California, with its gorgeous beaches, laid-back attitude, and year-round beautiful weather in much of the state, is one of the most sought-after destinations in the country. However, living in the Golden State comes with its share of challenges, and one of the biggest is wildfires.

Unfortunately, wildfires have become an increasingly dangerous reality for our residents. Between 2017 and 2019 alone, 11 major wildfires forced over 1.1 million Californians to evacuate their homes. More recently, the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025 led to evacuation orders for nearly 200,000 people. These statistics highlight a sobering truth: wildfire evacuations are not just a possibility but a probability for many of us who call California home.

While you can’t prevent wildfires, you can prepare for potential wildfire evacuations. Good preparation is the best way to increase the chances that you, your family, pets, and most prized possessions can safely weather future fires. 

Understanding Wildfire Evacuations

During a wildfire emergency, every second counts. Fire officials work to provide evacuation notices as early as possible. However, in severe cases, there may not be time for door-to-door warnings. It’s important to stay tuned to local news sources and to understand evacuation terminology. 

An evacuation warning means a fire is in progress in your area, and you should prepare to leave. Activate your evacuation plan as soon as your area comes under a warning.

An evacuation order means your area is in direct danger, and you must leave immediately. There is no time to leisurely pack your belongings or prepare your home. Get yourself, your family, and your pets out. 

How to Prepare for a Wildfire Evacuation

Good wildfire preparation isn’t about knowing what to do in the moment. It’s all about having a clear plan and taking proactive steps long before the first column of smoke appears in the distance. 

All California residents, especially those in high-risk areas, should develop a wildfire evacuation plan that they can activate immediately. This plan can mean the difference between a smooth evacuation and a dangerous scramble when time is critical.

Advanced Preparation

Start your preparations by creating a wildfire evacuation checklist well before fire season. Your list should include tasks like:

  • Prepare a “go bag” or emergency kit with essential items
  • Create and regularly update your wildfire action plan
  • Know your community’s evacuation routes and safe zones
  • Keep important documents in an easily accessible location
  • Maintain at least half a tank of gas in your vehicles at all times
  • Sign up for your community’s emergency notification system

When Under an Evacuation Warning

There’s a fire on the horizon, and it’s coming closer to your property. You receive an evacuation warning, meaning you may need to evacuate soon. Before you go — and as long as it’s safe to do so — CalFire offers several valuable tips on what you can do to best protect your property and possessions.

Inside the House

  • Close your doors and windows, but leave them unlocked in case firefighters need to enter your home
  • Remove flammable window coverings and close metal shutters
  • Move flammable furniture to the center of rooms, away from windows
  • Shut off gas at the meter and turn off pilot lights
  • Leave lights on so firefighters can see your house in smoke
  • Turn off air conditioning 

Outside the House

  • Bring in outdoor furniture, doormats, and trash bins
  • Shut off propane tanks and move BBQ appliances away from structures
  • Connect garden hoses for firefighter use
  • Keep exterior lights on for visibility
  • Park your vehicles in the driveway facing outward, loaded and ready

When to Evacuate & Warning Signs

Newer California residents might be surprised to discover that it isn’t always simple to know whether to evacuate during a wildfire. Many factors, like humidity, wind strength, and the dryness of vegetation, can affect how quickly wildfires spread.

When conditions are good, firefighters can pounce on a fire and get it under control quickly. You may never have to evacuate at all. However, when winds are high, and vegetation is dry, even a small spark can quickly turn into a fast-spreading fire that requires immediate evacuation.

Make sure you’re signed up for your community’s emergency notification system. Pay attention to any warnings about fires. If you are under an evacuation warning, pack up your car and be prepared to leave. When you get the notification to evacuate, it’s time to go.

