Pack documents, medication lists, chargers, suitable clothing, pet supplies, and contacts while conditions are calm.
Make it practical
Assign a person to load essentials and another to assist dependents. Leave early when you need extra time; never delay an evacuation to finish packing. A burning-home escape is immediate and has no packing stage.
Use a ready-to-leave arrangement
- Place the bag where it can be reached without blocking an exit. Keep keys and suitable shoes easy to find.
- Prepare documents, chargers, clothing, medication information, and pet equipment before a warning arrives.
- Arrange extra time for assisted transport and large animals. Confirm destination and route conditions through official channels.
If time is short
People come first. Leave promptly when directed and communicate your destination once safe. Do not return for forgotten objects. Smoke, a shifting fire, and road closures can make an apparently familiar route dangerous. Follow local route instructions, and never treat protective clothing or a respirator as a reason to enter a fire area.
Sources & reading
Source check: November 1, 2026. Educational synthesis; no government affiliation. During an emergency, follow current local instructions.