Preparing for Wildfires
Take steps now to prepare for wildfires. More and more people make their homes in areas that are prone to wildfires. You can take steps to be ready for a wildfire and prepare your home and landscaping to reduce your risk from a wildfire.
Know your community’s evacuation plans.
- Find several ways to leave your area.
- Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations.
- Have a plan for pets and livestock.
Gather emergency supplies, such as respirators [PDF-329 KB].
- A respirator filters out smoke or ash before you can breathe it in. Children ages 2 years and older can wear respirators and masks. However, NIOSH Approved respirators do not come in suitable sizes for very young children.
- Remember the needs of children; individuals with medical conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease; or who are pregnant.
View a full-sized image of the Be Ready: Wildfires Infographic. Share it on social media or print it out to post in your office, school, or home.
Plan to keep wildfire smoke outside.
- Choose a room you can close off from outside air.
- Set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in this room cleaner even when it’s smoky outdoors or in the rest of your home.
- Make a plan to keep wildfire smoke out of schools or commercial buildings.
Keep track of fires near you so you can be ready.
- AirNow’s “Fire and Smoke Map” has a map of fires throughout North America.
- NOAA’s “Fire weather outlook” page maps fire watches and warnings.
- Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for emergency alerts.
