HOW TO 

PREPARE

FOR A WILDFIRE
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Wildfires can occur anywhere and can destroy homes, 

businesses, infrastructure, natural resources, and agriculture. 

How to Prepare for a Wildfire explains how to protect yourself 

and your property, and details the steps to take now so that 

you can act quickly when you, your home, or your business is 

in danger.

WILDFIRE

BASICS

WHAT

WHEN 

WHERE

IMPACT

A wildfire is an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in a natural area, such as a 

forest, grassland, or prairie. As building development expands into these areas, 

homes and business may be situated in or near areas susceptible to wildfires. 

This is called the wildland urban interface. Wildfires can damage natural 

resources, destroy homes, and threaten the safety of the public and the 

firefighters who protect forests and communities.

Wildfires can occur at any time throughout the year, but the potential is always 

higher during periods with little or no rainfall, which make brush, grass, and trees 

dry and burn more easily. High winds can also contribute to spreading the fire. Your 

community may have a designated wildfire season when the risk is particularly high.

Wildfires can occur anywhere in the country. They can start in remote wilderness 

areas, in national parks, or even in your backyard. Wildfires can start from natural 

causes, such as lightning, but most are caused by humans, either accidentally—

from cigarettes, campfires, or outdoor burning—or intentionally. 

Federal suppression costs typically range from $1 billion to nearly $2 billion each year.1

The destruction caused by wildfires depends on the size of the fire, the landscape, 

the amount of fuel—such as trees and structures—in the path of the fire, and the 

direction and intensity of the wind. 

- Wildfires can cause death or injury to people and animals.

- Structures may be damaged or destroyed. 

- Transportation, gas, power, communications, and other services may be disrupted.

- Flying embers can set fire to buildings more than a mile away from 

the wildfire itself. 

- Smoke can cause health issues for people, even for those far away from the fire. 

- Extensive acreage can be burned, damaging watersheds and critical natural areas.

- Flash flooding and mudslides can result from fire damage to the surrounding 

landscape. 

- Wildfires can affect the land for many years, including causing changes to the 

soil that increase the risk of future floods. 

1 National Interagency Fire Center, www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_documents/SuppCosts.pdf
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KNOW THE 

RISK

Frequency of Wildfires 

Greater or Equal to 

300 Acres

101–1,308

21–100

1–20

Counties where 

largest wildfires 

were less than 

300 acres

Counties with 

no recorded 

wildfires

Wildfire Activity by County: 1994–2013

EVACUATE

When a wildfire threatens your area, the best action to protect yourself and your 

family is to evacuate early to avoid being trapped. If there is smoke, drive carefully 

because visibility may be reduced. Keep your headlights on and watch for other 

vehicles and fleeing wildlife or livestock.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE AND FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIALS 

Your goal now, before a fire happens, is to make your home or business and the 

surrounding area more resistant to catching fire and burning. This means reducing 

the amount of material that can burn easily in and around your home or business 

by clearing away debris and other flammable materials, and using fire-resistant 

materials for landscaping and construction.

INSURANCE

Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy to ensure that you have 

adequate coverage for your property and personal belongings.

PERSONAL 

PROTECTION

PROPERTY 

PROTECTION

RISK MANAGEMENT

YOUR GOAL FOR

PROTECTION
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EMERGENCY

NOTIFICATIONS

The National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues notices when 

weather conditions such as strong wind, low relative humidity, 

and high temperatures make wildfires more likely. During these 

dangerous periods, NWS urges everyone to use extreme caution 

because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. 

Watches, warnings, and evacuation notices are science-based predictions that 

are intended to provide adequate time for evacuation. Individuals who delay 

leaving may find themselves trapped. Download the Be Smart. Know Your 

Alerts and Warnings document at www.ready.gov/prepare for a summary 

of available notifications.

NWS issues a fire weather watch when potentially dangerous fire weather 

conditions are possible over the next 12 to 72 hours.

NWS issues a fire weather warning or red flag when fire danger exists and 

weather patterns that support wildfires are either occurring or expected to occur 

within 24 hours. Authorities may issue a fire weather watch before a warning, 

but a warning may also be the initial notification.

Your community may also use the National Fire Danger Rating System to 

provide a daily estimate of the fire danger (i.e., low, moderate, high, very high, 

and extreme). For more information, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/ 

home/?cid=stelprdb5173311. 

