With the Pacific Northwest entering what forecasters say could be one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent memory, now is the time to prepare — not when smoke is visible on the horizon. National Preparedness Level 3 is already in effect across the country, and conditions across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are primed for rapid fire spread. Here is a practical checklist to help you get ready.

Create Your Evacuation Plan

An evacuation plan is the single most important thing you can do before a wildfire threatens your home. Your plan should include:

  • Two exit routes from your neighborhood in case one is blocked by fire or traffic
  • A designated meeting point outside the hazard zone where your household will reunite
  • A list of who is responsible for loading pets and livestock
  • Out-of-area contact numbers your household can use if local communications are disrupted
  • Knowledge of your community's evacuation level system — Level 1 Ready, Level 2 Set, Level 3 Go Now in Oregon; similar systems in Washington and Idaho

Build a Go-Bag

If evacuation orders are issued, you may have minutes to leave. A go-bag packed in advance removes the pressure of deciding what to take. Include:

  • Prescription medications (minimum 7-day supply) and medical equipment
  • Important documents: ID, insurance policies, medication list, bank account info (copies stored digitally off-site as well)
  • Phone chargers and a portable battery pack
  • N95 masks for smoke exposure during evacuation
  • Change of clothes and sturdy shoes for each family member
  • Cash in small bills — ATMs may be unavailable during emergencies
  • Water and non-perishable food for 72 hours

Harden Your Home

Research shows that strategic defensible space and home hardening significantly improve survival rates when fire reaches the wildland-urban interface. Key steps include:

  • Zone 0 (0–5 feet from structure): Remove all combustible materials — wood piles, bark mulch, propane tanks, wooden furniture
  • Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Maintain low, green, well-irrigated vegetation; remove dead material; space trees and shrubs to prevent fire laddering
  • Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce fuel continuity; mow grass; limb trees to 6–10 feet from ground
  • Install ember-resistant vents, gutters, and roof systems — embers travel up to a mile ahead of a fire front
  • Replace wood shake or shingle roofing with Class A fire-rated materials

Stay Informed

Signing up for emergency alerts is free and could save your life. Every Pacific Northwest county offers an emergency notification system:

  • Oregon: OregonAlerts.oregon.gov — or contact your county emergency management office
  • Washington: AlertSense or county-specific systems — check with your county emergency management
  • Idaho: IdahoSheriff.org or your county sheriff's office for local alert registration

Also bookmark these resources for real-time information during fire events:

  • InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov — official incident pages for large fires
  • AirNow: airnow.gov — real-time air quality index
  • NIFC Daily: nifc.gov — national fire news and situation reports
  • Ready.gov: evacuation readiness guides and checklists

Fire season in the Pacific Northwest runs from roughly June through October, with August and September typically representing the peak. The best time to prepare is now — before the next Red Flag Warning, before the next evacuation order, and before the next fire.