As climate change fuels hotter, drier conditions, wildfires are more likely to occur. In January, unprecedented wildfires exploded in Los Angeles, showing how devastating and unpredictable the damage can be. In addition to destroying homes and communities, wildfires can cause power outages, contaminate the water supply, and pollute the air with dangerous particles and gasses that can cause short- and long-term health effects.
Having a plan in place and supplies on hand can help you and your family stay safe. Read on to learn how to prepare for wildfires and what to do if a wildfire occurs in your area.
Look for fire and wind alerts
Download the Federal Emergency Management Agency app to receive fire and high wind alerts from the National Weather Service—that way, you’ll know when wildfires are nearby or when weather conditions could make wildfires more likely.
When wildfires are confirmed in your area, pay attention to phone alerts and evacuation orders coming from the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert System, which do not require any sign-up and appear automatically on cell phones.
If you receive an evacuation order through the EAS, leave the area immediately.
Pack a stay-at-home kit
Stores and pharmacies may be closed while wildfires spread, so it’s important to have a two-week supply of non-perishable food and medicine at home. Having bottled water on hand is also recommended, as wildfires can contaminate the local water supply with dangerous chemicals.
You may also need a backup battery to charge your phone and a battery-powered radio so you can stay informed and connected during potential power outages.
Prepare for poor air quality
Wildfire smoke produces fine particles that are “some of the worst offenders when it comes to global health risk factors,” Susan Anenberg, PhD, professor and chair of the Environmental and Occupational Health Department at the George Washington University, said in a Washington Post article. “Once [the particles are] in the bloodstream, they can affect every organ of the body.”
Smoke and ash from wildfires can have both immediate and long-term health impacts. Immediate symptoms may include coughing, difficulty breathing, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, and chest pain.
Children, pregnant people, and people with health conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart disease are more likely to become very sick. Some people may require hospitalization.
If there’s a wildfire in your area and you do not need to evacuate, stay inside, keep the windows closed, and run your air purifier if you have one. You can also improve your indoor air quality by building your own Corsi-Rosenthal box using a box fan, a cardboard base, and filters. Limit vacuuming and frying food, which can worsen indoor air quality.
Turn your air conditioner off or put it on recirculation mode to reduce the amount of outdoor air entering your home. If you have to go outside, wear an N95 or P100 mask and avoid physically strenuous activities. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Avoiding smoldering debris, live embers, and fallen power lines is also recommended.
The Air Quality Index can give you some information about your local air quality during and after wildfires. However, AQI only measures some air pollutants, so even if your local AQI is considered “moderate” or “good,” the air could still be toxic.
“…When all these things are burning, there’s a lot more toxic compounds in the air,” Rima Habre, associate professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California, said in a Vox article.
If you can smell smoke or see ash on the ground, continue limiting your time outside and wearing a mask. Remove your shoes before entering your home so that you do not track ash inside.
Pack a “go bag”
Wildfires can spread quickly, and if you need to evacuate, you may have limited time. Pack a go bag in advance with essentials like:
- At least one change of clothes per person
- Prescription medications
- A cell phone charger
- A physical map in case damage to cell towers prevents you from using your phone to navigate
- Cash and credit cards
- A flashlight
- A battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- A first-aid kit
- Important documents like passports and birth certificates
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
- Food and water for pets if they’ll be traveling with you
If time allows, you may consider bringing:
- Valuables and sentimental items that are easy to carry
- Laptops and computer hard drives
Know where you’ll go if you evacuate
If you have friends and family within driving distance, make a plan for where you’ll stay if you have to leave. You can also use the FEMA app or the Red Cross Emergency app to identify local evacuation centers.
Some evacuation centers do not allow pets. If you are unable to bring your animals with you, talk to friends and family who can care for your pets, or identify local animal shelters and other organizations that will temporarily take in your pets during an emergency.
If you do not have a car, make a plan with neighbors to carpool to safety.
Learn more about how to stay safe during wildfires from Ready.gov and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.