Preparing for Wildfires

• Find several ways to leave your area.
• Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations.
• Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Gather emergency supplies, such as respirators [PDF-329 KB].

• A respirator filters out smoke or ash before you can breathe it in. Children ages 2 years and older can wear respirators and masks. However, NIOSH Approved respirators do not come in suitable sizes for very young children.
• Remember the needs of children; individuals with medical conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease; or who are pregnant.

View a full-sized image of the Be Ready: Wildfires Infographic. Share it on social media or print it out to post in your office, school, or home.

Plan to keep wildfire smoke outside.

• Choose a room you can close off from outside air.
• Set up a portable air cleaner to keep the air in this room cleaner even when it’s smoky outdoors or in the rest of your home.
• Have a Fire Weather Meter on hand to monitor the situation.
• Make a plan to keep wildfire smoke out of schools or commercial buildings.

Keep Track of Fires Near You So You Can Be Ready.

• AirNow’s “Fire and Smoke Map” has a map of fires throughout North America.
• NOAA’s “Fire weather outlook” page maps fire watches and warnings.
• Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for emergency alerts.