Wildfire Preparedness Guide: What Pacific Northwest Residents Need to Know Right Now

With Oregon, Washington, and Idaho in the midst of a historic wildfire season, now is the time for every resident in fire-prone areas to review and update their preparedness plans. Whether you're in a zone currently under evacuation threat or in a region that has not yet seen active fire, the potential for rapid change — especially given the forecast wind event this weekend — means preparation cannot wait.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Oregon and Washington both use a three-level evacuation system. Understanding what each level means can save your life:

Level 1 – BE READY: Be aware of the danger, review your evacuation plan, prepare your go-bag, and be ready to leave on short notice. Leaving early is always an option.
Level 2 – BE SET: Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Displacement is very likely. Ensure your vehicle is fueled and your go-bag is in the car. Vulnerable individuals (elderly, those with mobility challenges, those with livestock or pets) should consider leaving now.
Level 3 – GO NOW: Leave immediately. Do not wait to gather belongings. Follow your evacuation route and do not return until officials declare the area safe.

Find your evacuation zone designation through your county emergency management office, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, or Washington's Know Your Zone program at KnowYourZone.org.

Build or Update Your Go-Bag

A properly stocked go-bag should be ready to grab and go at any time. Include:

Important documents in a waterproof bag: IDs, insurance policies, property records, medications list
At least 72 hours of prescription medications
Phone charger and backup power bank
N95 or KN95 masks for smoke protection
Three days of food and water per person and pet
Clothing, sturdy shoes, and a blanket
Cash (ATMs may be unavailable during emergencies)
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio for emergency alerts

Defensible Space and Home Hardening

While immediate evacuation readiness is the most important step during an active fire threat, longer-term preparation involves reducing the ignitability of your home and the space around it:

Zone 1 (0-30 feet from home): Remove dead vegetation, clear leaves from gutters and roofs, keep grass mowed short.
Zone 2 (30-100 feet from home): Thin vegetation, create separation between trees, remove ladder fuels that could carry fire from ground to canopy.
Close vents and openings where embers can enter during a fire event.
Keep wooden decks and fences free of accumulated debris.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Evacuation orders can come with very little notice. Sign up for your county's emergency alert system now, before conditions deteriorate:

Oregon: OregonAlerts.gov
Washington: AlertSense or your county's notification system (check county emergency management website)
Idaho: Idaho Office of Emergency Management at ioem.idaho.gov

Also download the FEMA app and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile phone for automatic government-issued alerts to your location.

This Weekend's Elevated Risk