Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire preparedness is the work a family does before fire season to protect its home and get out safely. A wildfire can move faster than a person can run, and wind can carry it across roads, rivers and firebreaks. Embers riding ahead of the flames, not the wall of fire itself, are what ignite most houses.

Wildfire preparedness matters to anyone living in or near forest, grassland or brush country. The areas at risk are growing as dry seasons lengthen. For preppers in fire country, it is a permanent part of preparedness, not a seasonal worry. Most wildfires are started by people, so careful habits genuinely lower the risk.

Wildfire Preparedness Guides

• Property. Learn what protecting property from wildfires takes, from defensible space around the house to ember-resistant vents, roofing and siding.
• Evacuation. Decide in advance when your family leaves, so a wildfire evacuation becomes a calm departure instead of a scramble.
• Lessons. See how whole communities live with fast, wind-driven fire seasons in our look at Australia brush fires.

Start with the guide that fits your situation. If you own a home in fire country, begin with your property, because those upgrades keep working every season. If you rent or travel through fire country, begin with your evacuation plan, because leaving early protects your family wherever you are.