Here's what to pack in your 'go bag' in case of wildfire evacuation

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025 6:55PM
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Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense.

Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a "go bag" and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said

But the most important tip? Don't wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said.

"The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. It's so important to avoid the congestion," he said. That's especially true in areas that have narrow roadways or limited routes, Torres said, because traffic jams can form quickly: "Everyone's doing the same thing - they're all trying to get out."

Here are some safety tips on what to do before and during a wildfire evacuation, and what to do if you get trapped.

How to prepare inside of your house for evacuation




  • Know your community's emergency plan, evacuation routes, and destinations

  • Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked

  • Take down flammable window treatments like shades and curtains, and close metal shutters

  • Clear away light curtains

  • Move anything that burns easily to the middle of rooms, away from windows and doors

  • Turn off the gas at the meter and pilot lights

  • Leave lights on for firefighters to see your house in smoke

  • Switch off the air conditioning



What to put in your "go bag" in case of wildfire evacauation

  • A 3-day supply of non-perishable food & 3 gallons of water per person

  • A map with at least 2 evacuation routes

  • Necessary prescriptions or medications

  • A change of clothes & extra eyeglasses/contact lenses

  • Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler's checks

  • A first aid kit & sanitation supplies

  • A flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries

  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)

  • Pet food & water

If you have time, here are some other items to include in your "go bag"


  • Valuables that are easy to carry

  • Family photos and irreplaceable items

  • Personal computer data on hard drives and disks

  • Chargers for cell phones and laptops

Three sisters evacuated from their home walk with belongings after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Three sisters evacuated from their home walk with belongings after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
AP Photo/Nic Coury


How to prepare outside of your house for evacuation


  • Bring in flammable items from outside, like patio furniture, toys, doormats, and trash bins. Alternatively, place them in your pool

  • Shut off propane tanks

  • Move grills and other propane BBQ appliances away from the house

  • Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use and fill buckets with water to scatter around

  • Don't leave sprinklers or water running as it can lower critical water pressure

  • Keep exterior lights on to make your home visible in smoky or dark conditions

  • Put your emergency kit in your car

  • Park your car in the driveway, facing outwards, loaded and ready, with all doors and windows shut

  • Have a ladder handy for firefighter roof access

  • Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals

  • Keep an eye on the fire situation and don't wait for an evacuation order if you feel at risk

  • Check with neighbors to ensure they're also prepared



How to prepare to evacuate your animals

  • Keep pets close and ready to go

  • Plan for farm animal evacuation early, arranging transport and safe locations

Always have sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed, ready for sudden night evacuations.

For more tips on how to prepare for evacuations, power outages and guidance if trapped, visit readyforwildfire.org

Tips courtesy CalFire

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