This 5-Step Checklist Can Prep You for Wildfire Evacuations in Under an Hour
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
When you receive a wildfire evacuation notice, you’re forced to make a series of quick decisions while under immense stress with high-stakes unknowns looming. These exact scenarios have been the grave reality for 180,000 residents (and counting) across Los Angeles County this week as five, out-of-control, wind-fueled wildfires have blazed through the area, burning down hundreds of homes and claiming 10 lives. (Here’s how you can help those in Los Angeles affected by fires).
Unfortunately, the threat of wildfires continues to grow, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Every year, about 70,000 wildfires break out in the United States, and climate change factors like warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, and drier soil and vegetation are tied to longer wildfire seasons, according to the agency. This map from the Federal Emergency Management Agency shows wildfire risk zones throughout the U.S.
While it’s nerve-wracking to think about fleeing from your home as a wildfire creeps closer, emergency preparedness officials say having a plan in place can ease some of the stress of an evacuation order.
Ahead, here’s a five-step checklist that can help prep you, should you ever be faced with an evacuation order for a wildfire or other natural disaster.
Create a Wildfire Action Plan
Having a wildfire action plan in place can give you peace of mind and pre-established steps to follow should you need to evacuate. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) recommends that your plan should include determining escape routes, an evacuation plan for pets, and a family communication strategy that names someone outside the area as a contact point for family members who might get separated during a natural disaster or have trouble with phone networks. Each family can tailor their plan to fit their own needs.
Setting up a neighborhood communication system ahead of a disaster can also help you share local information and make sure your vulnerable neighbors can get the help they need during an emergency evacuation. To get the ball rolling on this, you can involve your homeowner’s association or communicate directly with your neighbors and set up a WhatsApp group.
Pack an Emergency Kit and Go Bag
Scrambling to pack when an evacuation order hits can be stressful, which is why officials recommend having an emergency kit prepped and stashed in your home. While you won’t gather some items until the day of your evacuation (like family photos and irreplaceable items, should time allow), you can have a list ready and some items in your go bag each wildfire season. CalFire recommends keeping a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed in case you need to evacuate at night and the power is out.
You can store these essential items in a large duffle bag or suitcase, should you need to evacuate your home, says Steve Leasure, Vice President of Operations at Rainbow Restoration.
Here are some items you should have in your go bag, according to Leasure:
Copies of important documents like IDs, medical records, any sort of insurance policy records.
Important daily medications, a first aid kit, and sanitation supplies
Tech items like flashlights, batteries, and backup phone chargers
At least three days of food and water. Make sure to focus on packing nonperishable food items that will not expire or need refrigeration.
Pack for at least three days of clothes and necessary toiletries.
A few blankets
Face masks
A map with two marked evacuation routes
Here’s a comprehensive list of every important item you should take with you in an evacuation.
Take Inventory of Items in Your Home
Make a home inventory before a wildfire occurs, as this will help with any insurance claims later on, Leasure says. You can use your phone to video-record your belongings and take photos, just be sure to have this inventory stored in the cloud or backed up somewhere. Your inventory should include the cost of items, especially any expensive items you have in your home. Be sure to photograph or video-record each room in your home, as well as your valuables, he recommends.
Speaking of insurance, once or twice a year, it’s a good idea to check in with your insurer to discuss your policy limits and what’s insured. Is your policy updated to reflect any recent home improvements? Do you have replacement cost coverage or does your policy take into account depreciation of items that may be lost in a fire? If you're a renter, what’s covered in your renter’s policy? Adjust your coverages as necessary.
Make Sure Your Pets Are Evacuation-Ready
Make sure your pets are microchipped and have up-to-date ID tags in case you get separated during a natural disaster, says Amber Batteiger, an animal emergency services and disaster relief expert with Embrace Pet Insurance. Some pet guardians also use AirTags or similar devices to help locate pets if they become lost during an emergency.
Prepare a go bag for your pets, too, with everything they’ll need, including food, water, and medications, and keep carriers, leashes, and other essentials easily accessible. She also recommends bringing a favorite toy, blanket, or bed to help reduce stress. Some wildfire-specific items to pack for your pet include booties to protect their paws from debris and burned areas and a reflective collar, leash, or vest that makes your pet more visible in low-light, smoky conditions.
Prep Your Home
Before leaving your home during an evacuation, remember to do these last quick tasks to help reduce the risk of further damage to your property and to help first responders, Leasure says:
Shutting all windows and doors to help prevent embers from entering the property.
Turn off your gas to minimize fire explosion risks.
Leave the interior and exterior lights on to help make the home visible to firefighters during very smoky conditions.
Move flammable items like upholstered furniture away from windows.
Remove flammable window shades and curtains.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.
You Might Also Like
