Wildfires can be deadly. Here’s how to prepare yourself, according to experts

Fires burn millions of acres across the US every year, destroying homes, claiming lives and causing billions of dollars in damage. With the stakes so high, wildfire preparation is crucial, especially if you live in a state like California, where every summer brings smoky air, road closures and evacuations.

Below is a concise list of steps you can take to prepare your family and home. We’ve compiled this information — including wildfire preparedness essentials — after talking to experts from two fire departments and the American Red Cross. We’ll also point you to trustworthy natural disaster preparedness resources, such as the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready.gov emergency and disaster site.

If there’s one thing you should take away from this guide, it’s that any prep counts, even if it’s just signing up for local emergency alerts.

How to prepare for a wildfire

Sign up for emergency alerts

“Having a plan and being prepared to evacuate maximizes your ability to leave safely,” says Fredrick Fielding, a public information officer at the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Planning starts with signing up for emergency alerts in your area so you’re aware of weather and fire conditions, red flag warnings and evacuation orders.

The main source for natural disaster updates is Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a national warning system that automatically pings compatible phones. While you don’t have to sign up for WEA, Denise Everhart, a division disaster executive at the American Red Cross, recommends ensuring you have the alerts enabled (check your smartphone’s notification settings).

Social media is another valuable resource where you can follow your local fire department and law enforcement for updates. “X or Twitter is really where a lot of public information officers will start putting out that information in real time, which allows the media to pick up, but also we encourage the public to follow those accounts,” says Scott Safechuck, a public information officer at the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

For a shortcut, you can also download the Red Cross’ Emergency: Severe Weather App from the Google Play or App Store (or text “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999). With Red Cross shelter maps, emergency alerts and planning resources, it’s a comprehensive resource for natural disaster prep.

It’s worth being prepared year-round as well because you never know when wildfires will strike. “One common misconception in Southern California is that when the weather cools down the threat from wildfires also dies down, but fires are more receptive to high winds and low humidity,” Fielding says. That means that fire season can persist through fall and winter until the area receives heavy rainfall.

Make a plan

If smoke is overhead and the fire is closing in, you won’t have time to think. “You get panicked at the end. You get in a hurry, you forget things,” Everhart says. That’s why you need an action plan.

Plans will differ depending on your family’s needs, but each one should address the “Six Ps”:

Beyond establishing an evacuation plan with your family, Everhart recommends connecting with your neighbors. “We’re seeing more and more communities become aware of the wildfire threat,” she says, “and so you might have resources in your own backyard.”

Create a defensible space

Consult any fire preparedness guide and you’ll find a section about creating a defensible space. That means clearing potential fuel around your home — like grass, brush, firewood and propane tanks — while also using nonflammable landscaping features to harden your home.

What’s more, defensible space guides typically break recommendations into the three zones:

Zone One (within 30 feet of your home): Clean your gutters and remove all flammable materials, from dry brush to wood piles and combustible patio furniture. Use fire-resistant landscaping such as pavers or gravel.

Zone Two (30 to 100 feet from your home): Store combustible patio furniture, woodpiles, fuel tanks and other flammable materials in graveled areas or other fire-resistant, vegetation-free zones. Plant fire-resistant vegetation.

Zone Three (more than 100 feet from your home): Thin, prune and space out vegetation.

For more information, check out the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guide or the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) defensible space fact sheet.

Prepare a go bag

Packing a go bag full of emergency supplies is “essential” when it comes to wildfire prep, Safechuck says. You can build your go kit using a checklist from the Red Cross, Homeland Security or your local fire department, but the recommended supplies are generally the same.

Start with a three-day food and water supply (one gallon per person, per day), and then add paper maps of your area, a change of clothes, cash, copies of important documents, prescriptions and glasses.

As far as survival tools go, we’ve pulled from our best-tested guides to compile a list of top-notch products that should be in every go bag.

The best wildfire preparedness supplies

What to do during a wildfire

One of the biggest mistakes people make is misjudging how serious or dangerous a fire is. Some might think that the evacuation is temporary, only to last a few days, Everhart says. Or worse, they won’t evacuate because they don’t think they’re at risk or they’re worried about looters.

“Fire is a powerful force. It will make its own weather,” so it’s vital that families listen to emergency alerts and evacuate quickly, Everhart says. Safechuck agrees, adding that refusing to evacuate just risks the lives of emergency personnel.

So, pay attention to red flag warnings, evacuate when you’re told and follow the directives of local fire and law enforcement.

What to do when returning home

“Repopulation happens in concert with the government,” Everhart says, so it’s important to check in with authorities and wait for the green light before returning home. That’s because each household’s situation will vary depending on the damage.

If your neighborhood isn’t damaged, reopening the area might be simple, while areas that have burned need extra time.

“One thing people don’t think about is that when a house burns or multiple houses burn, it’s not like a campfire,” Everhart says, adding that houses are full of plastics, insulation and other harmful materials. “The ash itself is hazardous, and so we caution people going back to really protect themselves.”

That might mean wearing heavy-duty gloves and an N95 mask, though Everhart says that folks should listen to public health agencies for specific guidance.

Bottom line

Wildfires are devastating. The Lahaina fire in Hawaii in 2023 alone killed over 100 people, destroyed thousands of structures and caused billions of dollars in property damage, devastating the island of Maui.

But by taking an hour or two to prepare, you could save your home, your belongings and your family. The first steps are signing up for emergency alerts and discussing an evacuation plan with your loved ones. And remember: You don’t have to tackle everything in a day.

“I always tell people, if it seems overwhelming, do two things for me: Download the [Red Cross] app and put a pair of shoes by your bed,” Everhart says.

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What sets us apart from fly-by-night operations is that we speak to experts and vet every product we recommend. In this case, we interviewed two public information officers at Southern California fire departments and a disaster management expert with more than 20 years of experience. We’ve also tested most of the products we’ve recommended in this article. When we haven’t spent time with a product, we ensure that it adheres to experts’ recommendations.