Wildfire Evacuation Preparation and Emergency Kit Ideas

Unfortunately, wildfires are no longer rare events. They happen every year with more frequency and in more locations. As a result, they’re affecting more people than ever. Virtually every state in the United States has experienced wildfires, so no matter where you live it is worth having a plan.

Having a wildfire evacuation kit can help you stay safe, beat the crowds and avoid added stress during rapidly evolving emergency situation. You don’t need to prepare for every possible outcome, but having the basics packed and ready can make a big difference.

This guide covers tips for how to prepare for a wildfire in advance, including what to put in your emergency kit, how to store it, and how to think about wildfire readiness in a way that fits your needs and life situation.

Why You Need a Wildfire Evacuation Kit

Wildfires often spread fast. When an evacuation order comes, you may have only minutes to leave your home. In that moment, you don’t want to be searching for your ID, medications, or other essentials. If you have a wildfire evacuation kit ready, you can act quickly and stay focused.

Even if you don’t live in a high-risk zone, fires can impact nearby neighborhoods, cities, and transportation routes. Smoke, road closures, and power outages can affect people far beyond the fire line. A good kit helps you manage those disruptions, even if you don’t need to evacuate right away.

Think of it like insurance. You hope you never need it. But if you do, you’ll be glad it’s there.

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Essentials to Pack in Your Wildfire Survival Kit

A wildfire evacuation kit should be portable, easy to access, and built to cover your basic needs until you reach your evacuation destination. Here are some categories of items you should consider including in your kit.

A. Documents and Information

Not only do you want to pack your important documents in order to save them from being lost to a fire, you may need certain documentation to access resources that are provided to evacuees (such as medical care or relocation assistance). Having paper copies and digital backups ensures you can access critical information when you need it most.

• Passport, Driver’s License, and/or Photo ID
• Insurance cards
• Emergency contact list
• Medical information (vaccination records, prescription list, etc.)

Consider a plastic or nylon document holder to protect your documents from water and other environmental damage.

B. Personal Safety and Health

Wildfires create more risks than just the flames themselves, including smoke inhalation and limited access to medical help. Packing basic health supplies can protect you from common hazards during and after evacuation.

• N95 or KN95 masks (to filter smoke)
• Basic first aid kit
• Prescription medications (plus extras if possible)
• Hand sanitizer and travel-size hygiene items

C. Food and Water

During an evacuation, access to safe drinking water and quick energy sources is not guaranteed. Pack foods and drinks that are easy to carry (compact and lightweight), are ready-to-eat, and have a long shelf life.

• Bottled water or water pouches
• Reusable water bottle
• Electrolyte packs or drink mixes
• Granola bars, nuts, jerky, or other shelf-stable snacks

D. Communication and Navigation

Staying updated about evacuation routes, shelter locations, and changing weather conditions is critical during a wildfire. Reliable tools for communication and make a difference when you’re unexpectedly on the move.

• Backup power bank/phone charger
• Printed map of your area
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

E. Clothing and Comfort

Evacuations may mean spending long hours in shelters, cars, or outdoor spaces. Packing a few clothing essentials and comfort items can make a stressful experience more manageable.

• Extra set of clothes, including socks and underwear
• Lightweight blanket or compact sleeping bag
• Earplugs and eye mask for rest in shelters

F. Tools and Miscellaneous Items

A few basic tools can help you solve unexpected problems quickly and stay organized during evacuation. Prioritize small, versatile items that are easy to pack and use.

• Flashlight or lantern with extra batteries
• Multitool or small utility knife
• Spare keys (home, car, storage)
• Small notebook and pen

These essentials create a solid foundation for a wildfire evacuation kit. You can always customize based on your personal needs, including supplies for pets, children, or specific medical requirements.

Go Bag vs. Car Kit vs. At-Home Kit

You might consider building more than one type of kit to prepare for different situations. While the basics stay the same, how and where you store your supplies can make a big difference depending on how much time you have and whether you’re leaving home or staying put.

