--- title: "Wildfire Evacuation Checklist + Go Bag List | BePrepared" url: "https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/wildfire-preparedness" description: "Wildfire evacuation checklist, go bag list, and defensible space steps. Check your wildfire risk by address and know what each evacuation level means." source: "BePrepared Solutions" --- Wildfire preparedness # Wildfire Evacuation Checklist + Defensible Space Guide Wildfire is one of the few disasters where the work that saves your home happens before fire season starts. This is the calm, complete wildfire preparedness guide we built for real families: know your wildland-urban interface risk by address, complete the defensible space and home hardening that keeps embers out, build an evacuation go bag you can grab in a minute, and know what to do the moment a Warning or Order is issued. No doom language, no prepper theater. Last reviewed September 28, 2026 Share[](mailto:?subject=Wildfire%20Evacuation%20Checklist%20%2B%20Defensible%20Space%20Guide&body=Wildfire%20Evacuation%20Checklist%20%2B%20Defensible%20Space%20Guide%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fstaging.bepreparedsolutions.co%2Fwildfire-preparedness%3Futm_source%3Dshare%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Demail) ![Wildfire evacuation go bag on a kitchen counter: canvas tote, stacked N95 respirator masks, safety glasses, folded cotton shirt, sealed water bottles, NOAA weather radio, first-aid kit, and portable phone battery pack](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/_next/image?url=%2Fog%2Fwildfire-preparedness.png&w=3840&q=75) Know your wildfire risk at your address. Wildfire risk is hyper-local. A home in a wildland-urban interface (WUI) has fundamentally different exposure than a home three miles away in a fully developed neighborhood, even in the same county. California’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones, Oregon’s Wildfire Risk Map, and the USFS Wildfire Hazard Potential all publish this information, but reading the raw GIS layers is not a user-friendly experience. BeAware pulls your address-specific wildfire risk, historical burn perimeters within 10 miles of your home, and current red-flag or fire-weather watch status into one view so you know whether your home needs a basic plan or a serious home-hardening investment. [Check wildfire risk at my address](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/BeAware) ## Defensible space: the work that actually saves homes FEMA notes that most single-family homes are not required to be fire resistant, which leaves them vulnerable to embers, flames, and hot gases, and that unprotected vents give embers a way in. Defensible space and ember-resistant upgrades cut that exposure. The work is not glamorous (mostly yard work), and CAL FIRE's zones below are the standard way to organize it. ### Zone 0 (0-5 feet from home) Ember-resistant zone - Remove all vegetation within 5 feet of the structure - Use non-combustible mulch (gravel, stone, decomposed granite) — no wood chips, no bark - Clear gutters, roof valleys, and under decks of leaves and pine needles year-round - No woodpiles, propane tanks, trash bins, or combustible storage within 5 feet ### Zone 1 (5-30 feet) Lean, clean, and green - Remove dead vegetation, pine needles, and dry leaves year-round - Trim tree branches up to at least 6 feet from the ground, and keep branches 10 feet from your chimney - Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles - Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs ### Zone 2 (30-100 feet) Reduced fuel zone - Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches - Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches - Space out shrubs and trees horizontally and vertically; larger plants on steeper slopes need more space For a complete seasonal maintenance calendar and zone-by-zone tool list, see our [step-by-step defensible space guide](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/creating-a-wildfire-defensible-space-step-by-step-guide). For home hardening (ember-resistant vents, roofing, siding, window film), see the [complete home wildfire defense guide](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/complete-home-wildfire-defense-guide). ## Build your wildfire go bag and evacuation kits Unlike hurricane or earthquake kits (which are stationary), wildfire kits are structured for a fast departure. Three layers: a go bag you can grab in a minute, a household kit that lives in the vehicle during fire season, and pre-staged valuables you load in five minutes when the Warning escalates. Tap each item as it is staged; this browser keeps your checks. ## Wildfire Preparedness Checklist BePrepared Solutions · bepreparedsolutions.co/wildfire-preparedness Check off each item as you go. 0 of 27 checked ### Go bag (grab and leave in 60 seconds) ### Household kit (in the vehicle during fire season) ### Pre-staged valuables (5-minute load list) ### Vehicle readiness (habit during fire season) ### Home hardening (one-time work, done before the season) ### Air quality (for smoke events even 100+ miles