With fire officials across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho warning that 2026 is shaping up to be an above-average wildfire season, there is no better time to review your household wildfire preparedness plan. Whether you live in the forested foothills of the Cascades, the dry ponderosa pine country of eastern Oregon and Washington, or the rangeland valleys of Idaho, knowing what to do before a fire arrives can make the difference between a safe evacuation and a life-threatening emergency.

Oregon Evacuation Levels Explained

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation notification system. Understanding each level is critical:

  • Level 1 — BE READY (Green): There is a potential threat in the area. Get your go bag ready, review your evacuation route, and stay informed. You do not need to leave yet, but be prepared to do so at any time.
  • Level 2 — BE SET (Yellow): Significant danger is present. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. If you have pets, livestock, or family members who need extra time to evacuate, consider leaving now. Do not wait for a Level 3 order.
  • Level 3 — GO NOW (Red): Leave immediately. There is no time to spare. Do not stop to gather belongings — your life is the priority. Roads may close without warning.

Washington uses a similar tiered approach. Residents should register with their county's emergency alert system to receive real-time notifications.

Building Your Go Bag

Emergency managers recommend assembling a go bag that can be grabbed within minutes. Key items include:

  • Important documents in waterproof bag: IDs, insurance policies, medical records, prescriptions
  • Water: at least one gallon per person per day for three days
  • Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
  • Medications — a minimum 7-day supply
  • Phone charger and backup battery
  • N95 or P100 respirator masks for smoke
  • Cash in small bills
  • Change of clothing and sturdy shoes
  • Pet food, carrier, and vaccination records for animals

Defensible Space: Your Home's First Line of Defense

Creating defensible space around your home gives firefighters a fighting chance to protect your property and reduces the likelihood that embers — which can travel miles ahead of an active fire — will ignite your structure.

  • Zone 1 (0–30 feet): Keep this area lean, clean, and green. Remove dead plants, leaves, and debris. Space trees and shrubs so fire cannot easily travel between them. Keep grass mowed and irrigated.
  • Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce fuel density. Space trees so crowns are at least 10 feet apart. Remove dead branches and surface debris. Keep grass mowed short.
  • On your home: Replace wood shake roofs with fire-resistant materials. Screen attic vents and eaves with 1/8-inch metal mesh. Move woodpiles and propane tanks away from the house. Clean gutters and roofs of leaf debris regularly.

Sign Up for Alerts Now

Do not wait until a fire is nearby to set up your alerting systems. In Oregon, register at oregon.gov/OEM or through your county's emergency management portal. In Washington, visit your county's emergency management office website to sign up for WA Alert. Idaho residents can register through Idaho's statewide alerting system at idalert.idaho.gov.

For additional resources, visit wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare, dnr.wa.gov, or Ready.gov/wildfires.