If the danger is imminent, local authorities may issue an evacuation notice to alert 

residents that a fire is nearby and it is important to leave the area. Evacuation orders 

vary by state and community and may range from voluntary to mandatory. When 

authorities issue a mandatory evacuation notice, leave the area immediately.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

FIRE WEATHER/

RED FLAG WARNING

EVACUATION NOTICE

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Protecting yourself today means having sources for information, 

preparing your home or workplace, developing an emergency 

communications plan, and knowing what to do when a wildfire 

is approaching your home or community. Taking action today 

can save lives and property.

KNOW Know how to stay informed. Receiving timely information about weather 

conditions or other emergency events can make all the difference in knowing when 

to take action to be safe. 

- Monitor the weather reports provided by your local news radio and TV stations. 

- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency 

notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, do an Internet 

search with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.” 

PROTECT

YOURSELF

BEFORE

A WILDFIRE
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- Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) All Hazards receiver, which 

receives broadcast alerts directly from NWS. You can purchase these at many 

retail outlets, such as electronics and big box stores, or online. Some NWR 

receivers are designed to work with external notification devices with visual 

and vibrating alerts for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more 

information on NWR receivers, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.

htm#programming.

- Think about how you will stay informed if there is a power outage. Have extra 

batteries for a battery-operated radio and your cell phone. Consider having a hand 

crank radio or cell phone charger. 

Know your evacuation routes; plan your transportation and a place to stay.

To ensure you will be able to act quickly should you need to evacuate, you need to 

plan ahead.

- Know your community’s local evacuation plan and identify several escape routes 

for your location in case roads are blocked; include plans to evacuate people with 

disabilities and others with access or functional needs, as well as pets, service 

animals, and livestock.

- If you will evacuate by car, keep your car fueled and in good condition. Keep 

emergency supplies and a change of clothes in your car.

- If you will need to share transportation, make arrangements now. If you will need 

to use public transportation, including paratransit, contact your local government 

emergency management agency to ask how an evacuation will work, how you 

will get current information during an evacuation, the location of staging areas, 

and other information. 

- If you need to relocate for an extended period of time, identify a place away from 

home where you could go if you had to leave. Consider family or friends who live 

outside of the local area. 

- If you expect to go to a shelter after evacuating, download the American Red Cross 

Shelter Finder App at www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/shelter-finder-app. This 

app displays a map of all open American Red Cross shelters and provides the 

capacity and the current population of each shelter. You can also text SHELTER + 

your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area.

- If you have pets and plan to go to a shelter, call to inquire whether it can 

accommodate pets. Shelters will accept service animals.

Practice how you will communicate with family members. In a dangerous 

situation, your first thoughts will be the safety of your family and friends. In case 

you are not together when authorities issue a fire weather watch or fire weather/

red flag warning, practice how you will communicate with each other. Remember 

that sending texts is often faster than making a phone call. Keep important numbers 

written down in your wallet, not just on your phone. It is sometimes easier to reach 

people outside of your local area during an emergency, so choose an out-of-town 

contact for all family members to call or use social media. Decide where your 

household members will meet. Visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan for 

instructions on developing a Household Communications Plan.

PRACTICE
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Practice how to use an ABC-type fire extinguisher. Make sure that each family 

member knows how to use an ABC-type fire extinguisher and knows where it is 

kept in the house. ABC fire extinguishers use a chemical to extinguish ordinary 

combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires. Be sure to inspect them 

periodically and replace them as frequently as indicated in the owner’s manual.

Practice fire prevention

- Use caution any time you use fire. Dispose of charcoal briquettes and fireplace 

ashes properly, never leave any outdoor fire unattended, and make sure that 

outdoor fires are fully extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving the area. 

- Do not use welders or any equipment that creates sparks outside on dry, windy days. 

- Do not park vehicles in tall, dry grass if a fire weather watch or fire weather/red flag 

warning has been issued. Exhaust systems are very hot and can ignite dry grass. 

- Store combustible or flammable materials in approved safety containers 

away from the house.

- Keep the gas grill and propane tank at least 15 feet away from any structure. 

Clear a 15-foot area around the grill. Do not use the grill during potentially 

dangerous fire weather conditions. Always have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby.

- Learn how you and your family can prevent a wildfire by using fire and equipment 

responsibly at www.SmokeyBear.com.

Practice first aid skills and emergency response actions through training 

classes. In most circumstances, when someone is hurt, a person on the scene 

provides the first assistance, before professional help arrives. Learn and practice 

response skills now so you will know what to do.

