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Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire Preparedness Checklist: What to Pack Before an Evacuation

Use this checklist to prepare evacuation supplies, documents, go-bags, pet items, phone power, water, and car essentials before wildfire warnings become urgent.

Print Checklist Document Binder Guide

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Wildfire preparedness is not just about having supplies. It is about being ready to leave quickly with the items that are hardest to replace: people, pets, medications, documents, cash, phones, chargers, and basic survival supplies.

If you live in a wildfire-prone area, do not wait until evacuation warnings are issued to pack. A basic evacuation setup should already be staged near an exit or easy-to-reach closet.

Quick answer: A wildfire evacuation kit should include important documents, medications, cash, phone power, water, shelf-stable food, first aid, masks, clothing, pet supplies, car supplies, and a written evacuation route.

Before wildfire season, build an Emergency Documents Grab-and-Go Binder so IDs, insurance papers, medical lists, cash, and contact information are ready before an evacuation.

Printable Wildfire Evacuation Checklist

  • Photo IDs
  • Insurance documents
  • Medication list
  • Prescription medications
  • Emergency contacts
  • Cash in small bills
  • Phone power bank
  • Charging cables
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Emergency radio
  • First aid kit
  • Drinking water
  • Shelf-stable food
  • Change of clothes
  • N95 or smoke masks
  • Hygiene wipes
  • Pet carrier, leash, food, and medication if needed
  • Baby, senior, or medical supplies if needed
  • Written evacuation route
  • Car fuel and vehicle emergency supplies

What to Pack First

1

Documents and Medication

Pack IDs, insurance papers, medical lists, prescriptions, emergency contacts, cash, and important records first.

2

Power and Communication

Add a phone power bank, charging cables, emergency radio, flashlight, headlamp, and written contact list.

3

Water, Food, and Pets

Add water, shelf-stable food, first aid, masks, clothing, hygiene supplies, pet supplies, and vehicle items.

Wildfire Evacuation Supply Categories

Documents

Grab-and-Go Binder

Keep IDs, insurance papers, medical information, emergency contacts, cash, and copies together before an evacuation starts.

Open Binder Guide
Vehicle

Car Emergency Kit

Prepare your vehicle before wildfire warnings with water, first aid, phone charging, lighting, snacks, and basic roadside supplies.

Open Car Kit Checklist
Power

Phone Battery Bank

A battery bank helps keep your phone available for alerts, maps, calls, texts, hotel searches, and family updates.

Compare Battery Banks
Alerts

Emergency Radio

An emergency radio gives you another source for alerts and updates if power, internet, or cell service becomes unreliable.

Compare Radios

Before Evacuation Warnings

Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation order to start packing. If wildfire risk is rising nearby, stage your supplies, charge your devices, fuel your vehicle, and review your route early.
  • Keep your vehicle fueled when wildfire risk is high.
  • Charge phones, battery banks, radios, and rechargeable lights.
  • Place go-bags, documents, shoes, keys, pet supplies, and medications near the exit.
  • Know more than one evacuation route.
  • Take photos or video of your home and belongings for insurance records.
  • Check on pets, seniors, neighbors, and anyone who may need help leaving.

Final Recommendation

The best wildfire preparedness checklist focuses on speed and essentials. Pack what helps you leave quickly, communicate, prove identity, manage medications, care for pets, and stay supplied during the first 72 hours away from home.

Build your document binder, car kit, phone power setup, and go-bag before wildfire warnings become urgent.

Print Checklist Disaster Checklist Hub

Recommended Next Guides

Emergency Documents Grab-and-Go Binder

Prepare IDs, insurance papers, medical lists, emergency contacts, cash, and backups before evacuation stress.

Open Document Binder Guide
Car Emergency Kit Checklist

Prepare your vehicle for evacuation routes, traffic delays, smoke, road closures, and unexpected breakdowns.

Open Car Kit Checklist
Best Pre-Made 72-Hour Emergency Kits

Compare ready-made kits if you want a faster grab-and-go starting point for evacuation planning.

Open 72-Hour Kit Guide
Emergency Preparedness Checklist by Disaster Type

Choose the right checklist for wildfires, floods, winter storms, power outages, evacuations, and vehicle emergencies.

Open Disaster Checklist

Printable Wildfire Evacuation Checklist

Use this checklist to prepare before wildfire evacuation warnings become urgent.

Documents and Critical Items

  • Photo IDs
  • Insurance documents
  • Medication list
  • Prescription medications
  • Emergency contacts
  • Cash in small bills
  • Phone power bank
  • Charging cables

Go-Bag Supplies

  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Emergency radio
  • First aid kit
  • Drinking water
  • Shelf-stable food
  • Change of clothes
  • N95 or smoke masks
  • Hygiene wipes

Household and Vehicle Needs

  • Pet carrier, leash, food, and medication if needed
  • Baby, senior, or medical supplies if needed
  • Written evacuation route
  • Car fuel and vehicle emergency supplies
  • Keys and wallet
  • Photos or video of home contents