect no disruptions.

Mill Valley also held an evacuation drill in April 2025. The city's Emergency Preparedness Commission wrote on X that month that many Mill Valley homes sit on steep hillsides, along narrow roads and amid dense vegetation, making advance planning essential.

The Oct. 3 exercise also falls during Southern Marin Fire District's "Ready Southern Marin: Four Weeks. Four Actions." September preparedness campaign, which walks residents through signing up for alerts, hardening homes, building go bags and connecting with neighbors.

Before Oct. 3, the city asks residents to:

  • Confirm they are signed up for Alert Marin with current contact information
  • Learn their evacuation zones and routes
  • Plan how they would leave from home, work or elsewhere
  • Account for children, pets, older family members and anyone needing extra help
  • Check emergency supplies and go bags
  • Talk with their household about what to do if an alert is issued

The city's evacuation drill page has additional preparation resources and zone maps.