- Each year, more than 3 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for 

and respond to emergencies through American Red Cross training classes, 

including first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED), and cardio-pulmonary 

resuscitation (CPR) training. Visit www.redcross.org/take-a-class to find out 

about classes in your area. Download the American Red Cross First Aid App at 

www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app.

- The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program expands the 

emergency response network by providing training in basic response skills to 

community members. CERT Basic Training educates people about disaster 

preparedness for hazards that may affect their area and trains them in basic 

disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team 

organization, and disaster medical operations. Visit www.fema.gov/

community-emergency-response-teams to find your local program.
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STORE Store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate; know 

in advance what else you will need to take. Take time now to make a list of 

the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home 

quickly. Store the basic emergency supplies in a “Go Bag” or other container and 

be ready to grab other essential items quickly before leaving. Remember to include 

specialized items for people with disabilities and others with access or functional 

needs, such as older adults, children, and those with Limited English Proficiency. 

For a full list of supplies for your emergency supply kit, visit www.ready.gov/

build-a-kit.

When making your list, consider the Five Ps of Evacuation:

People and, if safely 

possible, pets and 

other animals/

livestock 

Personal needs—such as 

clothes, food, water, first aid kit, 

cash, phones, and chargers—

and items for people with 

disabilities and others with 

access and/or functional needs, 

such as older adults, children, 

and those with Limited English 

Proficiency

Priceless items, including 

pictures, irreplaceable 

mementos, and other 

valuables

Prescriptions, with 

dosages; medicines; 

medical equipment; 

batteries or power 

cords; eyeglasses; 

and hearing aids

Papers, including 

important documents 

(hard copies and/or 

electronic copies 

saved on external 

hard drives or 

portable thumb 

drives)

PEOPLE PRESCRIPTIONS

PERSONAL NEEDS PRICELESS ITEMS

PAPERS

Store the important documents you will need to start your recovery.

Review your homeowners or renters insurance policy and also prepare or update 

a list of your home’s contents by photographing or videotaping each room in the 

house. If your home or business sustains significant damage, you will need access 

to insurance and rental or mortgage agreements to file a claim or request assistance 

from government programs. During recovery, you may also need access to personal 

information such as medical insurance and prescriptions or warranties for durable 

medical equipment. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) can help you 

identify the records you will want to keep safe. This document is available at 

www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness. Keep papers in a fireproof, waterproof 

box. If records are stored electronically, keep a backup drive in your fireproof, 

waterproof box or store files using a secure cloud-based service. 
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PROTECT

DISCUSS

Protect your property. Take steps now to reduce the sources of fuel in and around 

your home or business and use fire-resistant construction materials when possible. 

The National Fire Protection Association recommends a defensible space of up to 

200 feet from a structure. 

Discuss what you have done to prepare with your family, friends, 

neighbors, and colleagues. Talking about preparedness with others will help 

you think through your plans, share information about alerts and warnings, and 

share tips for protecting property. Talking about disasters and helping others 

prepare makes everyone safer. 

Discuss how your community can reduce risk. Work with others in your 

community to improve community resilience planning. Find out if your community 

has a Community Wildfire Protection Plan or is a Fire Adapted Community. Work 

with others to discuss ways to prevent fires and support community firefighters. 

For more information on mitigation options for reducing your community’s risk, 

see Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards at 

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/30627?id=6938.

If you see a fire nearby or approaching, call 911 to report the fire. 

Do not assume that someone else has reported it. If the danger 

is significant, local authorities may issue an evacuation notice to 

alert residents that a fire is nearby and it is important to leave 

the area. Evacuation orders vary by state and may range from 

voluntary to mandatory.

- If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, do so immediately. Be sure to 

remember the Five Ps of Evacuation: People, Prescriptions, Papers, 

Personal Needs, and Priceless Items.

- While your safety and your family’s safety are most important, there are things 

you can do before evacuating that can help firefighters. If there is time before you 

need to evacuate, do the following:

✓ Turn on lights outside and in every room to make the house more visible 

in heavy smoke. 

✓ Close all windows, vents, doors, and fireplace screens. This will help 

reduce drafts in the home and reduce radiant heat.

✓ Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be opened 

by hand if you lose power. 

✓ Move flammable furniture, including outdoor furniture, into the center of 

the home away from windows and sliding glass doors. Remove flammable 

curtains and window treatments. 

