With dozens of large fires burning across the Pacific Northwest and evacuation orders affecting thousands of residents from Owyhee County, Idaho to Kittitas County, Washington, there has never been a more important time to have a personal wildfire preparedness plan. Evacuation orders can be issued with very little warning, and in fast-moving fire conditions — like those seen during the Tartar Fire's 20-mile overnight run — minutes matter.

Know Your Zone

Every county in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho uses a three-level evacuation system:

  • Level 1 – Ready: Be aware of the fire situation and prepare to leave. Pack your go-bag, load valuables, and know your route.
  • Level 2 – Set: Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. This is not the time to sleep in — leave while you can do so safely at your own pace.
  • Level 3 – Go Now: Leave immediately. Do not delay to gather belongings. Roads may become impassable quickly.

Sign up for your county's emergency alert system now — not when a fire is approaching. Most counties use Everbridge, AlertSense, or a similar mass notification platform. Opt in to receive alerts via text, phone call, and email.

Build Your Go-Bag

A wildfire go-bag should be packed and ready to grab within seconds. Include:

  • Important documents: IDs, insurance policies, medical records (digitize and store in cloud backup as well)
  • Medications: enough for at least two weeks
  • Cash: ATMs and card readers may not work during emergencies
  • Phone chargers and a portable battery bank
  • N95 masks for smoke protection
  • Three days of food and water per person (and pets)
  • Leashes, food, medications, and records for pets
  • Change of clothes and sturdy shoes

Prepare Your Property

Defensible space significantly improves a home's chance of surviving a wildfire, even without direct firefighter protection. Oregon, Washington, and Idaho all have state guidelines for defensible space, generally organized into three zones extending out from the structure:

  • Zone 0 (0-5 feet): Non-combustible materials only — gravel, concrete, metal. No wood mulch, dead leaves, or combustible materials against the structure.
  • Zone 1 (5-30 feet): Sparse, well-irrigated, low-growing vegetation. Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and any branches that hang over or contact the roof.
  • Zone 2 (30-100 feet): Reduce fuel continuity — space out shrubs and trees so fire cannot easily climb from ground fuels to tree crowns.

Resources

Preparedness resources available to Pacific Northwest residents include:

  • Ready.gov/wildfires — Federal preparedness guidance and checklists
  • Oregon Office of Emergency Management — oregonoem.com
  • Washington Emergency Management Division — mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division
  • Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security — idhomelandsecurity.com
  • AirNow.gov — Real-time air quality monitoring
  • InciWeb.wildfire.gov — Official incident information for active fires

A few hours of preparation now can mean the difference between an orderly evacuation and a dangerous scramble. Don't wait until you see smoke.