California

Inside the house

Pack your ‘Go Bag’ or Emergency Kit, ready to grab
Check that your Wildfire Action Plan is up-to-date
Know your community’s emergency plan, evacuation routes, and destinations
Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked
Take down flammable window treatments like shades and curtains, and close metal shutters
Clear away light curtains
Move anything that burns easily to the middle of rooms, away from windows and doors
Turn off the gas at the meter and pilot lights
Leave lights on for firefighters to see your house in smoke
Switch off the air conditioning

Outside the house

Bring in flammable items from outside, like patio furniture, toys, doormats, and trash bins. Alternatively, place them in your pool
Shut off propane tanks
Move grills and other propane BBQ appliances away from the house
Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use and fill buckets with water to scatter around
Don’t leave sprinklers or water running as it can lower critical water pressure.
Keep exterior lights on to make your home visible in smoky or dark conditions.
Put your emergency kit in your car
Park your car in the driveway, facing outwards, loaded and ready, with all doors and windows shut
Have a ladder handy for firefighter roof access
Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals
Keep an eye on the fire situation and don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel at risk
Check with neighbors to ensure they’re also prepared

Animals

Keep pets close and ready to go
Plan for farm animal evacuation early, arranging transport and safe locations