Wildfire Safety and Prevention

Wildfires are destructive forces that are easy to start, hard to tame, and are unfortunately all too common. Being caught up in a wildfire is one of the worst experiences you can have, as you can lose everything in an instant. In the event of a wildfire, all you can really do is try your best to keep you and your family safe.

The best ways to prepare for, get through, and recover from a wildfire. Please don't forget to use the Oregon wildfire map above along with the evacuation links if needed.

Before a Wildfire

One of the best ways to survive a wildfire is to properly prepare for one.

Gather food, water, and medicine that you will need, as pharmacies and stores may be closed in the event of a wildfire. That means you will be left without supplies unless you have some packed beforehand.

Here are the supplies you should always have on hand.

• A stay-at-home kit. This is in the event that it's too dangerous to leave. If this happens, you should have enough supplies for at least 2 weeks.
• An on-the-go kit. This is for when you need to leave. Not everyone has a place to go, and even if they do, it’s hard to suspect that anyone who takes you in will have enough supplies for everyone. That’s why it’s important to have at least 3 days worth of supplies to carry with you.
• A 1-month supply of medication.
• All financial, personal, and medical records need to be kept somewhere safe where they can’t be burned.
• A way to stay connected. One of the best bets is a battery-powered radio, which doesn’t depend on an outlet to work. This is so you can receive regular updates about the wildfire. You can also choose to sign up for emergency alerts from the local government. A backup battery and a power bank are also good ideas.
• Knowledge of emergency skills. First aid and CPR are not only good skills to know in the event of a wildfire, but also good to know in general.

During a Wildfire

Once a wildfire starts, you’ll have no idea what will happen. They’re unpredictable. If you’re lucky, the fire will be put out quickly. If not, you’re going to need to be ready. Other than that

Here is what you can do in the event a wildfire starts up in your state:

• Stay updated. Your best bet is to always stay informed. Keep the radio on to listen for any emergency updates. Sign up for alerts from your local government on your phone. Wildfires spread fast, so you’ll never know how long you have before it reaches your area.
• Be ready to leave at any moment. You’ll never know how long you have before a wildfire reaches you. You need to be ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice. Pack your on-the-go kit in your car just in case you need to.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Unfortunately, there’s a chance that you may not get an official warning from your local government. On the off chance that this is the case, you need to trust your own judgment and stay aware of your surroundings. If you see signs of a wildfire nearing your area, then it may be time to pack up and leave.

After a Wildfire

Here is the easiest part, and yet simultaneously the hardest part for some. Some find that they’ve lost nothing other than a little bit of sleep. Others find that they’ve lost everything.

In this case, all you can really do is stay safe. Wait until you get word that the wildfire has passed. Once you’re back home, take heed of these safety tips:

• Avoid anything that has been burned or charred, including ash and charred trees.
• Avoid downed power lines and metal poles.
• Wash off any ash that falls onto your skin.
• Keep children, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, a lung condition, or a heart condition away from heavily burned areas or areas with smoke.
• Throw out any food that has been exposed to smoke, heat, chemicals, or fumes.
• Follow your local health department’s advice on drinking water. Not all drinking water is safe after a wildfire.