from the fire) Want the kit picked out for you, sized for your household, with the right N95s, the right go bag, and the right HEPA purifier already chosen? BeEquipped curates wildfire kits where every item is matched to the evacuation and smoke-event scenarios real families actually face. [See the Ten-Minute Evacuation kit](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/BeEquipped/kits/ten-minute-evacuation)[All wildfire kits](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/BeEquipped/kits/scenario/wildfire) ## Evacuation timeline: Warning, Order, and the drive out For a dress-rehearsal version of this timeline, run the drill once in normal weather, calmly, with the family. Our [15-minute wildfire evacuation checklist](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/15-minute-wildfire-evacuation-checklist) is the shorter walkthrough to practice against. 1. ### Before fire season (the work that actually matters) Complete the defensible space work and home hardening below. Build the go bag, household kit, and vehicle kit. Identify two evacuation destinations in different directions and your out-of-state contact. Register for your county emergency alert service (Nixle, CodeRED, or county-specific apps). 2. ### Evacuation Warning issued In California’s statewide terms (other states vary), an Evacuation Warning means a potential threat to life and/or property, and those who need extra time to evacuate, or have pets or livestock, should leave now. Everyone else: start loading the vehicle with pre-staged valuables and the household kit. Put gas in the car if needed, though prefer to skip lines by leaving earlier. Dress every household member in long pants, long-sleeve cotton, and sturdy shoes. Move pets into carriers. Monitor the NOAA radio and local emergency alerts continuously. 3. ### Evacuation Order issued, or you see fire or thick smoke An Evacuation Order means an immediate threat to life: leave now. Do not wait for an Order if you feel at risk; Cal OES advises leaving as soon as evacuation is recommended to avoid being caught in dangerous conditions or road congestion. Take the go bag, the pet carriers, the pre-staged valuables list, and the keys. Close all windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Leave lights on so firefighters can see your house in smoke. 4. ### During the drive out Drive with headlights on. Windows up. Recirculate the air. If ash is falling thickly, wear N95 masks inside the vehicle too. Follow the evacuation routes officials give you, even if they feel longer: CAL FIRE notes that fire officials decide when and where to evacuate based on the fire, wind, and terrain. 5. ### After the all-clear Do not return until the area is explicitly reopened. Even cleared areas may have hotspots, flare-ups, toxic debris, and unsafe utilities. Check in with the out-of-state contact to confirm you are out. Photograph your property before moving anything for insurance. Expect power, water, and internet to be out for days to weeks. ## Wildfire smoke, even when you are not evacuating Wildfire smoke can reach well beyond the evacuation zones, so homes nowhere near the fire still need a smoke plan. Ready.gov advises that if you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, you stay inside in a safe location or go to a community building where smoke levels are lower. If you have children, older adults, or anyone with asthma or heart disease in the household, the smoke plan is as important as the evacuation plan. AQI thresholds and what they mean for your behavior: - **0-50 (Good):** normal activity. - **51-100 (Moderate):** sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. - **101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups):** children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions should limit outdoor activity. - **151-200 (Unhealthy):** everyone should limit outdoor exertion. Close windows, run HEPA, consider N95 if outside. - **201-300 (Very Unhealthy):** stay indoors, windows closed, HEPA running. N95 mandatory outdoors. - **301+ (Hazardous):** stay in a clean room: close its windows and doors and run a portable air cleaner sized for the room, continuously if you can (EPA). For HEPA purifier selection (CADR matched to room square footage), see our [air purifier sizing calculator](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/air-purifier-sizing-calculator-for-wildfire-smoke). For the full indoor air strategy, our [ultimate guide to wildfire air quality protection](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/ultimate-guide-to-wildfire-air-quality-protection) goes deeper than space allows here. ## Special situations: PSPS, pets, and late-notice evacuations ### Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Some utilities in wildfire-prone areas impose preemptive outages during high fire-weather conditions to reduce the chance of their equipment starting a fire. PSPS events overlap fire-weather days by design. If you live in a PSPS zone, your wildfire kit and your power-outage kit should be functionally the same kit, because the outage can come before any fire is