Know Before You Go: Oregon's Three-Level Evacuation System and How to Use It

As wildfire activity picks up across Oregon and Washington, emergency managers are urging residents in fire-prone communities to familiarize themselves with the notification systems that could save their lives — before they hear an alert for the first time while smoke is visible on the horizon.

Oregon's Three-Level Evacuation System

Oregon uses a standardized three-level evacuation system to communicate the level of threat to residents during wildfires. The levels — sometimes described as "Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now" — provide escalating urgency:

Level 1 — BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat. Get prepared. Gather your go-bag, review your evacuation route, and be ready to leave if conditions change. You are not being asked to leave yet.
Level 2 — BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. The threat to your area has increased. Gather your family, pets, and go-bag. Stay tuned to emergency communications. Leaving now is strongly encouraged for people who need extra time.
Level 3 — GO NOW (Red): Leave immediately. There is immediate danger to your life. Do not wait to gather belongings. Follow your pre-planned evacuation route. Do not return until authorities indicate it is safe.

Understanding these levels in advance — and not waiting for Level 3 before taking action — is critical. Fire can move faster than people expect, and Level 3 orders may arrive with very little warning.

Recent Evacuations in the Region

The importance of being prepared was made tangible in recent weeks by real evacuations across the Pacific Northwest. Evacuation notices were issued for portions of Horsethief Park at Columbia Hills State Park in Washington as brush fires driven by shifting winds threatened the area during the late May Gorge fire incidents. In Southern Oregon, evacuation orders were issued near Central Point during the Blackwell Road Fire before being lifted after containment was achieved.

Both incidents resolved without major losses, but they illustrate how quickly an evacuation situation can develop — and how quickly it can change.

Signing Up for Emergency Alerts

Oregon residents can sign up for emergency alerts through their county emergency management office or through the statewide Oregon Emergency Alert system. Washington residents can register through local county alert systems, which vary by county — Benton County, Yakima County, and Chelan County all maintain their own notification systems.

In Idaho, the Idaho Office of Emergency Management provides resources and links to county-level alert programs. Residents are urged to register at their county level for the most targeted and timely notifications.

Build Your Go-Bag Now

Emergency managers recommend assembling a go-bag in advance that allows you to leave within minutes if a Level 3 order is issued. A basic wildfire go-bag should include:

Identification documents (passport, driver's license, insurance cards)
At least three days of medications
Cash and a phone charger
Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
N95 masks for smoke protection
Water and snacks for 24 hours
Pet supplies and carrier if applicable
A hard copy of important contact numbers

Plan Your Route — And Have a Backup

Knowing your evacuation route means more than having a general idea of which road to take. It means knowing the specific route, an alternate route if the primary is blocked, and where you will go — whether to a friend's home, a hotel, or a designated evacuation shelter. During active fire incidents, roads can become blocked by fire, smoke, or accident very quickly.