Right now
If told to leave, leave now.
Do not wait to see flames. Embers travel miles ahead of a fire. Take your people, pets, medications, documents, and go. Close windows and doors behind you.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If evacuation is ordered
Leave immediately. Take medications, documents, phone and charger, cash, and water. Close all windows and doors behind you but do not lock them. Turn on interior and exterior lights so firefighters can see your home in smoke. Shut off gas if you know where the valve is. Do not delay your departure. Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood. If your usual route is blocked or jammed, take another way rather than waiting in stopped traffic. Follow the routes officials give, and if none is passable, call 911 and tell them exactly where you are.
If you have a few minutes before leaving
Close windows and doors. Remove flammable items from around the house: doormats, patio furniture, propane tanks. Leave a note for firefighters on the door: how many people were in the home, whether animals were left, and when you left.
If caught in smoke while driving
Keep car windows up and air conditioning on recirculate. Turn on headlights. Drive slowly. If visibility drops to near zero, pull over, keep the engine running, close all vents, and call 911. Stay in the vehicle; it provides better protection than being on foot.
If you cannot evacuate
Call 911 and tell them your location. Stay inside the house. Close all windows, doors, and vents. Move to a room with the fewest windows. Fill sinks and bathtubs with water. Keep a flashlight and phone with you.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Do not return until cleared
Fires can reignite. Downed power lines, weakened trees, and smoldering debris remain dangerous. Wait for official clearance before returning to your property.
Protect your lungs
Smoke and ash are hazardous. Use an N95 mask if available. Cloth, surgical, and dust masks and bandanas do not protect against wildfire smoke; only a well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator does, and it must seal against your face. Limit time outdoors when smoke is visible. People with asthma, heart disease, or lung conditions should be especially cautious.
Document damage
Take photos of all damage before cleanup. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Keep all receipts for emergency expenses.
Check structural safety
Have a qualified inspector assess any building before entering it. Post-fire structures can collapse without warning. Ash may contain hazardous materials.
Sources: Ready.gov Wildfires, USFA/FEMA Wildfire Evacuation Outreach, Oregon OEM Evacuation Levels, Fire Safe Marin Evacuation Guide, Cal Fire Evacuation Safety. All safety claims verified against primary sources. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
This guide is not professional emergency management advice. It is a plain-language starting point for someone in an active hazard right now.