5 Things to Know About Wildfire Evacuation Routes in Ontario

Wildfire
Written By Madison Henry

If a wildfire threatens your area, you may need to evacuate quickly. In Ontario, evacuation routes may change based on fire direction, road closures, and weather. Here’s how to stay ready.

1. Know Your Local Routes

  • Check municipal emergency plans for designated routes.

  • Identify two ways out of your neighbourhood.

2. Use Offline Navigation

  • Download Google Maps offline.

  • Carry a paper map in case of power outages.

3. Sign Up for Alerts

  • Subscribe to Alert Ready (Canada’s emergency alert system).

  • Follow your municipality and provincial emergency accounts on social media.

4. Practice Your Plan

  • Run an evacuation drill with your family.

  • Time how long it takes to load your go bags and leave.

5. Coordinate with Neighbours

  • Know who might need help evacuating (seniors, mobility issues).

  • Share your plan with others and consider a phone tree.

Madison Henry
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Go-Bag Essentials for Ontario Wildfire Evacuation