National Emergency Preparedness Month: Plan Ahead for Wildfire Survival

September marks National Emergency Preparedness Month, and this year, the message is more urgent than ever—especially for people living in wildfire-prone areas. The tragic wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, earlier this year serves as a painful reminder that when wildfires strike, there may be very little warning.

The January 2025 fire that destroyed nearly 7,000 homes remains under investigation, but the timeline reveals just how fast the disaster unfolded. According to official reports, the first 911 call came in at 10:29 a.m. A wireless emergency alert wasn’t issued until 11:12 a.m., and by 11:27 a.m., homes were already burning. When the official evacuation order came at 12:07 p.m., the roads were already jammed with traffic.

In the chaos, residents were eventually told to leave their cars on the road. Some of those vehicles were later bulldozed to clear the way for emergency equipment.

The usual wildfire advice is to prepare for a 3- to 7-day evacuation. But the Pacific Palisades fire showed that in some cases, residents may never return to their homes—and may not even have time to grab a bag. In fast-moving wildfires, even a well-stocked go-kit in the car may not be enough if people can’t reach their vehicles in time.

That’s why emergency planners are urging people to pre-plan more thoroughly—especially during Emergency Preparedness Month.

If you live in a fire-prone area, experts recommend creating a survival plan that covers both short-term needs and long-term disruptions. These are the essentials:

Make a plan with friends or family for a safe place to go, especially if local shelters are full or unreachable. Don’t wait until the fire starts to think about where you’ll stay.

Prepare a lightweight backpack go-kit that you can carry on foot if needed. Include basic items: a bottle of water, energy bars, a change of clothes, N95 respirators, and fire-resistant gloves to protect your hands from smoke and debris.

Take your pets. Always. Keep leashes near the door. Pets cannot survive house fires, and many shelters won’t admit animals without owners present. Leaving them behind is not a safe option.

Keep digital copies or waterproof versions of important documents, including insurance policies, driver’s license, medical records, and even photos of your credit cards. Store these on your phone and in a secure location outside your home, such as a cloud service or a trusted family member’s home.

Have cash ready for at least a week, in case credit card systems are down or ATMs are out of service.

Keep prescription medications in an easy-to-carry pouch or container, and include a list of medical conditions in case you’re separated from your regular pharmacy or doctor.

Finally, know your evacuation routes in advance. Save a map photo on your phone and keep a paper copy as a backup. Do not count on cell service working during a major emergency.

Wildfires are no longer limited to summer months or rural areas. With warmer temperatures and longer dry seasons, even city suburbs and coastal towns are seeing faster, more intense fires. The Pacific Palisades fire is now among the largest urban wildfires in California’s history.

During National Emergency Preparedness Month, local agencies and emergency services are encouraging residents to not just build emergency kits—but to think beyond them. Because when a fire moves faster than you can drive, survival depends on what you’ve already prepared.