How to Create a Wildfire Evacuation Plan That Your Whole Family Can Follow

Wildfires are a terrifying force of nature, particularly if they’re burning anywhere near the vicinity of your home or those you love. In recent years, wildfires have become more common and unpredictable, and, according to the ​​National Interagency Fire Center there have already been more than 25,000 year-to-date wildfires in the United States. 

With that in mind, your goal is to protect your home, your family, and your community. Here’s how to create a wildfire evacuation plan that makes the most sense for every member in your household, from the adults and children to your pets. 

Why Every Household Needs a Wildfire Evacuation Plan

Wildfires can move at lightning-fast speeds, and many people are left with minutes to evacuate. Amid all that chaos, it’s easy to forget something or make a decision that can cost you time. When you create a comprehensive evacuation plan, you’re giving every member of the family a framework of what to do in order to stay safe and as calm as possible in a wildfire emergency. 

Having a preparedness plan also can demonstrate proactive risk management when you’re shopping for cheap house insurance. 

Know Your Risk and Local Evacuation Zones

Wildfires can impact not only your home and those you love, but also your homeowners insurance quotes. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, you may be subject to increased premiums and exclusions. To determine your home’s specific wildfire risk, check out your local fire department’s website or the U.S. Forest Service’s interactive fire map. Many counties have predefined evacuation zones too, so you’ll have an idea of where to go if a fire breaks out. Your city or county emergency management office will also have detailed information about local evacuation routes and shelters. 

Map Multiple Evacuation Routes from Home and Work

Don’t rely on a single escape route in the event of a fire. Instead, identify at least two to three ways out of your neighborhood, your workplace, or your kids’ school or childcare centers. Blocked roads can also mean downed trees or cell towers. Be sure to stash a physical map in your vehicle just in case GPS services go down. Clearly communicate each escape route with every member of your family, especially any older kids who may be at home alone while you’re at work. 

Create a Go-Bag with Essentials for Each Family Member

Every person in your home should have a pre-packed emergency kit they can grab in seconds. At the bare minimum, keep these items in that kit: 

1. Non-perishable food and water (three-day supply)
2. Medications and prescriptions
3. Flashlight and batteries
4. Change of clothes
5. First-aid kit
6. Personal hygiene items
7. Copies of important documents
8. Phone chargers and power banks
9. Pet supplies and essentials

If you have infants in need of formula or elderly family members in the home who have medication requirements, make sure you have those supplies in their kits too. 

Establish a Family Communication Plan 

Downed cell towers and jammed communications can potentially keep you separated from your loved ones and emergency contacts. Your communication plan should include: 

1. Meeting location and details in the event of a separation
2. Social media or app check-ins
3. A walkie-talkie app like Zello or other communication tools like What’sApp
4. A schedule of text or call times 
5. Emergency contacts that live outside your area and can serve as a point person to relay communications with various family members
6. Teaching kids to call 911 in the event that they’re home alone

Be sure every member of the family knows this plan. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of contact numbers in your emergency kit or go-bag in case someone loses a phone. 

Designate a Safe Meeting Spot and Backup Locations

Choose a primary meeting location outside your evacuation zone. It could be a relative’s home, a school, or a local shelter. Make sure you have backup spots in different directions in case your main location is inaccessible. This way, if someone can’t make it home before evacuating, they’ll know where to go and how to reunite with your family.

Plan for Pets and Livestock

Furry — and scaly — friends need a plan too. Keep carriers and crates, leashes, food, water, and any needed medicine or vet records handy. If you have bigger animals or livestock, coordinate with neighbors, your large-animal vet or even local agriculture agencies to help with transportation. It’s also a good idea to identify pet-friendly boarding facilities in your area or just outside of it in case you need to relocate your smaller pets quickly. 

Check with your home insurance provider to determine whether they’ll cover pet-specific resources to help with your planning.

Practice Regular Evacuation Drills

A plan is only effective if everyone knows how to follow it. That’s why it’s a good idea to practice family evacuation drills at least twice a year. Time how long it takes to grab a go-bag and leave the house; be sure to make sure all necessities are ready to go at a moment’s notice; and use the drills to evaluate your route safety. Adjust your plan accordingly with your life events, such as moving or adding a new family member to your household. 

Keep Important Documents and Emergency Contacts Handy

In the event a wildfire affects your home, you’ll need some critical documents during the recovery process and beyond. Store hard copies of birth certificates, property deeds, insurance documents, and medical records, in a fireproof box or your go-bag. Save digital copies on a secure cloud service as a backup.

Include a printed list of emergency contacts, including your homeowners insurance provider, doctor, pharmacist, vet, and local emergency services. Having all this information at your fingertips can ease recovery after a wildfire and support a smoother claims process if you experience property damage.

Stay Informed with Alerts and Community Resources

Sign up for local emergency alerts through services like FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), public-use apps like Watch Duty or the Red Cross Emergency app. Your county or local news also likely offers text alert systems. Be sure to follow your local fire department, emergency management office, police jurisdiction, and city government on social media for real-time updates on wildfire spread, road closures, and communications issues. 

While no plan can eliminate the threat of wildfires, being ready can save lives and minimize loss. From mapping evacuation routes to preparing go-bags and practicing drills, each step in your wildfire preparation builds a strong foundation of safety.