The 2026 fire season has made the risks of wildfires painfully clear for tens of thousands of Pacific Northwest residents. Sixty thousand people were forced to flee their homes in Spokane County virtually overnight. Fires near Weiser, Idaho closed Highway 95 and surrounded communities with little warning. In each case, the difference between safety and tragedy often came down to preparation done before the emergency began.

Here is what Pacific Northwest residents in fire-prone areas should be doing right now.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Most counties in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho use a three-level evacuation system:

  • Level 1 - Be Ready: A wildfire risk exists. Be aware and monitor conditions. Gather your go-bag and important documents. Be ready to leave on short notice.
  • Level 2 - Be Set: A wildfire threat is near your area. Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. If you have mobility limitations or need extra time, leave now. Livestock and pets should be evacuated.
  • Level 3 - Go Now: A wildfire is imminent or already in your area. Leave immediately. Do not wait for more information. Take your go-bag and go.

Look up your evacuation zone now — before you need it — at your county sheriff or emergency management website. Sign up for emergency notifications through Everbridge, CodeRED, or your local alert system.

Build Your Go-Bag

A go-bag should be kept packed and ready near your door. Include:

  • Important documents (IDs, insurance policies, mortgage documents) in a waterproof container or digital copies on a USB drive
  • Medications (at least a 7-day supply)
  • Phone chargers and a portable battery bank
  • Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
  • N95 respirators for smoke protection
  • Cash (ATMs and card readers may be unavailable)
  • Change of clothing
  • Pet food, carrier, and vaccination records for animals
  • Irreplaceable photos or heirlooms (scan and upload to cloud storage)

Prepare Your Home

Defensible space remains one of the most effective ways to improve a home's survivability during a wildfire:

  • Clear dead vegetation, leaves, and debris from your roof, gutters, and within 0-5 feet of your home (the ember-resistant zone)
  • Maintain spacing between shrubs and trees in the 5-30 foot zone around your home
  • Move firewood, propane tanks, and other flammables away from structures
  • Close all windows and doors before evacuating — this can significantly slow fire entry into a home
  • Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible in smoke

Stay Informed

Reliable information sources during an active fire emergency:

  • Oregon: oregon.gov/OEM | oregonsmoke.org
  • Washington: mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division | dnr.wa.gov/wildfires
  • Idaho: iowm.idaho.gov | idahofire.net
  • National: inciweb.wildfire.gov | nifc.gov | AirNow.gov

Do not rely solely on social media for emergency information — follow official sources. When in doubt, leave early. No possession is worth your life.