Wildfire Evacuation: Build the Plan Before the Alert
When the alert comes, the plan should already be made.
Wildfires move fast. The plan that works is the one made before the alert.
Build a go-bag early
Pack documents, medications, a change of clothes, water, and a flashlight where you can grab them in minutes. A go-bag is not a generic kit — it is your household's specific essentials, ready to leave with you. Keep it near the door or in your vehicle during fire season.
Include copies of insurance, IDs, and a list of medications, plus a small amount of cash. If you have pets, pack their food, records, and a carrier. In a fast evacuation you will not have time to gather these things; the whole point is to do it now.
Defensible space
Clear debris, leaves, and combustibles near the home before fire season. Create a defensible space around your home — the area where vegetation and combustibles are managed to slow a fire's spread. Local fire agencies publish guidance on the recommended clearance for your region.
Move firewood at least 30 feet from the house, clean gutters of dry leaves, and trim branches that overhang the roof. These small tasks, done before the season, materially reduce the chance that embers will ignite your home even if the main fire passes nearby.
Know your routes and reunification
Identify two routes out and a reunification point in case the household separates. Wildfires can close roads quickly and without warning, so a single route is not a plan. Agree on where the household will meet and an out-of-area contact who can relay messages when local lines are busy.
Sign up for local emergency alerts and know the difference between an evacuation warning (get ready to leave) and an evacuation order (leave now). When an order comes, go — do not wait to see if the fire turns. Pack the car, load the go-bag, and leave while the roads are still open.
Sources & further reading
This guide is planning guidance, not emergency advice. In an emergency, call 911. See a mistake? Report it.