visible. ### Pets and livestock Have pet carriers out and accessible, not in the attic. Keep leashes and harnesses staged next to the go bag. If you have livestock, identify the closest designated large-animal evacuation center before fire season begins. California's standard terms say those with pets and livestock should leave at the Evacuation Warning, not wait for an Order. ### Late-notice evacuation (you missed the Warning) If you see fire close by, leave immediately with the go bag and follow the directions of law enforcement and fire officials. Do not return for items. If you are trapped, Ready.gov says to call 9-1-1 and give your location, knowing that emergency response could be delayed or impossible, and to turn on lights to help rescuers find you. If you are trapped in a vehicle, CAL FIRE says to park in an area clear of vegetation, close all windows and vents, cover up with a wool blanket or jacket, lie on the vehicle floor, and call 911. ## Wildfire alerts: WEA and your county system Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) carry the National Weather Service's most critical warnings, such as Extreme Wind Warnings, and local emergencies requiring evacuation. Red Flag Warnings are not on the NWS list of WEA messages, so watch for them in your weather app or on a NOAA Weather Radio. Sign up for your county's own alert system too (Nixle, CodeRED, or county-specific apps); Ready.gov advises having several ways to receive alerts. You do not need to sign up for WEA, but alerts can be switched off in phone settings, so verify: - **iPhone:** Settings → Notifications → scroll to Government Alerts and enable every category. - **Android:** Settings → Notifications → Wireless Emergency Alerts and enable every category. - **County-specific:** search “\[your county name\] emergency alerts” to find the opt-in SMS or app that distributes evacuation-zone-level orders. BeAware layers red-flag warnings, fire-weather advisories, and active wildfire perimeters within 10 miles of your address so you see a single coherent view of how close the threat is. ## Wildfire preparedness FAQ ### What should be in a wildfire go bag? A wildfire go bag is designed for a 60-second departure, not 72-hour self-sufficiency. It should contain: a waterproof pouch with IDs, insurance card, and a medications list; a 7-day supply of prescription medications; N95 or P100 respirator masks; cash in small bills; and the printed addresses of two evacuation destinations and your out-of-state contact. Dress for the evacuation in long pants, a long-sleeve cotton shirt, and sturdy shoes. A deeper 72-hour household kit goes in the vehicle during fire season, not on your back. ### When should I evacuate during a wildfire? Earlier than you might think. Cal OES says to assume an Order will follow a Warning, and to leave as soon as evacuation is recommended to avoid being caught in dangerous conditions or road congestion; CAL FIRE says not to wait for an Order if you feel at risk. If you live in a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, your household’s risk tolerance should be set to "leave at Warning." Anyone with mobility limitations, young children, or respiratory conditions should leave at the first indication of threat in the area, even before a formal Warning is issued. ### What's the difference between an Evacuation Warning and an Evacuation Order? These are California’s standard statewide terms; other states use different ones. An Evacuation Warning means a potential threat to life and/or property: get ready to leave, and leave now if you need extra time or have pets or livestock. An Evacuation Order means an immediate threat to life: leave now. California also uses "Shelter in Place": go indoors and shut and lock doors and windows. Every household member should know which language your local agency uses before fire season begins. ### How do I protect my home from embers? The U.S. Fire Administration says embers contribute to a significant percentage of home ignitions, and NIST research found they can be carried several miles downwind, so homes outside the direct burn path are exposed too. FEMA’s ember protections include corrosion-resistant 1/8-inch or 1/16-inch (preferred) wire mesh on vents; a Class A roof covering; gutters kept clear of debris, with noncombustible gutter covers; and no combustible fuels such as mulch, shrubs, wood piles, or trash bins within 0 to 5 feet of the home. ### How bad is wildfire smoke for my lungs, and when should I stay indoors? Wildfire smoke is a mix of fine particulate (PM2.5) and hazardous gases. Short exposure irritates eyes and airways; at AQI 151 to 200, AirNow says some members of the general public may experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. At AQI 101 or above, limit outdoor activity; at 151 or above, stay indoors with windows closed and run a HEPA air purifier; at 301 or above, set up a clean room: close its windows and doors and run a portable air cleaner sized for the room. Wear N95 masks when you do go outside. ### What's a PSPS and how is it related to wildfires? A PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) is