Wildfire Evacuation Checklist 2026

Wildfires are the fastest-moving natural disaster. Wind-driven fires can travel at 14 mph through chaparral and grassland, overtaking fleeing cars on narrow mountain roads. The 2018 Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures in Paradise, California in a single day, killing 85 people, many of whom were caught in traffic during evacuation. The 2025 Palisades fire in Los Angeles demonstrated that wildfire danger extends far beyond rural areas. Preparation is not optional. It is the margin between survival and catastrophe.

Year-Round Preparation: Defensible Space

Your most effective wildfire protection happens months before a fire starts. Defensible space gives firefighters a chance to defend your home and gives you time to evacuate.

Zone 1: 0-30 Feet From Your Home

• Remove all dead vegetation, dry leaves, and pine needles
• Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less
• Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet from chimney and stovepipe openings
• Remove tree branches within 10 feet of the ground (ladder fuels)
• Move firewood and lumber piles at least 30 feet from structures
• Remove combustible patio furniture cushions and mats when fire risk is high
• Clean gutters of dry leaves and debris (install gutter guards)
• Replace wood or vinyl fencing within 5 feet of the house with metal or masonry
• Use fire-resistant landscaping: stone, gravel, concrete, or fire-resistant plants

Zone 2: 30-100 Feet From Your Home

• Space trees at least 10 feet apart at crown (top) level
• Remove dead and dying trees
• Clear brush and reduce density of vegetation
• Create fuel breaks along driveways and access roads
• Remove vegetation overhanging the driveway that could trap you during evacuation

The Wildfire Go-Bag

Your go-bag must be packed, located by the door, and ready to grab in under 5 minutes. Do not plan to pack it when the warning comes; you may not have time.

Documents (Waterproof Container)

• Driver's licenses, passports, and birth certificates (copies)
• Insurance policies (home, auto, life) with agent contact information
• Home inventory photos/video on a USB drive
• Mortgage and deed documents
• Medical records, prescription lists, vaccination records
• $500+ in cash (small bills)
• USB drive with backup of irreplaceable digital files

Personal Essentials

• 3-day supply of prescription medications
• Glasses, contacts, and contact solution
• Phone charger and portable power bank
• Change of clothes and sturdy shoes per person
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• N95 respirator masks (wildfire smoke is dangerous)
• Water bottles and snacks
• Battery-powered radio

Irreplaceable Items

• Family photos, heirlooms, and sentimental items (pre-select what you would grab)
• External hard drives with digital backups
• Jewelry and small valuables

Pet Evacuation Supplies

• Carrier or crate for each pet
• Leashes and collars with current ID tags
• 3-day supply of pet food and water
• Medications
• Recent photo of each pet in case of separation
• Vaccination records (shelters require proof)

Evacuation Levels and Response

Level 1 — Ready (Get Set)

• Fire is in your area but not immediately threatening
• Load go-bags and pet supplies into the car
• Move valuables to the car
• Close all windows and doors (leave unlocked for firefighters)
• Move flammable furniture away from windows
• Connect garden hoses and fill pools/hot tubs if time allows
• Park car facing outward for quick departure

Level 2 — Set (Be Ready to Leave)

• Fire is approaching; leave could come at any moment
• Family members should be ready to leave in 5 minutes
• Pets should be secured in carriers in the car
• Close interior doors to slow fire spread through the house
• Turn on exterior lights so your house is visible to firefighters through smoke
• Leave a light on inside for the same reason
• Place a ladder against the house (firefighters use it for roof access)

Level 3 — Go (Leave Immediately)

• Leave now. Do not wait to gather more items.
• Follow your predetermined evacuation route
• Drive with headlights on, windows up, air recirculation on
• If roads are blocked, go to a large open area (parking lot, athletic field, lake) as a last resort
• Never drive through a wall of fire or heavy smoke with zero visibility
• Contact family members and tell them your destination

Home Preparation Before Leaving

If you have time during Level 1 or 2, these steps significantly improve your home's chances of survival:

• Close all windows, doors, and vents (remove screens from windows to prevent ember entry through melted mesh)
• Close fireplace dampers and cover attic vents with pre-cut plywood
• Move combustible patio furniture indoors
• Turn off propane tanks and natural gas at the meter
• Connect garden hoses to outdoor faucets; leave water on for firefighters
• Place sprinklers on the roof if you have water pressure
• Leave interior lights on and exterior lights on so the house is visible in smoke
• Leave a note on the door confirming the house is evacuated

Air Quality and Health

Wildfire smoke is a serious health hazard containing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that penetrates deep into the lungs. Even residents miles from the fire may experience dangerous air quality for days or weeks.

• Stock N95 respirator masks (not surgical masks; they do not filter PM2.5)
• Run HVAC on recirculate mode with MERV-13 or higher filters
• Consider a portable HEPA air purifier for the room where you spend the most time
• Monitor AQI (Air Quality Index) via AirNow.gov or the PurpleAir map
• Keep children, elderly, and anyone with respiratory conditions indoors when AQI exceeds 150
• Avoid outdoor exercise when smoke is visible

After the Fire

• Do not return until authorities declare it safe
• Watch for hot spots, weakened trees, and ash pits that can burn through shoes
• Photograph all damage before cleanup for insurance claims
• Wear N95 masks, long sleeves, and gloves during cleanup (ash contains toxins)
• Do not let children play in ash
• Do not use water from wells or cisterns until tested
• Contact insurance company immediately; document everything

Final Recommendations

Wildfire evacuation success depends on three things: defensible space maintained year-round, a pre-packed go-bag ready to grab in minutes, and the discipline to leave early rather than waiting for Level 3. Pack your go-bag this weekend. Walk your property and create defensible space this month. Identify your evacuation routes and practice them with your family.

For complete emergency preparedness across all disaster types, see our hurricane preparedness checklist, first aid kit guide, and emergency communication devices.