Wildfire Preparedness: What to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER
Wildfires are a growing concern for many of us, and frankly, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of it. You see the news, you smell the smoke, and you might think, "What can I actually do?" The truth is, a lot. But it’s not about panic; it’s about being prepared. I've seen firsthand how much stress and confusion a sudden emergency can cause, and that’s exactly why we built tools like the Emergency Plan generator. It takes the guesswork out of creating a solid plan.
Let’s break down what you need to think about, not in a "doom and gloom" way, but as a practical checklist.
The Problem: Winging It Doesn't Work
When disaster strikes, especially something as fast-moving and unpredictable as a wildfire, your brain goes into overdrive. You're trying to remember what you might have heard somewhere, who to call, what to grab, and where to go. This is where the friction happens. You’re trying to make critical decisions under immense pressure, often with incomplete information.
Think about it:
- Before: You know there's a risk, but what specifically should you be doing right now? Is it just "stay informed," or is there more? What about your home? Your pets?
- During: The evacuation order comes. Do you know the best route? What if your usual route is blocked? What about important documents or medications?
- After: You've evacuated. Now what? How do you get back in? Who do you contact if you've lost something or need help?
Trying to figure all this out on the fly is a recipe for mistakes, missed steps, and unnecessary danger. It’s like trying to build a house without blueprints during a storm.
The Fix: A Structured Plan
The solution is a plan. Not a vague idea, but a concrete, actionable guide. This is where the Emergency Plan tool comes in. It’s designed to take that overwhelming feeling and turn it into a clear set of steps, tailored to your situation.
Here’s how it works, broken down into the three critical phases:
Before the Fire: Building Your Foundation
This is your most important phase. Proactive steps taken now can save you a lot of trouble later.
1. Know Your Risk and Stay Informed
- What to do: Understand your local wildfire risk. Are you in a high-risk zone? What are the typical wind patterns? Sign up for local emergency alerts (like Nixle, county emergency alerts, or your local fire department’s social media).
- Why it matters: Knowing your risk helps you prioritize your preparedness efforts. Local alerts are your direct line to official information when things start to escalate.
2. Create a Defensible Space Around Your Home
- What to do: This is crucial for property survival. Clear away dead vegetation, dry leaves, and pine needles from your roof, gutters, and the area within at least 30 feet of your home. Trim tree branches that overhang your roof. Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your house.
- Why it matters: Wildfires spread through embers and direct flame contact. Creating a "defensible space" gives firefighters a better chance to protect your home and reduces the risk of ignition from embers landing on your property.
3. Prepare Your "Go Bag" and Important Documents
- What to do: Pack a bag with essentials for at least 72 hours: water, non-perishable food, first-aid kit, medications, flashlight, batteries, whistle, dust mask, sanitation items, copies of important documents (insurance, ID, medical records), cash, and a portable phone charger. Keep this bag easily accessible.
- Why it matters: If you have to evacuate quickly, you won't have time to pack. Having a pre-packed bag means you grab it and go, ensuring you have critical supplies and information.
4. Plan Your Evacuation Routes
- What to do: Identify at least two different routes out of your neighborhood. Know where you will go – a friend’s house outside the danger zone, a designated evacuation center, or a hotel. Discuss this plan with everyone in your household.
- Why it matters: Roads can become congested or closed during an evacuation. Having backup routes and a pre-determined destination prevents confusion and delays when every minute counts.
5. Secure Your Property (If Time Allows)
- What to do: Close and lock all windows and doors. Move flammable outdoor furniture and decorations away from the house. Turn off propane tanks.
- Why it matters: This helps prevent embers from entering your home and reduces the risk of external ignition.
During the Fire: Staying Safe and Following Orders
This is when immediate action is paramount.
1. Heed Evacuation Orders IMMEDIATELY
- What to do: If an evacuation order is issued for your area, leave immediately. Do not wait. Follow the designated evacuation routes.
- Why it matters: Evacuation orders are issued when conditions are becoming dangerous. Staying behind puts you and first responders at risk.
2. Stay Informed (If Safe to Do So)
- What to do: If you are in a safe location and have power, monitor local news, radio, or emergency services for updates on fire progression and evacuation status.
- Why it matters: Information is key to making informed decisions about when and where it’s safe to return.
