Wildfire Season Safety: Evacuation Tips & Home Prep
Wildfire season, which usually spans spring to fall, puts homes and people in wildfire-prone areas at risk. Wildfires spread rapidly and unexpectedly, so maintaining a protected home and knowing what to do if a fire is near you is critical.
Use this guide on home prep and evacuation tips to keep your house and your family safe.
Identify Defensible Space and Home Ignition Zone Requirements
The defensible space rule requires those living in wildfire zones, like California, to create and maintain a fire-resistant buffer around their home to protect them from the fire risk. It is usually 100 feet away from the home or the property line (whichever is closest).
Within the defensible space, there are three home ignition layers:
Immediate zone: 0-5 feet. This entire area should be non-combustible and should not contain flammable materials. It is the most critical zone to protect.
Intermediate zone: 5-30 feet. Use fuel breaks and vegetation management.
Extended zone: 30-100+ feet. Reduce vegetation density to slow fire spread.
Zone 0-5 Feet: Prioritize a Non-Combustible Perimeter
The first 5 feet around a house determine its vulnerability to embers. In this initial zone, you should not have any combustible materials. Remove plants, propane, firewood, paint cans, or anything stored beneath your porch or against your home to reduce ember risk.
Defensible Space: Remove Weeds, Brush, and Vegetation
Vegetation fuels wildfire, and removal creates a safer perimeter around your home. The main goal of clearing is to get rid of materials that embers can land on and easily ignite.
Prioritize your immediate zone, replacing mulch and dead vegetation with pavers or gravel where possible. Remove brush, weeds, plants, and “ladder fuels” (live or dead vegetation that allows wildfire to climb) from the area around your home, roof, and gutters.
Maintain your defensible space regularly, monitor for new growth, and remove it immediately. You should also irrigate your lawn regularly to keep it hydrated and less prone to burning.
Ember Risk Reduction and Home Hardening
Flying embers are responsible for as much as 90% of home ignitions during wildfires. They can travel far, sometimes miles ahead of the primary fire, and land on vulnerable surfaces or materials. Homes may ignite before the fire front arrives.
Eliminating ember traps around your vents, gutters, roof, and immediate property areas can reduce the risk of embers igniting your home or flames making contact with it. They can also accumulate in corners, crevices, and other places where regular debris naturally collects.
Roof and Gutter Maintenance to Prevent Embers
Your gutters and roof aren’t always visible, but out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Clean leaves and debris from these areas regularly, as they’re perfect kindling for fire. Gutter guards can help minimize debris accumulation, and fire-resistant materials like clay tiles or metal add an extra layer of protection.
These tips may not be as relevant if you live in a city or don’t own your building, but you can ask your landlord or city workers to keep up with these precautions.
Vent Screening and Window Security
Mesh screening over your home vents prevents them from becoming conduits for home ignition. Use a ⅛ inch metal mesh screen on all exterior vents (foundation, attic, crawl space, etc.). Don’t use plastic screens, as they can melt and create larger openings, leading to more damage.
Your windows are another point of vulnerability. Dual-panel windows and sturdy screens help protect your home, as does removing flammable materials near windows, such as decorations or furniture.
Ladder Fuels and Canopy Spacing
Ladder fuels are vegetation that allows fire to climb from the ground to the treetops. Keep at least six feet of clearance between your grounded plants and the lowest tree branches on your property to avoid this risk. You should also maintain 10 feet of spacing between tree crowns to limit fire spread.
Evacuation Planning and Family Readiness
With your home secured and protected as best as possible, you must prioritize your family's safety during these emergencies with a detailed plan and supplies.
Disaster Plan Essentials: Exits, Utilities, and First Aid
Create a home floor plan and mark all exits, including windows for emergency escape. Locate and label the location of your utility shut-offs for water, electricity, your home solar system, and gas. Ensure all family members know how to turn these systems off.
Your disaster plan should also have emergency contacts listed and instructions for basic first aid.
While you’re at it, you can also take measures to reduce wildfire risk, like shifting to energy-efficient practices.
Reunion Locations and Community Evacuation
Select and clearly define two reunion points, one near the home and one further away, outside your local community. These could be a neighborhood clubhouse or mailbox for the home location and a relative’s house or civic center for the one further away.
Emergency Kit, Documents, and Insurance Review
As you build your emergency survival kit, store your vital documents in a waterproof and fireproof bag or box. You may also want a durable, heat-resistant power source like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus + 220W Solar Panel. Review your insurance policy to know what’s covered, and regularly take photos of everything in your home to detail items lost or damaged if necessary.
Emergency Kit Must-Haves
Your emergency kit should include the following:
First aid
Backup power source, like the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh)
3-day supply of water and non-perishable food per person
A map with evacuation routes outlined
Medications
Clean clothes
Cash, credit cards, car keys
Flashlight and battery-powered radio
Vital documents
Pet supplies
Emergency Alerts and Local Updates
Learn how to use your phone or a radio to check emergency broadcasts, local weather, and news channels for timely updates. Download apps or bookmark websites for ease. You can also sign up for emergency text alerts and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the 5 Ps of Fire Evacuation?
The five Ps of fire evacuation are: People, Pets, Prescriptions, Papers, and Priceless items. This quick list helps you gather the most essential items during a wildfire evacuation. It minimizes unnecessary items so you can collect what you need quickly or have these items ready to go to prioritize safety.
What Is the 30 30 30 Rule for Wildfires?
This rule is a guideline for extreme fire behavior: If the temperature is above 30ºC (86ºF), humidity is 30% or lower, and wind speed is 30 km/hr (19 mph) or higher, there’s an increased fire risk. Knowing the 30-30-30 rule boosts awareness during periods of high danger.
How to Prepare a House for a Wildfire Season?
The best way to prepare your home for wildfire season is to maintain and protect your defensible zone, clear vegetation, use fire-resistant building materials, and create fuel breaks as much as you can around your property.
Portable Power Provides Safety, Reliability, and Readiness in Wildfire Season
Preparation is key during wildfire season if you live in an at-risk area. Knowing how to evacuate and protect your home, and what emergency supplies to have, will ensure you can act quickly if the time comes. At the top of the list of emergency items is a portable power station, like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus + 220W Solar Panel. It can charge your phones, essential medical devices, rechargeable batteries, and more, allowing you to stay safe, stay abreast of news updates, and connect with loved ones. Prepare now so you don’t panic later.