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Pillar 04 · The Plan
Your wildfire evacuation guide
Five phases: what to do before the fire, during the evacuation, and after you come home. A packed kit and a rehearsed plan turn panic into procedure, so you can focus on getting your household out safely. Built on Public Safety Canada and Alberta Emergency Management guidance.
The arc of an evacuation
From the quiet weeks to the all-clear
An evacuation has a shape. Tap through the five phases to see exactly what each one asks of you — the work front-loads into the calm, so the urgent moments stay simple.
Know the difference
Two words, two very different actions
In Alberta these are the two stages you will hear. Mistaking one for the other costs the time you cannot spare, so learn them before the season.
- A fire is close enough that you may be asked to go on short notice.
- Load the vehicles, fuel up, and bring pets indoors.
- Confirm your route and check in with your out-of-area contact.
- Stay tuned to official channels; an alert can become an order quickly.
- You must go immediately; this is the moment to drive out.
- The packing was done during the alert, so simply take your bags and go.
- Follow the route authorities direct you to, even if it is unfamiliar.
- Do not return for belongings once you are clear of the area.
Pack once, ready always
Build your kit before you need it
Public Safety Canada advises every household be ready to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Build this during the calm and keep it where everyone can reach it.
Public Safety Canada lists a minimum of 2 L of drinking water per person per day. Provincial guidance often suggests 4 L per person per day to cover food preparation and hygiene — roughly 6 to 12 L per person for three days.
The 72-hour household kit
- Water, 6 to 12 L per person, plus a filter or treatment as backup.
- Non-perishable, little-or-no-cook food for three days.
- Flashlight, spare batteries, and a battery or hand-crank radio.
- Power bank or portable power source for phones.
- First-aid supplies and any medical equipment.
- Copies of ID, insurance, and your plan in a waterproof pouch.
- Cash in small bills; whistle, work gloves, and N95 respirators.
A go-bag for each person and pet
- Personal medications and a copy of the prescription.
- A change of clothes and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
- Water and a few high-energy snacks.
- Phone charger and a power bank.
- Comfort item, especially for children.
- For pets: food, water, bowls, leash or carrier, and a recent photo.
- For pets: vaccination and medical records.
If the order comes fast
Five things, five minutes
When a go-bag is already packed, the final sweep is short. Take these five, in this order, and leave. Everything else is replaceable.
People & pets
Everyone accounted for and in the vehicle first.
Medications
Prescriptions and any essential medical gear.
Documents
ID, insurance, and the written contact list.
Phones & power
Phones, chargers, and a power bank.
Cash & keys
Small bills and your keys, then drive.
Last resort
If you cannot leave in time
Leaving early is always the goal. If fire cuts off your route and you are trapped, the priority shifts to surviving the front as it passes.
- Call 911, tell them your exact location, and follow their direction.
- Shelter inside a sturdy building, in a room away from outside walls and windows.
- Close all doors and windows, but leave them unlocked so crews can reach you.
- Fill sinks and tubs with water; keep a hose and buckets ready inside.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and cover your mouth to reduce smoke inhalation.
- Stay hydrated, keep low where the air is clearer, and wait for the front to pass before going outside.
After the all-clear
Coming home safely
The danger does not end when the flames move on. Return only when officials reopen your area, and treat the property as a hazard until you have checked it.
Before you walk in
- Approach slowly and watch for damaged trees, downed power lines, and ash pits.
- Check the roof, attic, eaves, and deck for hidden embers or smouldering.
- Watch for weakened structures, hot spots, and embers under debris.
In the days after
- Photograph any damage before cleaning up, for your insurer.
- Have water tested if advised, and discard food exposed to heat or smoke.
- Give yourself and your household time; recovery is hard, and that is normal.
Smoke travels far past the flames
Smoke is a hazard of its own
Wildfire smoke can reach communities hundreds of kilometres from any fire. Track the Air Quality Health Index, keep N95 respirators in your kit, and run a clean-air room with windows closed when levels climb. Live smoke forecasts are at firesmoke.ca and air quality at the Government of Canada AQHI.
The best plan is the one you build before the season.
Print the checklists, rehearse the routes, and stage your protection while there is still time to do it calmly.