Wildfires, Evacuate When Told, Keep an N95, Check AirNow
In a wildfire, evacuate immediately when authorities tell you to; before then, store an N95 mask if available to protect yourself from smoke, and watch for air quality alerts on AirNow (airnow.gov). Ready.gov also says to clear a fire-resistant zone at least 30 feet (about 9 meters) around your home, free of leaves, debris and flammable materials, and not to return home until authorities say it is safe.
This article follows Ready.gov’s wildfire page: what to do before, during and after a wildfire.
Before a wildfire
Ready.gov explains (Ready.gov wildfires):
- Alerts: download the FEMA app for real-time National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations nationwide, and sign up for community alerts. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone require no sign-up.
- Air quality: watch for air quality alerts on airnow.gov.
- Emergency plan: make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if you need to evacuate quickly; plan for the office, school, daycare and other places you go often too.
- Insurance and documents: keep insurance policies and personal documents such as ID up to date, and store copies in a secure, password-protected digital space.
- Home: use fire-resistant materials when building, renovating or making repairs, and find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
- Fire-resistant zone: keep the area at least 30 feet (about 9 meters) around your home free of leaves, debris and flammable materials.
- A room for smoke: pick a room that can be closed off from outside air, and keep a portable air cleaner.
- Evacuation: learn your evacuation routes, practice with your pets and decide where you’ll go; follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Supplies: have enough supplies for your household, including a first aid kit, in a go bag or your car trunk; be careful with flammable products such as aerosols, cooking oils, rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer.
- N95 masks: if available, store an N95 mask to protect yourself from breathing in smoke.
- Phone: keep your phone charged when wildfires could be in your area, and buy backup chargers.
During a wildfire
- Evacuation: if authorities tell you to evacuate, go immediately.
- Shelters: check with local authorities or the FEMA app for public shelters; the free Red Cross Emergency app also lists open shelters. You can also consider staying with friends or family where you may be safer and more comfortable.
- If you’re trapped: call 911 and give your location, but help may be delayed or unable to reach you; turn on the lights so rescuers can find you.
- Smoke: use an N95 mask to avoid breathing in smoke, or close yourself in a room sealed off from outside air and use a portable air cleaner or filter.
- Central air: use high-efficiency filters; if the system has a fresh air intake, set it to “recirculate” and close the outdoor intake damper.
- No evacuation order but there’s smoke: stay inside in a safe place, or go to a community building with less smoke.
- Sick and need medical care: contact your health care provider for instructions, and shelter in place if you can.
After a wildfire
- Going home: don’t return home until authorities say it is safe.
- Hazards: stay away from hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris and live embers; the ground may still hold heat.
- Cleanup: wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes; use a respirator and wet debris first to keep dust down. People with asthma, COPD or other lung conditions should take precautions when air quality is poor.
- Damage: photograph damage to your property, make an inventory of your belongings and contact your insurance company.
- Communication: reach family and friends by text or social media, and save phone calls for emergencies.
- FEMA assistance: you can check FEMA.gov for disaster declarations, go to disasterassistance.gov, or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 with questions about your assistance application.
For how to read the air quality index and which levels call for care, see AQI Over 100 Means Sensitive Groups Take Care, Check AirNow; for getting official alerts on your phone, see Phone Emergency Alerts Are Free, Some Phones Need Them On; for what to put in a go bag, see Emergency Kits, 1 Gallon of Water a Day Each, Food for Days.
What this article did not check
- Evacuation routes and shelters where you live: this article did not check.
- Who qualifies for FEMA assistance: the page only lists where to ask, and this article did not check eligibility.
- How to choose and wear an N95 mask: the page doesn’t say, so this article doesn’t either.
Frequently asked questions
Authorities issued an evacuation order. Should I leave right away?
Yes. Ready.gov says evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to.
How big a fire-resistant zone should I clear around my home?
At least 30 feet (about 9 meters), free of leaves, debris and flammable materials.
There’s no evacuation order, but there’s smoke everywhere. What should I do?
Stay inside in a safe place or go to a community building with less smoke; use an N95 mask if available, and set your air conditioning to recirculate.
When can I go home?
When authorities say it is safe.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-31.
- Ready.gov, Wildfires (page updated 2026-08-11):https://www.ready.gov/wildfires