What to Keep in a Fire Evacuation Bag

Wildfire season is extremely stressful in California, although it seems like more fires occur year-round as time goes on. I’ve had family members evacuate numerous times over the years, and I’ve personally seen fires get too close to my own home.

Evacuations are scary and the uncertainty is a lot to deal with, but having a go-bag ready has given me more peace of mind. Taking the time to put it together on my own time (rather than when the evacuation order came in) helped a lot, too. I was able to work with a clear head and at my own pace, which made me feel capable and more in control than I’d be if I did it at the last-minute. I was able to reach out to a few firefighter friends to make sure I wasn’t miss anything, and today I’m sharing my full list with you.

A few tips to start:

  • I think of evacuation “go-bags” in terms of tiers: 1, 2, 3. Tier 1 is the top priority; Tier 3 is the least. Grab in order of importance depending on how much time you have. Another factor is how much space you have in your car; depending on the time given, you may be traveling on foot and unable to grab everything.

    • That being said, I keep Tier 1 items in a waterproof backpack I can carry comfortably. If there’s time, I have an empty crate nearby I can place the bag in (and then an extra empty crate later on to share with others, etc.)

  • If you are in a stage of life where you’re likely to have other people staying with you (ex: your kids have sleepovers, or you’re in college and have friends crash a lot), you might want to have a little extra in your go-bags.

    • When in doubt, grab your dirty hamper! You know that those clothes fit, are comfortable, and are in-season since you just wore them. There will be enough to share or get you through at least a few days.

  • My list of essentials might seem like a lot, but it’s quite compact once everything is put together. Still, you can of course adjust it to your family and your needs.

I’m not an expert by any means; use my list as a guide, not law. Trust your judgement, ask the local emergency personnel in your area for advice, and do your own research. This is just a reference piece; I am not responsible for damages that result from the use of my list.

what to keep in a fire evacuation bag

essentials

  • Phone charger plus a travel charger

  • A printed map with two highlighted evacuation routes and meetup spots (clearly label the spots #1 and #2, so you know which is the priority/ first choice)

  • Prescription medication

    • Keep this all in a zip lock bag, with printed copies of all prescriptions if possible.

  • Prescription glasses

  • Red Cross first aid kit

    • Make sure this includes over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, anti-nausea medicine, anti-acids, burn cream, itch cream, and allergy medicine

    • If the wraps/ tourniquets are neutral colored, sub them out for bright, neon colors (nothing dark); it’s easier for emergency personnel to find you if needed.

    • Optional: emergency eye wash

  • Printed copies of all important documents

    • birth certificate

    • passport

    • social security card

    • home deed

    • insurance policies

    • list of emergency contacts with printed phone numbers; don’t rely on your memory

    • optional: marriage license

  • USB video of a walkthrough of your home/ your possessions for insurance purposes

  • 3 gallons of water (one gallon of water per person per day)

  • 3 days’ worth of food

  • Can opener

  • Extra car keys

  • Cash (don’t rely on ATMs)

  • Credit card

    • Personally I have a credit card specifically for emergencies; you don’t want to worry about maxing out your go-to credit card that already has a balance on it from daily use.

  • Whistle - 1 per family member; in case you get separated or need to be rescued by emergency personnel

    Flashlight with batteries

  • Chem sticks

  • NOAA weather radio

  • Multitool pocket knife

  • Toilet paper

  • Women sanitation products

  • Paper towels (especially if traveling with pets)

  • Duct tape

  • At least one change of clothes per person

    • Wool socks are water-resistant and will keep you warmest.

    • Stick to bright colors!! You want to stand out, especially should you need emergency personnel to find/ rescue you.

    • Jacket (even if it’s summer, as this can double as a pillow/ blanket)

    • Tip: if you have time, grab your dirty hamper! Those clothes fit, are comfortable, and are in-season since you just wore them. There will be enough to share or get you through at least a few days.

  • Bic lighters and/or Zippo storm matches

  • N95 masks

  • Eye protection

  • Foil blanket

    • This may be overboard, but I store 1 per person; it can be shared or used for pets if needed.

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Wipes (both for cleaning and hands/ face)

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste

  • Extra set of retainers

    • This might seem unnecessary, but my teeth move quickly and even a few days away from them can cause headaches. They’re also somewhat hard to replace.

  • Extra zip lock bags, trash bags with ties

extra items to include in your fire evacuation go-bag

If you have time, these items are also worth grabbing. I try to keep everything but the valuables in a crate that I can grab easily.

  • Valuables and irreplaceable items that are easy to carry (ex: jewelry)

  • Family photos

    • Over the last few years, I’ve worked on scanning/ uploading all old printed photos. Having everything on USB or hard drives is much more compact and this has given me such peace of mind that should a fire occur, it’ll be easier to grab these irreplaceable memories.

