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GO! EVACUATION GUIDE

Give your household the best chance of surviving a wildfire by being ready to go and evacuating early. This includes going through pre-evacuation preparation steps (only if time allows) to increase your home’s defenses, as well as creating a Wildfire Action Plan for your family. Being ready to go also means knowing when to evacuate and what to do if you become trapped.

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Remember

When immediate evacuation is necessary, follow these steps as soon as possible to get ready to GO!

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  1. Leave promptly when officials advise evacuation or you feel unsafe. Follow official routes; do not delay departure to finish property tasks.

  2. Take people, pets, essential medicines, keys, your phone, and your prepared go-bag if immediately available.

  3. Wear sturdy shoes, long trousers and long sleeves if ready to hand. Clothing does not make entering fire or smoke safe.

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PREPARE BEFORE AN EVACUATION

Your safety comes first. Complete property tasks only while there is time and officials say it is safe. Never delay leaving to protect belongings or finish a checklist.

Before fire threatens: plan more than one route, arrange transport, gather medicines and documents, and practise loading pets.

If safe before departure: close windows and doors and move combustible items away from the home. Take your ready-to-go supplies and follow official directions.

Gas and propane: obtain instructions from your own utility before an emergency. Do not use a general checklist as an instruction to shut off the meter. If you suspect a leak, leave the area and contact emergency services and your utility from a safe place. If service is shut off, have the utility or a qualified professional restore it.

General guidance: Ready.gov wildfire preparedness and your local emergency-management agency. Utility procedures vary; SoCalGas, for example, limits meter shutoff to signs of a leak when safe. Reviewed November 6, 2026.

POWER OUTAGES AND UTILITY SAFETY

Prepare a battery or crank radio, lights, charged power banks, water and essential medicines. Plan for medical equipment that needs electricity. Learn how to open your garage door manually before an emergency.

During an outage, follow local alerts and utility instructions. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Use flashlights instead of candles. Do not shut off gas solely because the electricity fails; follow your utility and local officials. A qualified professional must restore shut-off gas service.

Treat fallen wires and anything touching them as dangerous. Stay at least 35 feet away, call 911 and keep others away. Follow any greater distance directed by officials.

Generators belong outdoors, never in a home or garage. Keep them in a ventilated location at least 20 feet from windows. Follow the manufacturer’s placement and operating instructions. Use working carbon-monoxide alarms.

Source: American Red Cross, Power Outage Safety. Reviewed November 6, 2026.

LEAVE EARLY. RETURN ONLY WHEN CLEARED.

Follow evacuation directions from local officials immediately. Leave sooner if you feel threatened; do not wait for someone to knock on your door.

Use recommended routes and keep roads clear for emergency crews. Evacuation labels vary by location. Learn your county’s alerts and sign up before fire season.

Do not return until officials say the area is safe. Hazards may remain after flames pass, including damaged utilities, fallen lines and hidden fire. Report hazards instead of entering an unsafe area. Have shut-off gas restored by your utility or a qualified professional.

Source: CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire, Go Evacuation Guide. Local emergency and utility instructions take priority. Reviewed November 6, 2026.

PLAN FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK

Include animals in your evacuation plan before fire threatens. Arrange transport, more than one route, and a destination that can accept them. Confirm arrangements; do not assume every shelter takes pets or livestock.

Pets: keep carriers, leashes, food, water, medicines, veterinary contacts, identification and medical records ready. Practise loading and arrange a trusted backup person if you are away. Take pets with you when evacuating.

Livestock: arrange suitable vehicles and trailers early, identify receiving locations, and coordinate a plan with your veterinarian and local emergency-management office. Allow extra time to load and move animals. Emergency responders may be unable to evacuate them for you.

Vegetation clearance around barns and other structures must follow the rules and conditions where your property is located. Ask your local fire district about requirements; this guide does not establish a legal clearance distance.

Sources: American Red Cross Pet Disaster Preparedness; Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Wildfire Preparedness for Animals. Reviewed November 6, 2026.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME TRAPPED NEAR A WILDFIRE

While in your vehicle:

  • Stay calm.

  • Park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation.

  • Close all vehicle windows and vents.

  • Cover yourself with wool blanket or jacket.

  • Lie on vehicle floor.

  • Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.

 

While on foot:

  • Stay calm.

  • Go to an area clear of vegetation, a ditch or depression on level ground if possible.

  • Lie face down, cover up your body.

  • Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.

 

While in your home:

  • Stay calm, keep your family together.

  • Call 911 and inform authorities of your location.

  • Fill sinks and tubs with cold water.

  • Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked.

  • Stay inside your house.

  • Stay away from outside walls and windows.

©2021 by Wildfire Specialists

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