With wildfires burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — and fire season far from over — emergency managers are urging all Pacific Northwest residents in fire-prone areas to take immediate steps to prepare. Whether you live on the urban-wildland interface or in a rural community surrounded by timber or sagebrush, now is the time to act.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Washington, Oregon, and Idaho all use a three-level evacuation system to communicate fire threat to the public. Understanding your zone status is the single most important thing you can do before a fire threatens your community:

  • Level 1 — Be Ready: A potential threat to your area. Be aware and prepare to leave. Gather medications, important documents, and supplies.
  • Level 2 — Be Set: A fire is threatening your area. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Those with access and functional needs should leave now.
  • Level 3 — Go Now: Leave immediately. Do not wait for personal belongings. Your life is at risk.

To find your current evacuation zone status, contact your county sheriff's office or emergency management agency. Many counties also offer CodeRED or Everbridge notification systems — sign up today if you haven't already.

Build a Go-Bag

An emergency go-bag should be packed, accessible, and ready to grab within seconds. Include:

  • A minimum three-day supply of water and non-perishable food
  • All prescription medications and medical equipment
  • Copies of essential documents (ID, insurance, property records) — ideally stored digitally in the cloud as well
  • Phone chargers and a portable power bank
  • Cash in small bills
  • Change of clothing and sturdy footwear
  • N95 or KN95 respirator masks for smoke
  • Pet food, leashes, carriers, and veterinary records for animals

Harden Your Home

The weeks before a fire arrives are the best time to reduce the chance your home ignites. Key steps recommended by the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Washington Department of Natural Resources include:

  • Clear all combustible debris from your roof and gutters
  • Create at least 30 feet of defensible space by removing or reducing flammable vegetation around your home
  • Replace wood mulch near the house with gravel, rock, or non-combustible materials
  • Cover attic vents, crawl space openings, and eaves with fine metal mesh to prevent ember intrusion
  • Keep a garden hose connected and long enough to reach all areas of your home

Stay Informed

Multiple tools are available to help you stay ahead of fire activity in the Pacific Northwest:

  • InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov — official incident updates from the managing agencies
  • Oregon Fire Info: centraloregonfire.org — Central Oregon updates; text COFIRE to 888-777
  • Washington DNR: dnr.wa.gov/wildfire — incident information and morning briefings
  • AirNow.gov: Real-time Air Quality Index maps and smoke forecasts
  • Watch Duty App: Real-time wildfire mapping and alerts on mobile devices
  • NIFC Daily Situation Report: nifc.gov — national overview updated daily

If You See Smoke

Report new smoke or fire to 911 immediately. Do not assume someone else has already called. Early reporting allows initial attack crews to respond before a fire grows beyond control — potentially saving homes, natural resources, and lives.

With conditions expected to remain critical across the Pacific Northwest through at least next week, this is not a time for complacency. Take 30 minutes today to review your plan, check your go-bag, and make sure your family knows what to do if a Level 3 order comes.