3. Drive Safely and Be Aware of Conditions
- What to do: If you are evacuating, drive with your headlights on. Be aware of emergency vehicles, downed power lines, and debris on the road. Do not drive through smoke or flames.
- Why it matters: Visibility can be severely reduced, and road conditions can be hazardous.
4. If Trapped: Shelter in Place
- What to do: If you are caught in a wildfire and cannot evacuate, find a safe place to shelter. Ideally, this is inside a sturdy building with no flammable materials nearby. Close all windows and doors. Seal gaps with wet towels or tape. Go to a room with no windows, or the lowest level of the building.
- Why it matters: This is a last resort, but it can significantly increase your chances of survival by protecting you from direct flames and smoke.
After the Fire: Recovery and Rebuilding
The immediate danger may have passed, but the aftermath requires careful attention.
1. Do NOT Return Until Authorities Say It's Safe
- What to do: Wait for official clearance from emergency services before returning to your property.
- Why it matters: Even after the flames have passed, there can be hidden dangers like smoldering embers, unstable structures, downed power lines, and hazardous materials.
2. Assess Damage Safely
- What to do: Once you are cleared to return, wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and gloves. Be cautious of unstable structures. Look for downed power lines, gas leaks, and hot spots.
- Why it matters: Your safety is still the priority. A visual inspection can help you identify immediate hazards.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
- What to do: Document any damage with photos or videos before you start cleaning up. Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to start the claims process.
- Why it matters: This is a critical step for financial recovery. Having documentation helps streamline the process.
4. Check on Neighbors and Community Resources
- What to do: If you are able, check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those with special needs. Familiarize yourself with local recovery resources, such as disaster relief organizations and mental health support.
- Why it matters: Community resilience is built on mutual support. Knowing where to get help, both for yourself and others, is vital.
Who This Tool Is For
The Emergency Plan tool is for anyone who wants to move beyond vague preparedness and create a concrete, actionable plan for emergencies. This includes:
- Individuals and Families: If you have a household, you need a family emergency plan. This tool helps you cover everyone, including pets, and ensures everyone knows their role and where to go.
- Homeowners in Wildfire-Prone Areas: If you live where wildfires are a recurring threat, this is non-negotiable. The tool helps you think through specific wildfire scenarios.
- Community Groups and Small Businesses: If you have a team or a group that needs to coordinate during an emergency, the tool can help you generate a basic response guide.
- Anyone Who Feels Overwhelmed by Preparedness: If you know you should have a plan but don't know where to start, this tool simplifies the process by providing structure and prompts.
It’s particularly useful when you need a plan that covers the critical Before, During, and After phases, and you want a clear, printable reference.
Quick Start with Emergency Plan
Ready to get a basic plan in place quickly? Here’s how:
- Go to PrintReadyTool.com/emergency.
- Select "Wildfire" as your disaster scenario and "Family" as your audience.
- Follow the prompts to customize your plan, then click to generate your printable guide and quick-reference card.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a plan, it’s easy to slip up. Here are a few common pitfalls:
- Not updating your plan: Your contact information, evacuation routes, and supply needs change. Review your plan at least annually, or after any significant life event.
- Keeping your plan in one place: If your home is damaged, your plan might be too. Store digital copies in the cloud and keep a printed copy in your car or at a trusted friend’s house.
- Forgetting about pets: Pets are family. Ensure your evacuation plan includes them, their food, water, carriers, and any medications.
- Not practicing: A plan is only as good as your ability to execute it. Do a quick walk-through of your evacuation routes or "go bag" contents periodically.
- Ignoring evacuation orders: This is the most dangerous mistake. Your life is worth more than your possessions.
Realistic Mini Example
Let’s say you live in a suburban area bordering a national forest, and the wildfire season is starting.
- Input: You use the Emergency Plan tool, select "Wildfire" and "Family." You input your town's name.
- Decision: The tool generates a plan that includes:
- Before: Specific advice on clearing a 100-foot defensible space (based on your region's typical recommendations), a checklist for your "go bag" including prescriptions for your elderly parent who lives with you, and a reminder to sign up for county alerts. It also suggests two evacuation routes, one of which avoids a known bottleneck on Highway 101.
- During: Instructions to listen to local radio station KXYZ for updates and to shelter in the basement if evacuation isn't possible.
- After: A reminder to contact your insurance agent and a
Next Step
Create Emergency Plan in Emergency Plan and create your first usable draft today.
