WILDFIRE EVACUATION CHECKLIST

WHAT TO DO DURING EVACUATION

Stay informed. Check city, county and emergency service websites, and social media. Check local news,
TV and radio for updates.
Opt-in to receive emergency alerts from your county at ORAlert.gov.
Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your cell phone. Visit Ready.gov/alerts to learn more.
Keep your cell phone charged.
Have an emergency plan and go-kit ready with supplies for health, safety and identification.
Inform loved ones of your plans. Designate a safe meeting place and out-of-area contact person for family members.
Gather important items such as documents, eyeglasses, medications, medical devices, food and plenty of water.
Act early if you are older or have children, disabilities or limited access to transportation.
Plan for animals. Locate your pets and keep them with you. Consider evacuating livestock early.
Plan possible evacuation routes. Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information. If you do not drive,
make other arrangements for transportation in advance.
Plan for emergency shelter. Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCross.org. Call 211
or 1-866-698-6155 or visit 211info.org for local resources.
Check with your neighbors if you have time and can do so safely. Exchange information. Ask for help if you
need it and offer help if you can give it.
Don’t wait to evacuate if you need extra time to leave or if you feel unsafe. Conditions can change rapidly.
Make the best decision for your safety.
Relocate to a safe place outside of the affected area. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights. Follow traffic safety
warnings and instructions from local authorities.
Remain as calm as possible. Take slow, deep breaths. This will help you think clearly and make good decisions.
If you have children or pets, they will benefit from your calm behavior during this stressful time.

WHAT TO PACK IF YOU HAVE TIME

Critical: Prescription medications, medical devices, eyeglasses, food and plenty of water.
Safety: Sanitation items, first-aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, gloves, eye protection, and face coverings
or N95 masks that protect against fine smoke particles. Wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes and a hat
to keep embers out of your hair.
Communication: Phones, tablets, laptops, charging cords, hard drives or backup disks, maps and
AM/FM radio. Consider making an emergency plan with important phone numbers before an emergency.
Documentation: Photo identification, driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, passport, visa,
insurance policy, mortgage deed or rental agreement, medical records, banking or financial records, etc.
Personal: ATM debit and credit cards, cash, clothing, hygiene items, family photos and other small
irreplaceable belongings.
Animals: Extra water, food, leashes, cages or carriers, medication, identification, bedding, and vaccination
or medical records. Prepare large animals for transport and consider moving them to a safe location early.
Visit Ready.gov for more information about being prepared for an emergency, including a full list of emergency supplies.
WILDFIRE EVACUATION CHECKLIST
CONTINUED

WHAT TO DO INSIDE YOUR HOME IF YOU HAVE TIME

Shut all windows and doors, including interior doors to each room.
Close fireplace dampers and pet doors.
Turn off any pilot lights.
Remove flammable window coverings such as shades, curtains, shutters or blinds.
Move flammable furniture to the center of a room, away from windows and doors.
Leave interior lights on to make your home visible to firefighters in smoke or darkness.
Turn off the air conditioning to reduce airflow through the house.
Leave your contact information on your dining table.
Take a video or pictures of the inside and outside of your home for insurance purposes. Consider
making a home inventory before an emergency.

WHAT TO DO OUTSIDE YOUR HOME IF YOU HAVE TIME

Keep your vehicle ready. Load your emergency supplies into the vehicle and make sure the gas tank is full. Carry
your keys with you at all times. Back your vehicle into your parking space to leave quickly. Keep doors and windows
shut and set the ventilation system to recycle air to keep smoke out.
Gather flammable and combustible items and bring them inside or in the garage. This includes patio furniture,
BBQ grills, children’s toys, doormats, etc.
Turn off propane tanks. Move propane appliances and gasoline cans away from structures if it is safe to do so.
Do not shut off your natural gas. Utility companies can shut down systems when fire threatens an area. If your
natural gas is shut off during a wildfire, do not turn it back on by yourself. Call your natural gas provider to restore
your service.
Leave exterior lights on to make your home visible to firefighters in smoke or darkness.
Help firefighters by placing a ladder at the corner of the house; leaving gates propped open; connecting
garden hoses to outside water valves; and filling water buckets and placing them around the house. Don’t
leave sprinklers on or water running, as that can affect critical water pressure.
Seal your attic and ground vents. Use plywood, duct tape, aluminum foil or commercial seals.
Monitor your property and the fire situation. If you feel threatened, leave right away. Do not wait
for an evacuation order.

AFTER YOU EVACUATE

Do not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe.
Seek medical help if you are injured.
Inform loved ones that you are safe.
Continue to check for updates through local city, county and emergency service
websites, social media, local news and radio.
Visit Wildfire.Oregon.gov for more information.
Visit RedCross.org for disaster assistance.