A wildfire can force a household to leave home with little notice. The best time to prepare is before smoke appears on the horizon. This wildfire evacuation checklist explains what to pack, how to get ready when a warning is issued, what to do when an evacuation order comes, and how to return safely afterward. Keep it handy, review it with everyone in your household, and always follow instructions from local emergency officials.
Before a Wildfire Threatens
Preparation turns a chaotic moment into a series of familiar steps. Focus on planning, communication, and supplies.
Make a household evacuation plan
- Choose at least two evacuation routes from your neighborhood and practice driving them.
- Pick a meeting place outside the immediate area and an out-of-area contact everyone can call or text.
- Decide where you will stay if you cannot return home for several days. Include options for pets.
- Plan for vulnerable household members, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who needs medical equipment or transportation help.
- Arrange help in advance for anyone who cannot drive or needs extra time to leave.
- Review the plan with everyone in the household at least twice a year and after any major change in address, work schedule, or medical needs.
Stay informed
- Sign up for official emergency alerts through local emergency management or public safety channels.
- Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for updates if power and internet fail.
- Follow official accounts and local news, but verify rumors before acting on them.
- Learn the difference between an evacuation warning, which means be ready to leave, and an evacuation order, which means leave now.
- Keep phones charged and store important contacts in more than one place, including a paper copy.
Prepare your property
- Keep roofs, gutters, decks, and the area near your home clear of leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris.
- Move firewood, propane tanks, and flammable lawn chemicals away from the structure when possible.
- Make sure your address is visible from the street so emergency crews can find your home.
- Keep a garden hose and basic tools accessible, but do not delay evacuation to complete yard work.
- Maintain a clear area around the home and remove items that could easily catch embers.
Build a Wildfire Go-Bag
Pack one bag per person and a separate bag for pets. Store them where you can grab them quickly. Include:
- Water and nonperishable food for at least three days, plus a manual can opener
- Prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids, and a written medication list
- First aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio
- Phone charger, power bank, and a backup charging method
- Cash in small bills and a copy of important documents, such as identification, insurance papers, and emergency contacts
- Extra clothes, sturdy shoes, a jacket, and a close-fitting particulate respirator or mask for smoke
- Toiletries, hand sanitizer, tissues, and personal hygiene items
- Pet food, water, leash, carrier, medication, and vaccination records
- Comfort items for children, such as a small toy or book
Check the bag every few months. Replace expired food, water, and medication, and update documents as needed.
Keep important documents ready
Store copies of essential records in a waterproof pouch and in a secure digital location. Useful documents include identification, insurance policies, property records, medical information, financial account details, and pet vaccination records. Keep a simple home inventory with photos or video to help with insurance claims later.
Prepare a vehicle emergency kit
Keep basic supplies in your vehicle in case you must leave quickly or wait in traffic. Include water, snacks, a blanket, a flashlight, a first aid kit, phone charging equipment, a paper map, a whistle, and an extra respirator. Keep the fuel tank reasonably full and park facing the direction you would leave when a threat is nearby.
Get Ready When an Evacuation Warning Is Issued
An evacuation warning means danger is possible and you should prepare to leave. Do not wait for an order if you feel unsafe, especially if you need extra time to travel.
- Charge phones and power banks.
- Fuel your vehicle and park it facing the direction you will leave.
- Load go-bags, medications, pet supplies, and important documents into the vehicle.
- Bring pets inside or keep them close so they are easy to transport.
- Close windows, vents, and blinds. Move lightweight outdoor items inside.
- Follow official guidance about utilities. Do not shut off natural gas unless instructed.
- Tell a contact outside the area where you plan to go.
- Monitor official updates and be ready to leave immediately.
Leave Immediately When an Evacuation Order Is Issued
An evacuation order is not a suggestion. Leave right away and follow the routes officials recommend.
- Take people, pets, go-bags, medications, phones, chargers, wallets, keys, and documents.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes to protect against embers and debris.
- Drive with headlights on, windows closed, and the vehicle ventilation set to recirculate.
- Do not drive through smoke, flames, or water crossings you cannot see through.
- Yield to emergency vehicles and follow traffic control directions.
- Do not return home until officials say it is safe.
If you become trapped or cannot evacuate safely, call emergency services and give your exact location. Follow any shelter-in-place instructions from officials. Keep doors and windows closed, stay away from exterior walls, and have water and a flashlight nearby.
After You Evacuate
- Stay at your planned location and monitor official updates.
- Do not return until authorities lift the evacuation order for your area.
- Watch for hot spots, ash, downed power lines, and damaged structures.
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, and a mask when cleaning up ash or debris.
- Document damage with photos and contact your insurance provider.
- Throw away food that may have spoiled and follow local guidance on water safety.
- Check on family, neighbors, and pets, and seek support if the experience has been stressful.
Quick Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
- Emergency alerts enabled
- Two evacuation routes known
- Meeting place and out-of-area contact shared
- Go-bag packed for every person and pet
- Medications and documents ready
- Vehicle fueled and parked for departure
- Windows and vents closed
- Pets secured
- Official updates monitored
- Home left immediately when ordered
Conclusion
A wildfire evacuation checklist works best when it is reviewed before an emergency. Make a plan, pack a go-bag, keep vehicles and alerts ready, and leave immediately when officials issue an order. Preparation protects the people and animals you care about and helps you make clear decisions under pressure. For more practical guides on emergency readiness, home safety, and everyday planning, explore related articles on our site.