PROTECT 

YOURSELF

DURING

A WILDFIRE

EVACUATE
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✓ Connect garden hoses. Fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with 

water. Shut off natural gas from the source, and move propane or fuel oil 

supplies away from the house.

✓ Follow any additional guidance provided by local authorities. 

- When driving away from a fire: 

✓ Roll up windows and close air vents because smoke from a fire can 

irritate your eyes and respiratory system. 

✓ Drive slowly with your headlights on because smoke can reduce visibility. 

✓ Watch for other vehicles, pedestrians, and fleeing animals. 

✓ Avoid driving through heavy smoke, if possible.

If you do not leave before the fire reaches your immediate area and you are trapped 

in your home, take the following actions: 

- Call 911, provide your location, and explain your situation.

- Turn on the lights to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke. 

- Keep doors, windows, vents, and fire screens closed. Keep your doors unlocked. 

- Move flammable materials (e.g., curtains, furniture) away from windows 

and sliding glass doors. 

- Fill sinks and tubs with water.

- Stay inside, away from outside walls and windows.

Researchers are examining guidance to provide the best advice for last resort 

actions if you are trapped in a vehicle or outdoors. If you are in a vehicle, base 

your decision to stay in the vehicle or to take cover outside on your specific 

circumstances, including your distance from the fire, the direction of the fire, 

whether there is fuel (e.g., brush and trees) near your vehicle, and the potential for 

rescue. Try to stay away from fuel sources; stay in a rocky area or roadway, or near 

a water source. Stay low to reduce the effects of heat and smoke, breathe through 

cloth to avoid inhaling smoke, and cover yourself with a wool blanket or coat, or 

even dirt. If you are trapped by the fire, immediately call 911, if possible, to provide 

your location and explain your situation. 

IF TRAPPED IN 

YOUR HOME

IF TRAPPED IN 

A VEHICLE OR 

OUTDOORS
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- Use caution when entering burned areas. Hazards may still exist, including hot 

spots that can ignite or trees that can fall without warning.

- Be careful: avoid walking on smoldering surfaces. After a fire, the ground may 

contain heat pockets that can cause severe injury or spark another fire. 

- Check the attic. If you see smoke or fire, get out of the house and call 911.

- Wear leather gloves to protect your hands and heavy, thick-soled shoes to 

protect your feet.

- Look out for power poles that may be unstable due to the fire. Stay away from 

downed power lines and report them to 911 or the power company’s emergency 

number. 

- Watch for ash pits (holes created by burned tree roots that are filled with hot ash), 

charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers, and mark them for safety. 

Warn family and neighbors to keep clear.

- Check the roof and gutters. If possible, wet them down to completely put out any 

smoldering sparks or embers. If you see that fire is still present, call 911. 

- Use local alerts, radio, and other information sources, such as FEMA or 

American Red Cross apps, to get information and advice as soon as it is available.

- Use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends. 

Telephones and cellular phone systems are often overwhelmed following a 

disaster, so use phones only for emergency calls.

- Call 911 and seek help immediately if you or someone you’re with has been 

burned. Cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection. 

- Discard food exposed to heat, smoke, or soot. When it doubt, throw it out.

- Do not drink, brush teeth, prepare food, or wash/bathe in water until officials 

indicate the water source is safe.

- Follow the recommendations from your local health department. For example, 

authorities may recommend tetanus shots because bacteria may be present in 

contaminated soil. 

Once the local fire or law enforcement authorities say that it is 

safe, you may return to your home. Because fire damages the 

stability of a structure, have a professional examine your home 

or office and certify that it is safe before you go in.

INSIDE SAFETY

OUTSIDE SAFETY

COMMUNICATIONS

HEALTH AND 

SANITATION

PROTECT 

YOURSELF

AFTER

A WILDFIRE
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CARE FOR 

LOVED ONES

INSURANCE

- Look for signs of depression or anxiety related to this experience, such as feeling 

physically and mentally drained; having difficulty making decisions or staying 

focused; becoming easily frustrated on a more frequent basis; feeling tired, sad, 

numb, lonely, or worried; and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Seek help 

from local mental health providers if you detect these signs in yourself or others. 

- If you have animals, watch them closely and keep them under your direct control. 

Hidden embers and hot spots could burn their paws or hooves.

- Photograph damage to your property and contact your insurance agent. Do what 

you can to prevent further damage (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof) that 

insurance may not cover.

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

Whenever possible, use fire-resistant materials for construction, 

renovation, or repairs, and practice good maintenance.