  • Computer or external hard drives (ex: if you have desktop computers or external backups)

  • Walkie Talkies

  • Entertainment for children - toys, books, a puzzle, etc. (anything small/ compact that will help keep them occupied)

what to keep in an evacuation bag for pets

  • 3-5 days worth of pet food

    • Some pets lose their appetite during tense situations; others are extra-hungry. Either way, I prefer to have extra pet food on hand, especially if your pet follows a specific diet.

  • Water

    • While you’ve already set aside water, don’t assume you’ll share water with your pets. You can in a pinch, but I will never regret storing an extra few bottles.

  • Any medication and/or supplements

  • Copy of prescriptions

  • Copy of vaccination records

    • Not all shelters will take your pet if they cannot verify their vaccinations are up to date. Don’t assume they’ll be able to get a hold of your vet.

    • Anytime my pet gets a vaccine booster, I ask for an updated copy of all vaccines. Seems like more work, but it’s an easy auto-pilot habit now.

  • Collar and leash (even if they never wear them)

  • Collapsible water/ food bowls

  • Poop bags and/or travel litter set-up

  • Blanket(s)

    • I have 3 pets, so 3 blankets, but they can share in a pinch and can give the extras away if someone else needs them. Blankets are more compact than travel beds, and mine stay in the carrier at all times; it’s one less thing to think about or gather.

  • Carrier

    • I bought carriers that have wheels specifically for evacuations, because it’s easier for me to push a carrier than carry a large one (one of our dogs is 80lb).

    • I personally recommend keeping an evacuation-specific carrier right by your go-bag; don’t assume you’ll be able to reach the crate in your house.

    • I used to store everything in the carrier thinking it saved space, but you want to be able to put the animal in the crate without shuffling things around, so keep the go-bag items separate.

extra items to include in your pet fire evacuation go-bag

If you have the time or space, I highly recommend keeping a few extras on hand. They give your pet a sense of normalcy, and the calmer my pet is, the calmer I am.

  • Treats (will keep them calm/ give them a sense of normalcy)

  • Toy(s)

  • Calm collars

    • These have pheromones that calm your pets; it worked wonders when we moved and my cat wasn’t used to the new house. They’re more effective than calming treats or snacks; your pet might have an upset stomach or less appetite.

fire evacuation tips

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a few things I keep in mind and have factored into my life since putting together my evacuation bags.

  • Try to keep a full tank of gas, especially during fire season. You do not want to be stranded, and the demand for gas goes up when a state of emergency is declared (or about to be). I just make it a habit of filling up whenever my tank is half-empty.

  • Have at least two evacuation routes and meetup spots decided upon with your loved ones. I recommend labeling this on the paper map, too. Be crystal-clear with everyone which is the #1 and #2 meetup spot in case both are accessible. Don’t rely on your phones or being able to communicate; you never know.

  • Have sturdy shoes near your bed or go bags in case you need to evacuate in the middle of the night. Especially during the summer when you are used to wearing flip-flops, have closed-toe shoes nearby. I’m not saying you need work boots; just make sure they’re comfortable, preferably waterproof or resistant, and easy to walk in.

    • That being said, it’s also great to keep a flashlight and/or chem stick, plus a whistle on your nightstand, too.

    • My phone is very old and doesn’t hold a charge well, so I also keep a portable charger on my nightstand.

  • Have a pet sign on your garage door in case an emergency occurs when you aren’t home. My neighbor had this and I thought it was genius. It lists how many pets are in the home in case emergency responders (or a fellow neighbor) need to help you out.

    • We’ve also give a trusted neighbor a spare key, let them know where an additional key is (in case they lose theirs or need to tell emergency responders ASAP) and showed them were the pet go-bag is.

  • During fire season, we sleep with our doors shut and keep unused rooms’ doors shut too. This slows the spread of fires, reduces smoke, and can help maintain an evacuation route if needed. That’s why firefighters say “close before you doze.”

    • Another prep-step we take: clear entryways! Clear the brush outside and make sure the stairs, walkways/ hallways, and rooms in your home are uncluttered with clear walking paths. Sometimes the electricity goes out as a preventative measure; you don’t want to be tripping over things in the dark, especially if you’re rushing to evacuate.

All of these tips are meant to empower and help you, not scare you. It’s better to be prepared than not, and I highly recommend doing this on your own time, like a random Saturday, instead of when the threat feels more imminent, especially if you get anxious.

For a list of what I keep in my car at all times as a young woman who often travels alone, click here.

lifestylePaige DiTullioComment