Wildfire evacuation: what to take if you have 15 minutes
Wildfires move faster than any other disaster. What has to be ready beforehand and the order everything else gets picked up in.
A wildfire is the disaster that leaves the least margin. There is no five-day forecast cone and no 36-hour warning: there is a wind shift and, suddenly, an order to leave now.
What has to be done beforehand
Fifteen minutes is not enough to decide. It is enough to load. Anything that requires thinking has to be settled out of season:
- One bag per person, with clothes, hygiene, water and something to eat.
- Digital copies of documents on a drive and in the cloud.
- At least seven days of medication in one known place.
- Pet carriers accessible, not at the back of the garage.
- A meeting point and an out-of-area contact.
The order of the fifteen minutes
| Minutes | What |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | People and pets into the car; bags in |
| 3 to 7 | Medication, documents, laptops, drives |
| 7 to 11 | Close windows, clear combustibles against the house |
| 11 to 15 | Quick photos of each room and go |
Before you close the door
- Close all windows and doors, but do not lock them if your local authority asks that they be left accessible to firefighters.
- Move outdoor furniture, doormats, cushions and planters away from the siding.
- Shut off gas if your utility recommends it.
- Leave exterior lights on: they help the house be seen through smoke.
- Text someone where you are going and by what route.
Driving through smoke
Visibility can drop to a few yards. Use low beams — never high beams, which bounce off smoke — slow down, keep windows closed and set ventilation to recirculate.
If your planned route is closed, use the alternative you already thought of rather than improvising down side roads that can end up surrounded.
- Defensible space: preparing the area around your home Most homes lost to wildfire are not reached by the flame front but by embers. What to do in the first five feet, and out to a hundred.
- How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke indoors Smoke affects areas hundreds of miles from the fire and lasts for weeks. How to build a clean air room and which filters actually work.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change the price you pay or the recommendations we make.
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A go bag per person
The point of a fast evacuation is not having to decide. One packed bag per person is the difference between leaving in two minutes or twenty.
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Particulate respirator
Smoke arrives long before fire. A fitted particulate respirator reduces exposure during the drive out.
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Backup drive with copies
Photos, deeds and scanned documents. It is the only truly irreplaceable thing and it is the size of a thumb.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you usually get to evacuate a wildfire?
Sometimes hours and sometimes minutes. A wind-driven fire can cover miles quickly, so the preparation has to be done before the notice, not after.
What do I take if I only have fifteen minutes?
People, pets, medication, documents, devices and the go bag you already had packed. Everything else is replaceable.
Should I wet down the roof before leaving?
It is not worth spending the minutes on, and it can drain the water pressure firefighters need. Close windows, clear combustibles from the perimeter and go.
Can I go back for something?
No. Road closures exist to keep private vehicles from blocking emergency access. Once you are out, you are out.