Wildfire Evacuation Checklist | How to Prepare, Use Smart911 & Evacuate Safely

Wildfire evacuations can happen quickly. Is your family prepared to leave safely? In this episode of 2 Plus You Nevada, Sarah Johns welcomes Megan Kay, Manager of the Living With Fire Program at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, to share essential wildfire evacuation preparedness tips and explain how Northern Nevada residents can prepare before an emergency.

Learn what families commonly forget during an evacuation, why prescriptions and medical information should be accessible, how to create a family communication plan, and why having both digital and offline copies of important information matters when cell service or internet access becomes unreliable. Megan also explains why residents should evacuate early instead of waiting until a wildfire appears dangerously close.

The conversation also explores Smart911 emergency notifications, what information residents can add to their profiles, and why enrolling can help you receive local emergency information even when you're away from home. Plus, discover what's included in the Living With Fire evacuation checklist, from preparing your go bag and vehicle to choosing appropriate clothing and keeping your gas tank full during Red Flag Warning conditions.

🚨 Segment Highlights:

🔥 Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness

• Learn why preparing before a wildfire emergency can make evacuating safer and less stressful.

• Discover commonly forgotten essentials, including prescriptions, medical information, and emergency contacts.

• Understand why waiting until you see or smell a nearby wildfire can leave you with less time to evacuate.

📋 Build Your Wildfire Evacuation Checklist

• Learn what to include in your family's evacuation and go-bag plans.

• Prepare important documents, medications, emergency contacts, and other essentials ahead of time.

• Discover why having offline or printed information can be important when phones, internet, or cellular networks become unreliable.

📱 Smart911 Emergency Alerts Explained

• Learn why residents should enroll in Smart911 to receive local emergency notifications.

• Discover how your Smart911 profile can include alternative contacts, pets, medical equipment, disabilities, and access or functional needs.

• Understand why Smart911 can be especially important if you're away from home when an evacuation warning is issued.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Create a Family Communication Plan

• Designate an out-of-area family member or contact who can help communicate during an evacuation.

• Reduce the number of calls and messages you need to answer while you're actively trying to leave.

• Assign responsibilities among family members before an emergency happens.

🚗 Prepare Your Vehicle & Evacuate Early

• Keep your gas tank filled when Red Flag Warnings or heightened wildfire conditions are expected.

• Learn why officials may order evacuations before flames appear close to your neighborhood.

• Understand how fire behavior, wind conditions, road capacity, and the number of residents evacuating can influence evacuation timing.

Learn more about wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, go bags, emergency alerts, defensible communities, and wildfire safety resources from Living With Fire.

🌐 https://www.livingwithfire.org/

The Living With Fire evacuation checklist includes guidance for preparing your family, go bag, clothing, and vehicle before an evacuation.

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