a preemptive outage that utilities impose during high fire-weather conditions to reduce the risk of their equipment starting a wildfire. PSPS events can last hours to days. If you live in a PSPS zone, your wildfire kit and your power-outage kit should overlap by design, because a high fire-weather day can start with a utility outage before there is any fire nearby. ## Sources The safety guidance on this page follows these sources. An evacuation order or other instruction from your fire officials or sheriff overrides anything on this page. - [Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics](https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/) — AirNow (U.S. EPA) Supports: the AQI category bands this page uses, and the AQI 151 to 200 health wording: "Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." - [Understanding Wildfire Warnings, Watches and Behavior](https://www.weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww) — National Weather Service Supports: the Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch terms only: "NWS issues a Red Flag Warning when fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly" and "A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring." - [Wildfires](https://www.ready.gov/wildfires) — Ready.gov Supports: the defensible-space and go-bag guidance, "Have several ways to receive alerts", the WEA no-sign-up note, keeping document copies "in a secure password-protected digital space", the smoke advice ("If you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, stay inside in a safe location or go to a community building where smoke levels are lower"), and the trapped advice ("If trapped, call 9-1-1 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help rescuers find you."). - [Evacuation Warning vs. Evacuation Order](https://www.news.caloes.ca.gov/evacuation-warning-vs-evacuation-order/) — California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Supports: the California evacuation terms ("An evacuation warning means there’s impending danger to your life or property. If a warning is given assume an evacuation order will follow." / "An evacuation order means there’s an immediate threat to your life and you need to leave right now!") and when to go: "Leave as soon as evacuation is recommended to avoid being caught in dangerous conditions or road congestion." - [California Standard Statewide Evacuation Terminology](https://calalerts.org/evacuations.html) — California OES (CalAlerts) Supports: the exact California definitions: "Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now." / "Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now." / "Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows." - [Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire](https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: the clean-room advice: "Close all windows and doors in the room" and "Use a portable air cleaner that is the right size for the room." - [Protecting structures from wildfire embers and fire exposures](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/protecting-structures-from-wildfire-embers-and-fire-exposures/) — U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) Supports: the ember claims: embers "contribute to a significant percentage of home ignitions"; "According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research, embers can be carried by winds and deposited several miles downwind from the wildfire"; and "embers can reach a building’s interior through a point of entry, such as a window or vent." - [Reducing Wildfire Risk to Your Home](https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_rm-reducing-wildfire-risk-to-your-home-infographic.pdf) — FEMA Supports: the home-hardening items: "most homes are vulnerable to ignition to embers, flames and hot gases"; "Replace existing vent covers with corrosion-resistant 1/8-inch or 1/16-inch (preferred) wire mesh"; "replace roof with Class A covering materials"; "replace the bottom 6-12 inches of siding"; noncombustible gutter covers; and "Ensure that there are no combustible fuels (e.g., mulch, trees, shrubs, wood piles, trash bins) within 0-5 feet of the home." - [Defensible Space](https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/defensible-space/) — CAL FIRE (Ready for Wildfire) Supports: the zone checklist: Zone 0 "extends 0- 5 feet from your home"; Zone 1 ("Trim overhanging branches and keep them 10 feet from your chimney"; "Maintain space between trees, shrubs, and flammable items like patio furniture and wood piles"; "Clear flammable vegetation and items from under decks, balconies, and stairs"); Zone 2 ("Trim annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches"; "Remove fallen leaves, needles, and small branches"; "Space out shrubs and trees horizontally"); and "Trim tree branches up to at least 6 feet from the ground." - [Go! Evacuation Guide](https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/) — CAL FIRE (Ready for Wildfire) Supports: the clothing item ("Wear clothes that cover your skin (100% cotton is best), like long pants and tops, and