Ontario Wildfires: EcoFlow Keeps You Ready for Evacuations
Ontario’s wildfire risk is growing fast due to hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased winds and lightning strikes. Whether you live near the boreal forests or in southern Ontario, wildfires are causing more destruction than ever. This is why preparation is key to staying safe. A solid emergency plan, a packed emergency evacuation kit all ready to go, and backup power to stay connected can make all the difference. This guide walks you through every step to help you stay safe, informed, and ready when evacuation orders are issued.
Why Are Forest Fires Happening in Ontario?
Wildfires are typically a result of weather, fuels, and ignition; in some areas, like our boreal forests, these are natural events. However, wildfire threats are increasing as the climate continues to warm and prolonged droughts continue. A warming climate also creates stronger winds and increased lightning activity, further exacerbating the danger. Scientific studies suggest that the number of escaped fires in Ontario could increase by up to 92% by the end of this century. Other factors are the century of fire suppression that has led to a significant increase in fuel, in addition to human activities like campfires, careless disposal of cigarettes, and urban expansion into fire-risk areas.
How To Prepare for Ontario Wildfires: A Step-By-Step Guide
Getting prepared will help reduce your anxiety and help keep you and your family safe when wildfires strike. Let’s take a look.
Step 1. Understand The Risks
Ontario experiences an average of 526 wildfires every year. These fires are often located in our northern boreal forests, and the highest risk is in the western half of the province. Still, the more heavily populated southeastern portion of our province is experiencing the highest increase in wildfires compared to historical records.
This is why it’s essential to be prepared and updated on current threats. Tune into your local news or get updates on social media @ONforestfires or the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, where you can view wildfires throughout Canada on their interactive map. You can also sign up for AlertReady for real-time alerts sent to your phone. If your power goes out, you can stay connected and informed using an EcoFlow Portable Power Station.
Step 2. Create an Emergency Supply Kit
When a wildfire strikes, you will likely need to evacuate. Keep your emergency kit in a sturdy bag or an easy-to-carry bin with handles so you can grab it and go in a hurry. Keep one at home and work, and don’t forget to have emergency essentials in your car.
Keep the following in your emergency kit:
4 litres of water per day per person to last 3 days
Non-perishable food for each person for 3 days
Can opener, eating utensils
Food and water for your pets, leash or carrier if needed
Complete first aid kit, including burn bandages and ointments
Essential prescription drugs, if necessary
Fire extinguisher
Emergency whistle
Soap, toilet paper, hand sanitizer
Rechargeable LED flashlights
Multi-tool and duct tape
Seasonal clothing for each family member
The EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank is compact and portable, keeping your phone charged so you can stay connected and informed.
Step 3. Create an Emergency Plan
An emergency plan is essential so you and your family know what to do when danger strikes. Your plan should include primary and alternate evacuation routes, but always check current Ontario Road Conditions before you leave. If you are given an evacuation order, follow the instructions provided by emergency personnel.
You also need a family communication plan, including who to contact in an emergency, how to contact them, and where to meet up if you become separated, including a virtual meeting place like Facebook. Ensure each family member has that information on their phones, and practice your plan at least once a year to ensure everyone knows what to do. Be sure to go over the location and contents of your emergency kit, including some basic first aid. This is also a good time to refresh your kit's water, food, and medical supplies and recharge flashlights and portable power devices.
Step 4. Understand Your Evacuation Stages
If your area is under an Evacuation Alert, you must get ready to leave on short notice. Pack your emergency supplies in your car, gather important documents and cherished memos, and pack everything in your vehicle. Also, prepare your pets and ensure you have at least a half-tank of gas or a half-charged battery, as well as cash in case the ATMs aren’t working. Disconnect your automatic garage door opener so you can open it manually if the power is out, or park your car outside so you can leave quickly.
If an Evacuation Order is issued, close all your doors and windows and turn on exterior lights so firefighters can see your home. Then, follow emergency officials' instructions on where to go and leave immediately.
Once the danger is over, an Evacuation Rescind will be issued, and then you can return home as long as your route is drivable.
Step 5. Get an Emergency Power Supply
Wildfires can cause power outages, so having a backup power supply is essential to help keep your family safe, stay connected, and be notified of evacuation alerts and orders.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus offers 1024Wh output, which will run your refrigerator and charge your devices. Yet it’s still compact and portable enough to easily pack into your car if you are under an evacuation order. Ideally, you should have one for the road and one at home. One of the best advantages of a portable power station over traditional generators is that they don’t use fossil fuels, so they won’t cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which kills 300 people yearly in Canada. If you pair it with some solar panels, you can recharge it easily every day and stay connected and informed through extended outages.
Step 6. Protect Your Home
You can reduce wildfire risks around your home by following some simple steps, like clearing combustible materials next to your home, storing firewood away from your house, planting fire-resistant vegetation, cleaning up low branches and fallen debris, etc. You can find more information on the FireSmart Canada website. Also, ensure your home insurance covers wildfire damage.
How Do I Report a Wildfire in Ontario?
To report a wildfire in northwestern and northeastern Ontario, call 310-fire. If you are located in central and southern Ontario, south of the French and Mattawa Rivers, simply call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Province Has the Most Forest Fires in Canada?
British Columbia typically has the highest number of individual wildfires, about 1600 annually. BC is followed by Alberta, which has about 1200 wildfires annually.
When Was the Biggest Forest Fire in Canada?
Canada’s 2023 wildfire season was the biggest forest fire ever recorded, with more than 6,000 fires that burned 15 million hectares of land. That’s more land than all of England and more than twice the previous record set in Canada back in 1989.
What Are the Locations That Experience Wildfires?
Wildfires are most common in forested areas with dry climates, like the northern boreal forests of Ontario and the rest of Canada. However, as the climate warms and prolonged droughts continue, wildfires are becoming more common in the wetter forested areas of southern Ontario.
Final Thoughts
Ontario’s wildfires are becoming more unpredictable and more dangerous each year. But you can protect what matters most with the proper planning, from emergency kits, evacuation routes, and backup power to stay connected and up-to-date on alerts. Take steps now to prepare your home and family before wildfire season peaks. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus offers safe, reliable energy to keep your phones charged and fridges running, and it’s compact enough to grab and go if you need power on the road. Stay prepared and stay safe this wildfire season.