Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
When the order comes, you'll have minutes. This list is built for that.
🔔 Set up wildfire alerts →Evacuation orders come fast. The only prep that matters is done before the fire. If you haven't packed a go-bag, do it today.
Before fire season — do this now
These are the tasks that make every other item on this list possible. None of them can be done under a watch or warning.
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Build and maintain a go-bag
Pack it now, store it by the door, and refresh perishables (food, medications) every 6 months. It does nothing sitting in your head.
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Scan critical documents to the cloud
IDs, insurance policies, deeds, mortgage statements, and medical records. Google Drive or iCloud so you can access them from any device.
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Photograph and video your valuables
Walk every room. Document serial numbers on electronics. This is your insurance home inventory — it's what gets your claim paid in full.
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Know your evacuation zone
Look up your county's zone map now. Write your zone on paper. When the order comes, don't look it up — you should already know.
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Identify at least 2 routes out
One may be blocked by fire or traffic. Drive both routes while it's calm so you know them by feel, not by GPS.
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Save emergency contacts offline
Write key phone numbers on paper (family, local emergency management, insurer). Cell towers get overloaded or damaged.
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Pre-position medications for a 7-day supply
Refill prescriptions before fire season starts. Talk to your pharmacy about emergency dispensing rules in your state.
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Fill your gas tank when warnings are issued
During a mass evacuation, gas stations run dry within hours. If a Red Flag Warning is in effect, fill up that day.
Go-bag essentials
Pack these into a bag or bin that lives by your door. Aim for something you can grab and carry in 30 seconds.
Documents
- ✓Government-issued photo ID (every household member)
- ✓Insurance policies — home, auto, health
- ✓Property deed or lease agreement
- ✓Passport and Social Security cards
- ✓Medication list with dosages and prescribing doctor
- ✓Cash (small bills — card readers may be down)
Medications & Health
- ✓Minimum 7-day supply of all prescriptions
- ✓Glasses, contacts, and contact solution
- ✓First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers
- ✓Medical equipment (CPAP, glucose meter, inhaler)
- ✓N95 or P100 respirator masks (wildfire smoke is toxic)
Electronics
- ✓Phone charger + high-capacity backup battery bank
- ✓Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio (NOAA)
- ✓Laptop or tablet if it takes under 60 seconds to pack
- ✓USB drives with critical files backed up
Clothing & Shelter
- ✓3 days of clothing per person (layers — nights get cold)
- ✓Sturdy closed-toe shoes — no sandals
- ✓N95 masks for wildfire smoke (pack extras)
- ✓Sleeping bag or emergency blankets if no hotel available
- ✓Rain jacket or emergency poncho
Food & Water
- ✓3-day supply of non-perishable food per person
- ✓1 gallon of water per person per day (3-day minimum)
- ✓Manual can opener
- ✓3-day supply of pet food and water bowl
- ✓Baby formula and diapers if applicable
Irreplaceable Items
- ✓External hard drives with family photos and videos
- ✓Family heirlooms that fit in a bag and cannot be replaced
- ✓Children's comfort items (if space allows)
- ✓Jewelry or small high-value items
When a Watch or Warning is issued
A watch or warning is not an order — but treat it as your final window to act without pressure. Do these in order.
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Load your go-bag into the car
Don't wait for the order to do this. Every minute you spend loading during a warning is a minute you won't have later.
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Fill the gas tank now
If you haven't already. Stations run dry fast when a mass evacuation is underway.
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Move irreplaceable items to the car
Hard drives, heirlooms, anything that cannot be replaced and fits — load it now while there's time to think.
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Set your HVAC to recirculate (indoor air)
Reduces smoke infiltration while you're still in the house. If your system lacks this, close all vents and turn off forced-air systems.
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Close all windows and vents
Including fireplace dampers. Embers and smoke enter through any gap. Close interior doors too — they slow fire spread.
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Turn on outdoor lights
Improves visibility for you and for firefighters in heavy smoke conditions.
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Charge every device to 100%
Phones, laptops, backup batteries, hearing aids. Power may be out for days after you return.
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Tell someone your plan
Text a family member or friend: where you're going, which route you're taking, and when you expect to arrive.
When the evacuation order comes
This is not a checklist — it's a mandatory sequence. Do not pause to pack extra items.
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Leave immediately — do not wait
The single biggest mistake people make is hesitating. Roads clog within minutes of an order. Every second of delay narrows your margin.
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Take your go-bag only — don't pack more
Loading extra items costs you time you don't have. Possessions can be replaced. You cannot.
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Alert family and friends of your route and destination
A quick text. If contact is lost, people need to know where to look for you.
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Do not return until officially cleared
Re-entry is controlled for safety. Returning early risks your life and can result in criminal charges.
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Follow official evacuation routes only
GPS maps are not updated in real time during a fire. They can route you directly into the fire's path. Follow law enforcement and official signage.
After evacuation — protect your claim
What you do in the first 48 hours after you're cleared to return determines how much your insurer pays.
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Document all damage with photos and video before cleanup
This is your most important task. Do not move, discard, or clean anything before documenting. Every damaged or destroyed item should be photographed from multiple angles.
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Contact your insurer within 24–48 hours
Most policies require "prompt notification." Get a claim number immediately. Ask specifically about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) — it covers hotel and food costs above your normal spending.
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Keep every receipt for every expense
ALE coverage can be denied without receipts. Hotel, meals, laundry, pet boarding — save them all. Many adjusters will deny undocumented ALE claims.
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Don't sign with any contractor until you've spoken with your insurer
"Storm chasers" target disaster zones. Your insurer must be part of the estimate process. Signing early can void coverage or lock you into a bad deal.
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Get multiple contractor bids for repair work
At least three. The insurer's initial estimate is often low — you have the right to negotiate and to hire a public adjuster for large losses.
A wildfire won’t knock. We will.
By the time you can smell the smoke, your neighbors may already be packing. Get the head start — FireRisk watches your exact address against the same official government feeds the pros use and emails you the moment something changes. 100% free.
- ⚡An alert when a new wildfire is reported near your home — straight from NIFC, often before the local news.
- 🌬️A heads-up when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for your area — the conditions that turn a spark into a disaster.
- 📍We monitor your exact address, 24/7. You do nothing — just keep living your life.
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Related tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
When should I evacuate during a wildfire?
Leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued for your zone — or sooner if conditions deteriorate, you have animals, mobility challenges, or want extra margin. At "Level 2 / Set," consider leaving immediately. At "Level 3 / Go," leave without delay. Wildfires can travel a mile a minute in wind; waiting is the most dangerous decision you can make.
What if I can't find my documents before I have to leave?
Leave without them. Your life is the only irreplaceable thing. If you've previously scanned documents to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox), you can access them from any device after evacuation. Most government agencies and insurers have processes for replacing lost documents — FEMA, the DMV, and the SSA all have emergency procedures.
What is an evacuation zone and how do I find mine?
Evacuation zones are geographic areas designated by local emergency management agencies to organize and prioritize evacuations. They are typically labeled with letters (Zone A, Zone B) or levels (Level 1, 2, 3). Find your zone on your county sheriff's or OES website — search "[your county] evacuation zones." Write it down. Don't look it up during an emergency.
How do I protect my home before leaving during a wildfire?
Close all windows, doors, and vents (including garage doors and fireplace dampers). Remove combustible patio furniture. Connect garden hoses but do not run water unless a firefighter directs you to. Turn on exterior lights. Leave a note on your door indicating the home is vacant and you've evacuated. Do not stay to defend your home — it is not worth your life, and fire moves faster than almost any defense you can mount.