EMErgengy Readiness Tips
Most Homeowners are Underprepared for Wildfire Evacuations
Why This Matters
When evacuation orders are issued, many families aren’t ready. It’s not because they don’t care, but because they don’t have a clear plan. Wildfires today move faster, burn hotter, and last longer than ever before.
According to recent national wildfire trends and federal reports:
- The average U.S. wildfire season is now 78 days longer than it was in the 1970s, and fires are burning twice as many acres each year compared to the 1990s
- More than 4.5 million U.S. homes are considered at high or extreme risk of wildfire damage
- Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 8 million acres burned annually — more than double the amount from 1987–1991
- Despite the growing threat, over 60 % of households in wildfire-prone areas do not have a formal evacuation plan, and many say they’ve never received clear guidance on wildfire preparedness
These statistics show a hard truth: When it’s time to evacuate, most families are still figuring it out in real time, and that can cost precious minutes.
What Emergency Readiness Really Means
Wildfire readiness isn’t just about having a “go bag.” It’s about:
- Protecting your home environment so firefighters can safely defend it.
- Coordinating your family’s actions so everyone knows what to do when alerts go out.
- Knowing your exit routes, since roads can close quickly during fast-moving fires.
Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) shows that homes built and maintained to wildfire-resistant standards are up to six times more likely to survive than unprepared homes (IBHS – Wildfire Research Center).
When a Wildfire Approaches
Wildfire readiness isn’t just about having a “go bag.” It’s about:
- Monitor alerts through Ready.gov, Nixle, or Cal Fire updates.
- Shut all windows, doors, and vents to prevent ember intrusion.
- Move flammable outdoor items (furniture, propane tanks) away from the home.
- Park vehicles facing outward for quick evacuation.
- If available, activate your homeowner-controlled system to apply fire retardant before leaving.
Your Wildfire Go-Bag Checklist
Prepare one bag per person and keep it by an exit or in your vehicle during fire season. Aim for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency.
Essential Items:
- Water — 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3 days)
- Non-perishable food and manual can opener
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio preferred)
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- Multi-tool or pocket knife
- First-aid kit and basic medications
- N95 masks or cloth face coverings for smoke
- Whistle or signal device
Personal Items:
- Copies of IDs, insurance papers, property deeds, and medical records (sealed in waterproof pouch or USB drive)
- Prescription medications and glasses/contacts
- Cell phone chargers and backup power bank
- Cash in small bills and coins
- Seasonal clothing for 3 days (minimum) + sturdy shoes
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wipes, sanitizer, feminine products)
For Children & Pets:
- Diapers, baby formula, bottles, and comfort items
- Pet food, water dish, carrier, and leash (ID tags up to date)
- Copies of veterinary records or rabies certificates
Optional Safety Add-Ons:
- Fire blanket or welding blanket (heat resistant up to 1,000 °F)
- Goggles and heat-resistant gloves
- Small fire extinguisher (Class ABC)
- Extra keys for vehicles and home
- Printed map with multiple evacuation routes
Download PDF of Checklist here:
During Evacuation
- Follow official evacuation routes. Do not rely solely on GPS; fires can block or alter navigation paths.
- “Official routes” are pre-designated roads identified by your local emergency management agency, city, or county fire department.
- These routes are monitored by law enforcement and kept clear for outbound traffic.
- They’re chosen for safety — avoiding steep terrain, downed power lines, or choke points.
- To prepare in advance:
- Find your evacuation zone before fire season using Zonehaven AWARE or your county’s wildfire map.
- Download the Cal Fire Ready for Wildfire app for real-time alerts and closures
- Print a physical map with at least two exit routes from your neighborhood.
- Follow law enforcement directions during evacuations. Routes may change as fire conditions evolve.
- Find your evacuation zone before fire season using Zonehaven AWARE or your county’s wildfire map.
- Keep headlights on in heavy smoke.
- Stay updated through emergency radio or phone alerts.
- Always evacuate when authorities issue an order — do not wait for visible flames.
When evacuation orders are issued, many families aren’t ready. It’s not because they don’t care, but because they don’t have a clear plan. Wildfires today move faster, burn hotter, and last longer than ever before.
Every second counts during a wildfire evacuation.
A well-practiced plan and defensible property can make the difference between losing everything and coming home to something still standing.