Wildfire Evacuation: What You Need to Know
Every year, wildfires affect more and more communities across Canada — and not just in rural areas. Whether you live in a small town or a city suburb, wildfire smoke, alerts, or even evacuations can happen faster than most people expect.
The good news? You don’t have to panic. You just need a plan.
Why Wildfire Prep Matters
Wildfires don’t follow predictable rules. Conditions can change in hours — or even minutes. One day it’s just smoky. The next day, you’re getting a knock on your door with an evacuation order.
Waiting until you’re told to go is the worst time to start figuring out:
What to take
Where to go
How to reach people you care about
Having a basic plan and a pre-packed go bag gives you more time, more control, and more peace of mind — even if you never need to use it.
What to Pack in Your Wildfire Go Bag
A go bag is your grab-and-go emergency kit. Everyone in your household should have one (yes, even the dog).
Here’s what we recommend including:
For Each Person:
3 days of water (2L/day) and shelf-stable snacks
Medications + prescription copies
Phone charger and portable battery
N95 masks (for wildfire smoke)
Flashlight with extra batteries
Copies of ID, emergency contacts, insurance papers
Cash in small bills
Basic toiletries & period products
First aid kit
Change of clothes + sturdy shoes
Comfort item (book, snack, small game)
For Pets:
Leash or carrier
Food + water
Collapsible bowls
Waste bags or litter
Toy or blanket
Vet info + medications
Your Wildfire Evacuation Plan
Don’t wait to figure this out the day of. A solid plan includes:
Where you’ll go (friend’s house, hotel, community shelter)
How you’ll get there (include 2 routes in case one’s blocked)
Who you’ll check in with (text family/friends to confirm you're safe)
What you’ll do if separated (have a backup meeting place)
Pro Tip: Keep your gas tank at least ½ full during wildfire season.
What to Do Before You Leave
If you’re told to evacuate — or even if you’re leaving before it becomes mandatory — here’s a quick checklist:
Close windows and doors (but don’t lock interior doors)
Shut off gas and electricity if advised
Leave your porch light on
Tape a note to your front door saying you evacuated (and took your pets)
Take a short video of each room for insurance
“Do I Really Need to Do All This?”
Maybe you’ve never had to evacuate before. Maybe it “never happens” where you live.
But here’s the thing: It only takes one bad season, one dry week, one shift in the wind.
You don’t need to be afraid — just prepared.
You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to have a plan. And we’re here to help you make it.
Download Our Free Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
We’ve put together a printable, Canadian-focused checklist to help you get started — no panic, no overwhelm. Just clear steps and peace of mind.
