Skip to content

Wildfire safety: evacuation, smoke and what to do if trapped

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Wildfires can spread faster than a person can run, and the smoke can travel hundreds of kilometers. This page helps you leave early, protect your lungs, and know what to do if the fire catches you.

Do this now

  1. Leave immediately if officials tell you to evacuate, or if you see flames or heavy smoke nearby and feel unsafe. Do not wait for a second warning.
  2. Take people, pets, medications, documents, and your phone. Leave everything else.
  3. Close windows and doors as you go, but leave them unlocked.
  4. Follow the evacuation routes you were given, and do not take shortcuts through unfamiliar roads.
  5. Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) if you are in danger.

Be ready to go

Fire danger rises with heat, dry weather, and wind. When your area is under a fire warning, get ready before an order comes.

  • Put your go bag, documents, and medications by the door. See the emergency kit.
  • Park your car facing out, with the windows closed and a full tank of fuel.
  • Move flammable items, such as patio furniture and doormats, away from the house.
  • Shut all windows, vents, and doors. Turn off gas at the meter if you know how.
  • Know two ways out of your neighborhood.
  • Agree on a meeting place with your household. See the family plan.

In many places there are three levels of alerts: get ready, get set, and go. Names vary by country, so learn the system used where you live. Alert systems differ, so also watch for local sirens, text alerts, and radio.

Evacuating

Leave early. Fire can cut off a road without warning, and smoke can cut visibility to a few meters. Drive with your headlights on, keep the windows closed and the vents set to recirculate, and let emergency vehicles pass.

If you cannot drive, tell a neighbor or your local emergency office, because authorities may be able to help. Check on neighbors who may need extra time, including older adults and people with disabilities, but do not put yourself at risk.

Protect yourself from smoke

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can get deep into your lungs. It can cause coughing, a scratchy throat, and trouble breathing, and it is especially risky for children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung conditions.

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when smoke is heavy.
  • Run an air purifier with a HEPA filter if you have one, or set your air conditioner to recirculate.
  • Use an N95 or similar respirator if you must go outside. Ordinary dust masks and cloth masks do not filter the smallest particles.
  • Avoid hard exercise on smoky days.
  • Check your local air quality index and follow local health advice.

Call a doctor or your local emergency number if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or confusion.

If you are trapped

If you cannot get out, protect yourself from heat first. Radiant heat from the fire injures more people than flames do.

In a car: Park in an area clear of trees and brush, if you can. Close the windows and vents, turn on your headlights and hazard lights, and get low on the floor, covering yourself with a wool blanket or coat. Stay in the car, because it gives better protection than being outside.

On foot: Find a spot with little to burn, such as a cleared area, a road, or a body of water. Lie face down, cover your body, and cover your mouth with a damp cloth if you can. Stay low and call for help.

In a building: Stay inside, away from windows, and keep doors and windows closed. Fill sinks and tubs with water, and move to the room farthest from the fire. Call your local emergency number and tell them exactly where you are.

... danger "Never try to outrun a wildfire" A fire can move faster than you can run, especially uphill and with wind. If you are not yet in danger, drive away early. If you are caught, take cover as described above and call for help.

Returning home

Wait until officials say it is safe to go back. The area may still have hot spots, falling trees, and weakened power poles.

  • Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, gloves, and an N95 respirator when you go in.
  • Check the roof and the area around the house for smoldering embers.
  • Do not touch downed power lines or anything near them.
  • Throw away food that may have been exposed to heat, smoke, or a power outage.
  • Be careful of ash. Avoid stirring it up, and keep children and pets away.
  • Do not drink the tap water until officials say it is safe, because fires can damage water systems.

Take photos before you clean up. Insurance and aid rules differ by country, so contact your local disaster agency or insurer.