You can get notifications in several ways, including:

  • Alerts on your phone
  • Emergency broadcasts on the local news and radio station
  • Door-to-door notifications from firefighters

While warnings and orders can help you know when to evacuate during a wildfire, you don’t have to wait for an official notice to act. If you feel threatened, follow your instinct and get out. Major warning signs that a fire is approaching include:

  • Strong smell of smoke
  • Falling ash
  • Visible smoke or flames in your area

Fire behavior can change rapidly due to wind and terrain conditions. Leaving early is often the safest choice.   

What to Do During an Evacuation

Wildfire evacuations can be scary and stressful, especially if you have young children and pets that don’t understand what’s happening. When you get the evacuation order (or decide to evacuate based on conditions), the first step is to stay calm and focused.

Now is the time to rely on your planned evacuation route. Avoid shortcuts, as these might be blocked or dangerous. If possible, communicate your evacuation plans with family members or friends not in the affected area.

During the evacuation:

  • Dress protectively in 100% cotton clothing, including long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes
  • Grab your pre-packed “go bag” and important documents
  • Take your pets with you in their carriers
  • Bring food and water for your pets
  • Follow all law enforcement instructions during the evacuation
  • Don’t return home until officials declare it safe

If you become trapped during evacuation for wildfire, call 911 immediately. Look for areas clear of vegetation, such as parking lots or large clearings, where you can wait until help arrives. 

Storing Your Belongings Safely During a Wildfire

While the safety of your family and pets is always paramount during a wildfire evacuation, you also want to protect your possessions if possible. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than reading stories of families who lose irreplaceable records, heirlooms, and pictures during a fire.

There are things you can do to help protect your possessions from wildfires in advance. First, store your most important documents in a fire-resistant safe or lockbox, like birth certificates, social security cards, and passports. Keep your most valuable items away from windows and move them to lower levels in the event of a wildfire in your area. 

You may even want to consider renting a storage unit outside high-fire-risk areas as part of your wildfire preparedness plan. A storage unit can be a good repository for irreplaceable items, like family photo albums, your mother’s jewelry, or the valuable antiques you inherited from your grandparents. 

Storing these items offsite can make your evacuation from wildfire faster, smoother, and less stressful at a time when every minute counts. 

At Price Self Storage®, we understand the importance of keeping your belongings safe during California’s wildfire season. Our facilities offer secure, accessible storage solutions throughout California. We hope you’ll never need to evacuate due to a wildfire, but if you do, we’re here to help keep your most valuable possessions safe.

Find your nearest Price Self Storage facility.

Wildfire Evacuation FAQs


How close does a wildfire have to be to evacuate?

Don’t wait for the fire to get too close. Evacuate immediately when officials issue an evacuation order or if you feel threatened. Wildfires can spread rapidly. During high-risk conditions, early evacuation is always the safest choice.

What should be in a wildfire evacuation go-bag?

Pack essential items in your wildfire evacuation go-bag, including:

  • N95 mask and first aid supplies
  • Medications and prescriptions
  • Important documents (ID, insurance, etc.)
  • Three days of water and nonperishable food
  • Battery-powered radio and flashlight
  • Extra batteries and phone chargers
  • Change of clothes
  • Basic toiletries and sanitation items
  • Cash 
  • Emergency contact list

How can I prepare my home before evacuating?

Here is a list of things you can do to prepare your home before a wildfire evacuation:

  • Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked
  • Remove flammable curtains and more furniture away from windows
  • Shut off gas and pilot lights
  • Leave exterior lights on for firefighter visibility
  • Connect garden hoses
  • Move flammable outdoor items inside

Where can I store valuables during a wildfire evacuation?

Plan ahead and store valuable items away from high-fire risk areas. Your options include:

  • Fire-resistant safe at home
  • Self-storage facility outside evacuation zones
  • Cloud storage for important digital files and documents
  • Bank safety deposit box

How long does it take before returning home after an evacuation from wildfire?

The time before returning home after a wildfire evacuation varies depending on fire conditions, structural damage, and safety assessments. You’ll need to wait for official notification from fire authorities before returning home. This process can take days to weeks.