Wildfire Preparedness Now: What Pacific Northwest Residents Need to Know Before the Next Evacuation Order

With more than 40 uncontained large fires burning in Oregon and Washington and extreme fire weather forecast to continue, the question for many Pacific Northwest residents is not whether a fire might threaten their community, but whether they'll be ready when it does. Emergency managers across the region are urging residents to take preparedness steps now — before the next evacuation order arrives.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Oregon and Washington both use a three-level evacuation system:

Level 1 (Be Ready): Be aware of the danger in your area. Prepare to leave at a moment's notice.
Level 2 (Be Set): Be prepared to leave at any moment. Displacement may last days to weeks.
Level 3 (Go Now): Leave immediately. Do not wait for additional instructions. Your life may be at risk.

Look up your evacuation zone before you need it. Oregon residents can use the RAPTOR mapping system. Washington residents can check their county's emergency management website or the Washington State DNR's Wildfire Portal.

Build Your Go-Bag

A go-bag should be packed and ready near your front door during fire season. Include:

Medications and medical equipment
Important documents (passport, insurance cards, deeds) in a waterproof bag
Phone chargers and backup battery
Three days of water and non-perishable food
Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
Cash in small bills
N95 masks (for smoke protection during evacuation)
Pet food, carriers, and veterinary records for animals

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Every county in Oregon and Washington has its own emergency notification system. Don't rely solely on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — sign up for your county's system to receive more detailed and location-specific information. Search your county name + "emergency alert sign up" to find your local system.

Defensible Space

If you live in a wildland-urban interface area, maintaining defensible space around your home is one of the most effective things you can do to improve survivability. Oregon and Washington both recommend:

Zone 1 (0–30 feet): Clear dead vegetation, keep grass mowed, remove ladder fuels (shrubs beneath trees)
Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce fuel density, space trees and shrubs, remove dead material

Stay Informed

Monitor local news, NW FireWatch, and official agency sources including InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov), the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and Washington State DNR for the latest incident information. AirNow.gov provides real-time air quality data to help you make decisions about outdoor exposure during smoke events.