Wildfires: Are You Ready To Evacuate?
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase via our links. See the disclosure page for more info.
Wildfires: Are you ready to evacuate? The Hawk Fire burning in the hills near Reno, Nevada, is a hard reminder that a wildfire can turn an ordinary weekend into an emergency in a matter of hours. This fire started on a Saturday, and by Sunday it had grown to more than 15,000 acres, forced roughly 90,000 people to evacuate, and put other neighborhoods on notice to be ready to leave. It’s been reported that local evacuation centers are already full, so families are having to travel further for shelter.
Officials have said the fire was human-caused; it was 0% contained as it grew, and shifting winds made it move unpredictably. Nevada’s governor declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and activated the National Guard to help, and at least six people, including three firefighters, were injured as crews battled the flames.
I called my good friend, Robbie, who lives in Reno, to see how close she is to the fire. The date 8/24/2026 at 10:00 a.m. MST. She mentioned the TV news is reporting that Walgreens and Walmart are closed, that her PT department is closed, and that even the new ER is closed for now. She said all the roads are closed in and around the area. It’s still a Go Now evacuation area.
If you’re interested, you can get the FREE app on your phone called “Watch Duty”; it’s yellow with a brown flame in the middle. It’ll let you know the status of fires you want to inquire about.
If you live anywhere near wildland areas, dry grass, or forest, please don’t wait for a fire like this one to start before you make a plan. Today I want to walk you through why evacuation orders happen so fast, how to prepare your home and your family long before smoke is on the horizon, and give you a complete checklist so everyone can grab what matters and go, calmly and quickly.
Why wildfires move so fast
Wildfires driven by strong wind, low humidity, and dry vegetation can grow by thousands of acres in a single day. Fire officials often describe these as wind-driven fires because the wind pushes flames rapidly into neighborhoods with very little warning. That’s exactly what happened with the Hawk Fire, where the evacuation zone reached the edge of a university campus within about a day of the fire starting, and officials warned residents to be prepared to stay away from home for several days. This is why your family needs a plan for how you can execute in minutes, not hours.
Understanding evacuation levels
Most areas in the western United States use a simple three-level system, though the exact wording can vary by county.
Level one: be ready. A fire is burning in the area. Gather your go bags, fuel your vehicle, and stay tuned to local alerts.
Level two: be set. This is a warning to leave now if you have family members who need extra time, pets, or medical equipment. Officials often say to leave now and be prepared to stay away for several days.
Level three: go now. This is a mandatory evacuation. Leave immediately without waiting to pack. Take only what’s already in your go bag.
Knowing which evacuation level your neighborhood is under, and understanding that the level can jump quickly, is one of the most important pieces of wildfire knowledge a family can have.
Building your family evacuation plan
A good plan covers four things: how you’ll get an alert, where you’ll go, how your family will communicate, and what you’ll take.
How you’ll get an alert. Sign up for your county’s emergency notification system and download a wildfire tracking app. Keep a battery-powered radio on hand in case cell towers go down or become overloaded. During fast-moving fires, alerts can come through text message, reverse 911 calls, sirens, or even a knock on the door from a sheriff’s deputy, so don’t rely on only one method.
Where you’ll go. Pick two meeting locations, one near your home and one outside your neighborhood, in case roads are closed. Know at least two routes out of your area, since a wind shift can close the route you planned to use. Identify a shelter, a friend or family member’s home, or a hotel outside the fire zone where your family could stay for several days, since many evacuations last longer than a single night.
How your family will communicate. Choose an out-of-area contact that everyone can call or text if local lines are jammed. Make sure kids and grandparents know that person’s phone number by heart, not just saved in a phone. Agree ahead of time on a family code word or simple phrase so everyone knows when it’s truly time to leave.
What you’ll take. This is where a checklist saves precious minutes.
Preparing your home before smoke is even on the horizon.
Families who live in or near fire-prone areas benefit from doing a little bit of preparation every single season, not just when a fire is already burning.
Clear dry leaves, pine needles, and dead brush from your gutters, roof, and within several feet of your home.
Store firewood piles and propane tanks away from the house.
Keep your lawn watered and trimmed during dry months if local water restrictions allow.