- Use Class A roof material, such as tile, slate, or asphalt with an underlayment, or 

Class B pressure-treated shakes and shingles to reduce risk. 

- Use wood treated with fire-retardant chemicals. 

- Ensure that the driveway or other access is wide enough for emergency vehicles 

to enter, as well as being clear of flammable vegetation. 

- Mark the entrance to your property with address signs that are clearly 

visible from the road.

- Install dual-sensor smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially 

near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

- Install fire sprinklers.

- Install spark arrestors in chimneys and stovepipes and inspect chimneys at 

least twice a year.

- Enclose or box in eaves, soffits, decks, and other openings in the structure. 

- Use fine wire mesh to cover vents, crawl spaces, and the space underneath 

porches and decks.

- Install multi-pane windows or tempered safety glass.

- Use fireproof shutters to protect large windows and glass doors from 

radiant heat.

LANDSCAPING ZONES

Firewise, a program from the National Fire Protection Association, defines the 

Home Ignition Zone as an area extending up to 200 feet from a structure. This 

is the area where the primary goal is limiting the level of flammable vegetation 

and materials surrounding the home and increasing the moisture content of the 

remaining vegetation. Think about creating three zones around your house or 

property, as described below. For more information, see www.firewise.org/.

PROTECT

YOUR PROPERTY
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A minimum 30-foot defensible space surrounding the house that 

should be well irrigated and fire resistant. Because fire travels 

quickly on a hill, the steeper the slope, the more open space you 

will need to protect your home. If you live on a hill, extend the 

zone on the downhill side.

- Clear away all combustible materials—including leaves or needles and 

other debris—from the roof, gutters, and decks (on top and below), and 

around the foundation.

- Remove vines from the exterior of the house. Move shrubs and other 

vegetation away from the sides of the house. Prune branches and 

shrubs within 15 feet of chimneys, stove pipes, or the structure. Avoid 

using bark and wood chip mulch next to any structure.

- Remove tree limbs within 15 feet of the ground. Create a 15-foot space 

between tree crowns.

- Replace highly flammable vegetation, such as pine, eucalyptus, juniper 

and fir trees with plants that do not burn as readily. Less flammable 

options include trees with low sap or resin content like many deciduous 

species, or those that have high moisture content, like succulents 

and some herbaceous species. For more information on “firewise” 

landscaping, go to www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/firewiselandscaping-and-plant-lists.aspx. 

- Replace or prune any plants that could help fire move from the ground 

into the treetops. 

- Ask the power company to clear branches from or near power lines.

- Store outdoor furniture cushions, brooms, or other flammable items 

when not in use.

From 30 to at least 100 feet around the house

- In this zone, reduce or replace as much of the most flammable 

vegetation as possible.

- Create “fuel breaks,” such as driveways, gravel walkways, and lawns. 

- Prune tree limbs 6 to 10 feet from the ground. 

- As in Zone 1, if you live on a hill, you may need to extend this zone 

further than 100 feet for additional safety.

From 100 to 200 feet from the house

- Keep vegetation thinned to remove underbrush and keep tall trees 

from creating touching canopies.

- Stack firewood at least 100 feet away from the structure.

ZONE

ZONE

ZONE
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If you would like more information, the following resources 

may be helpful.

- Fire Adapted Community: www.fireadapted.org

- Forests and Rangelands, Community Wildfire Protection Plans: 

www.forestsandrangelands.gov/communities/cwpp.shtml

- Home Builders’ Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones, 

Technical Fact Sheet Series (FEMA P-737, September 2008): 

www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/15962?id=3646

- Inter-Agency Wildfire information: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); Ready, Set, Go! Program: 

www.wildlandfirersg.org

- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): www.nfpa.org

- NFPA’s Firewise Communities Program: www.firewise.org

- National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov

- National Weather Service Fire Weather: www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge2/fire/

- Ready: www.Ready.gov/wildfires

- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA), Disaster-Specific Resources: Annotated Bibliography: 

www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis/dbhis_specific_bib.asp#disaster

- U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us/fire/

- U.S. Fire Administration (USFA): www.usfa.fema.gov

RESOURCES

- Identify and maintain water sources, such as hydrants, ponds, 

swimming pools, and wells, and ensure that they are accessible 

to the fire department.

- Have a garden hose(s) that is long enough to reach any area of the 

house and other structures. When evacuating, leave hoses connected 

to a water source so that they are available for firefighters.

WATER 

NEED