tough shoes"), "Maintain at least half a tank of gas in your vehicle", "Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked", "Leave lights on for firefighters to see your house in smoke", "don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel at risk", and the trapped-in-a-vehicle steps ("Park in an area clear of vegetation / Close all vehicle windows and vents / Cover up with a wool blanket or jacket / Lie on the vehicle floor / Use your cell phone to call 911"). - [Weather warnings on the go! (Wireless Emergency Alerts)](https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea) — National Weather Service Supports: which NWS warnings go out as WEA ("Warnings for Tsunamis, Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm (only when the damage threat is destructive), Flash Flood (only when the damage threat is considerable or catastrophic), Hurricane, Typhoon, Storm Surge, Extreme Wind, Dust Storm and Snow Squall"), which does not include Red Flag Warnings, and that WEA covers "Local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action". ## Deep dives from our article library Each of these articles goes deeper on a single part of wildfire preparedness than a single page can. See the [wildfire and severe weather guides](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/topics/severe-weather) together, or [get fire and smoke alerts for your address](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/help/beaware/set-up-alerts) before fire season peaks. [ ![Creating a Wildfire Defensible Space: Step-by-Step Guide](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/e937321e-7f9c-4dd4-a692-ee2c21cf7c52/hero-5f5a5be6-94e2-417a-b47d-152a030186dc.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Creating a Wildfire Defensible Space: Step-by-Step Guide Zone-by-zone walkthrough with tools, quantities, and a seasonal maintenance calendar for the three defensible-space zones. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/creating-a-wildfire-defensible-space-step-by-step-guide)[ ![Complete Home Wildfire Defense Guide](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/ced35d34-ab3d-4d44-8e7c-27907db816fc/hero-0ea66f6e-cd62-45d7-bd64-16a1163b8020.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Complete Home Wildfire Defense Guide Home hardening deep dive: ember-resistant vents, roofing, siding, window film, and the budget-ranked priority order for a whole-house upgrade. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/complete-home-wildfire-defense-guide)[ ![15-Minute Wildfire Evacuation Checklist](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/a806349d-1624-492e-80d6-cbb771c05f64/hero-5e61e939-6899-4b19-8833-63f51c59b95a.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### 15-Minute Wildfire Evacuation Checklist What to grab, in what order, when a warning becomes an order. Run the drill once calmly before you need it under pressure. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/15-minute-wildfire-evacuation-checklist)[ ![Fire-Resistant Plants: What to Grow in Wildfire Zones](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/bdaa8877-107e-48cd-ba2e-706f191ebbd8/hero-0231559c-a29c-43db-b694-dfcab3bb9568.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Fire-Resistant Plants: What to Grow in Wildfire Zones Long-term landscaping choices for wildfire zones: what to plant and what to remove. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/fire-resistant-plants-what-to-grow-in-wildfire-zones)[ ![Ultimate Guide to Wildfire Air Quality Protection](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/bae0e53c-8d82-4674-996d-90d48376f637/hero-fd9f34c7-32e6-4b1e-8cac-4c444f307e6c.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Ultimate Guide to Wildfire Air Quality Protection Indoor air strategies for smoke events, including when to run HEPA, when to seal a clean room, and AQI thresholds that should change your behavior. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/ultimate-guide-to-wildfire-air-quality-protection)[ ![Air Purifier Sizing Calculator for Wildfire Smoke](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/e529bcc6-ef87-46ac-85e6-1b41560a8b2c/hero-d5367e93-d8dd-4086-8d61-d4d99cf89591.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Air Purifier Sizing Calculator for Wildfire Smoke Match CADR to room square footage so you are not buying a bedroom-sized purifier for a great-room-sized problem. ](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/air-purifier-sizing-calculator-for-wildfire-smoke) ## Preparedness for every season, every risk Fire season is one part of the picture at your address. BeAware alerts you to fire perimeters and air quality near your area, BeReady writes the evacuation steps into your plan, BeEquipped ships the supplies, and BeAdvised gives you an expert to plan with. [See all BePrepared solutions](https://staging.bepreparedsolutions.co/) --- _Guidance here is general and cannot account for your circumstances. In an active emergency, official instructions from local authorities take precedence over anything published by BePrepared Solutions._