Know where your gas, water, and electric shutoffs are located, and keep any needed tools nearby.
Walk your property and identify two clear paths a vehicle could use to leave, in case one driveway or road becomes blocked.
Taking even an afternoon each spring to do this kind of home evaluation and preparation can make a real difference in how a fire behaves near your property, and it also gives your family confidence that you’ve done what you can to help protect your home.
The Grab and Go Evacuation Checklist
Keep these items packed in a duffel bag or plastic tote near your front door or in your vehicle so you aren’t searching the house when an order comes.
Documents and money
Copies of identification, insurance policies, birth certificates, and property deeds in a waterproof folder
A home inventory list or photos of your belongings for insurance purposes
Cash in small bills, since power outages can shut down ATM or store card readers
A list of prescriptions, allergies, and doctor contact information for every family member
Health and safety
A week’s supply of prescription medications
First aid kit
N95 masks for smoke protection
Extra glasses or contact lenses
Any medical devices such as hearing aids, CPAP machines, or mobility aids, along with their chargers
Food, water, and light
Water, at least one gallon per person per day for three days
Shelf-stable food and a manual can opener
Flashlights and extra batteries
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Other family needs
Diapers, formula, and comfort items for babies and toddlers
Pet food, leash, carrier, and vaccination records for pets
Phone chargers and a portable battery pack
A change of clothes and sturdy shoes for each person
A small toy, book, or comfort item for young children
Sentimental and irreplaceable items
Photo albums or a backup drive of digital photos
Jewelry or small heirlooms
A list of items you’d grab if you had five more minutes, so you’re not deciding under pressure
Vehicle readiness
Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times during fire season. Back your car into the driveway so you can leave quickly without having to turn around. Keep a car charger, blanket, and extra water in the vehicle year-round, along with a paper map of your area in case GPS becomes unreliable due to road closures.
Planning for pets and larger animals
Pets and livestock need their own plan since they can’t pack themselves. Keep a carrier or leash by the door for every animal in your home, and know in advance which hotels or shelters in your evacuation area accept pets. Families with horses, goats, or other larger animals should identify a fairground, ranch, or animal-friendly campground or trailer park well in advance, since loading and transporting animals takes far more time than most people expect. Practicing a loading drill once a year can make a real emergency go much more smoothly.
A note for older family members or those with mobility needs
If you have a parent, grandparent, or family member who needs extra time or assistance to evacuate, build that extra time directly into your plan rather than assuming you’ll figure it out in the moment. Keep a list of their medications, medical equipment, and any mobility aids together in one place, and assign a specific family member to be responsible for helping them so there’s no confusion about who’s doing what when an order comes.
A note for families with children
Practice your evacuation plan the same way you’d practice a fire drill at home. Let your children help pack their own small bag with a favorite toy or book. This gives them a sense of control during a scary situation and can make the actual evacuation calmer for everyone. Talk with them ahead of time, in simple, calm language, about what an evacuation is, so the idea isn’t brand-new and frightening if the day ever comes.
After the evacuation order, what happens next
Once you’re safely away from the area, stay tuned to official channels rather than social media rumors for updates on containment and when it may be safe to return. Don’t attempt to return home until officials say the area is open, even if you see on the news that the fire seems to be slowing down, since roads may still be closed for firefighting equipment and downed power lines can be a hidden danger. When you’re cleared to return, be cautious of hot spots, weakened trees, and damaged utility lines, and photograph any damage to your property right away for your insurance claim.
Helpful resources to bookmark now
Your county emergency management website and social media accounts.
The Red Cross app for shelter locations.
A wildfire tracking app or website for real-time perimeter maps.
Your insurance company’s claims contact information saved in your phone.
How Many Fires Has the US Had In 2026?
Final Word
The families near Reno who are watching the Hawk Fire tonight didn’t expect to be evacuating this week. None of us ever do. The best gift you can give your family is a plan that’s already made, a home that’s been prepared in advance, and a bag that’s already packed, so if the order to go now ever reaches your street, you’re ready. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Reno Nevada Hawk Wildfire Depositphotos_745926648_S, Wildfire In Reno Nevada Depositphotos_745926670_S
