Wildfire Preparedness: As Fire Season Begins, Here's How to Protect Your Home and Family

With Oregon officially entering fire season today and the 2026 wildfire season already tracking well above historical averages nationally, there is no better time than this week to take concrete steps to protect your home, your family, and your community from wildfire. Fire managers and emergency management experts agree: preparation before a fire is far more effective than any action taken after smoke appears on the horizon.

Step 1: Know Your Evacuation Zone

Most Oregon and Washington counties use a three-level evacuation system:

Level 1 — Ready: Be aware and prepared to leave on short notice. Start preparing your go-bag and notify family members.
Level 2 — Set: Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Vulnerable populations (elderly, those with mobility issues, pet owners with large animals) should consider leaving now.
Level 3 — Go: Leave immediately. Do not wait for additional instruction. The threat to life is imminent.

Look up your address on your county's evacuation zone map now — not when the fire is burning. Oregon's OR-Alert system and Washington's Alert Sense provide county-level emergency notifications.

Step 2: Create Defensible Space

Defensible space gives firefighters a chance to defend your home and reduces the likelihood that embers will ignite your structure. Focus on two zones:

Zone 1 (0–30 feet): Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and bark from gutters and roofs. Clear flammable vegetation — especially dry grass — from directly around your home. Keep propane tanks, woodpiles, and patio furniture away from exterior walls.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce the density of trees and shrubs. Remove ladder fuels (vegetation that allows fire to climb from the ground into tree canopies). Mow grass to no more than 4 inches when dry.

Step 3: Harden Your Home

Embers carried by wind are the number-one cause of home ignitions during wildfires — not direct flame contact. Research shows that ember-resistant improvements are among the most cost-effective protection measures:

Screen all roof, attic, and under-floor vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
Replace wood shake or wood shingle roofing with Class A fire-rated materials.
Install multi-pane or tempered glass windows to resist radiant heat.
Repair or replace broken window screens and damaged or missing vent covers.
Remove wood decking and replace with composite or metal materials where possible.

Step 4: Build a Go-Bag

Pierce County, Washington fire preparedness officials recommend having a go-bag packed and ready well before fire season. Include:

Medications (at least a 7-day supply) and medical equipment
Important documents (ID, insurance, deed/lease) in a waterproof container
Phone charger and backup battery
N95 masks for smoke protection
Change of clothes, cash, and basic food and water for 72 hours
Pet food, leashes, carriers, and vaccination records for animals

Step 5: Prevent Human-Caused Ignitions

The majority of wildfires are caused by humans. During fire season, the most important thing you can do is not start one:

Obey all burn bans — they are in effect across most of Oregon and many Washington counties today.
Never park a vehicle with a hot catalytic converter over dry grass.
Ensure tow chains are properly secured so they cannot drag and spark.
Avoid grinding or cutting metal outdoors on red flag days.
Never leave campfires unattended, and ensure they are completely cold before leaving.