Go Bag

A go bag is intended to be easy and quick to grab in case of an emergency. It should be packed, ready, and stored somewhere easy to access, like in a closet near the entrance to your home. This is the kit you take with you when you're told to evacuate immediately.

Includes:

• Essentials for 24+ hours (food, water, first aid, prescriptions, documents)
• Flashlight, charger, pocket knife
• Clothing, masks, hygiene items
• Personal valuables

Car Kit

If you own a vehicle, keeping a few emergency supplies in your trunk or back seat is a smart backup to a go-bag that you keep at home. You may be away from home when you learn your neighborhood has been evacuated. Plus, evacuations can lead to traffic jams and unexpected detours, and you might be stuck in your vehicle for longer than anticipated.

Includes:

• Extra water and snacks
• Blanket or jacket
• Phone charger
• Printed map and basic tools
• First aid supplies

At-Home Kit

Sometimes, the danger isn’t from fire directly but from smoke, road closures, or power outages cause by the wildfire. In those cases, you may shelter in place for a few days until the situation improves.

Includes:

• Extra water and shelf-stable food
• Air purifier or HEPA filters (if available)
• Masks for poor air quality
• Flashlights, batteries, and a way to charge your phone
• Medications and hygiene items

You may put together multiple kits or a hybrid kit for multiple scenarios, and there may be overlap between your different emergency kits. Prepare to the extent you feel comfortable and remember that any preparation is better than none.

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Storing and Maintaining Your Wildfire Evacuation Kit

Where you store your wildfire evacuation kit matters just as much as what’s inside it. In an emergency, you don’t want to be digging through closets or trying to remember where you stashed your supplies.

And you don’t want to grab your go-bag only to find that it contains outdated copies of documents and expired foods. These tips will help you make the best use of the emergency kits your prepared:

• Keep it visible and reachable: Store your go bag near an exit, like by your front door, or in a hall closet. It should be something you can grab quickly without thinking twice.
• Choose the right bag: Use a backpack or duffel bag that’s durable and comfortable to carry. It should be sturdy and packed with your essential items, but light enough to move with if you need to walk on foot or use public transit.
• Label and organize: Use clear labels or color-coded pouches to make it easy to find what you need. You don’t want to dig through loose items if you need something urgently.
• Rotate supplies regularly: Check your kit every few months. Replace expired food, update documents, and adjust items seasonally (such as packing warmer or cooler clothes) if needed.
• Communicate: If you live with others, make sure everyone knows where your evacuation kit is and what it’s for.

A well-packed wildfire emergency kit is only useful if you can get to it when it counts. Keeping it visible, updated, and easy to carry helps turn your planning into action when the time comes.

Planning Ahead for a Smooth Evacuation

Preparing a go-bag or emergency kit is only one part of being prepared for a wildfire. You also need to have a plan in mind to ensure a quick and safe evacuation.

• Know your evacuation routes: Check local maps and identify more than one way out of your neighborhood. The most common routes may become closed off or congested.
• Sign up for alerts: Subscribe to any local emergency text or app notifications that your city, county, or state may offer. This is often the fastest way to get reliable updates.
• Plan where to go: Decide on a meetup location or place to stay ahead of time. Keep a few backup locations in mind in case your first option isn’t available.
• Prep for pets: If you have animals, keep leashes, carriers, food, and any pet medications ready to go. Some shelters, hotels, or other evacuation destinations will not accept pets, so research your options ahead of time.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full: During wildfire evacuations, gas stations may be crowded or closed. It’s a good idea to keep your gas tank topped off during the most common wildfire seasons in your region.

Taking the First Steps

You don’t need to build the perfect wildfire evacuation kit overnight. Start with a few basics, like water, snacks, a flashlight, and essential documents. Make small improvements from there until you feel comfortable that you are prepared for a wildfire.

Being prepared isn’t about living in constant fear of disasters. It’s about reducing stress, protecting your health, and giving yourself more control in uncertain situations.

To help you get started, explore our pre-made kits and emergency supplies and equipment. We’ve also created a free downloadable checklist that will help you stay organized as you plan for wildfires in your region.