The steps you take today could decide how your pets survive when the smoke rolls in.
Wildfire season doesn’t wait for anyone, and pets can’t pack their own bags. The difference between chaos and calm often comes down to having a plan you can actually pull off under pressure. People imagine they’ll have time to grab the essentials, but fire moves faster than most think. Here’s how to be the person whose pets are safe and secure instead of panicked and left behind when everything gets hectic.
1) Prepare a go bag built just for your pets.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a pet emergency kit should include food, water, medications, and comfort items for at least three days. Think collapsible bowls, vaccination records, a spare leash, and a familiar toy to help ease stress. Sealing food in airtight containers and packing a blanket that smells like home can reduce anxiety during evacuation. Keeping this bag by the exit or in your car means you’re not fumbling through drawers when every second counts.
2) Make sure microchips and ID tags are current.
As stated by the Humane Society of the United States, microchipped pets are far more likely to be reunited with owners after disasters. Update your pet’s microchip registry and check that collars have legible tags with a current phone number. Even indoor pets can bolt during a fire evacuation, so having reliable identification drastically improves their chances of making it home. This step takes minutes but has long-lasting payoff in high-stress situations when chaos takes over.
3) Know your evacuation routes ahead of time.
Planning where you’ll go before an evacuation order hits saves precious time. Reported by Ready.gov, families who identify multiple routes and pet-friendly shelters or hotels have smoother evacuations. Fires can block main roads, so it’s smart to know alternatives. Marking safe zones on your phone or printed map ensures you’re not scrambling for directions. Practicing with your pets, even just loading them into carriers and driving a test route, helps reduce panic when it’s the real thing.
4) Keep carriers and leashes where you can grab them instantly.
There’s no time to dig through closets during an evacuation. Storing pet carriers near an exit or in your vehicle makes securing your pets quick and simple. Nervous animals can be unpredictable during emergencies, and having carriers ready means no awkward chasing under beds. Practicing getting them inside calmly builds trust, and it’s better to do it on a normal day than when the air smells like smoke and sirens are wailing.
5) Create a buddy system with a trusted neighbor.
Having a backup plan in case you’re not home can mean everything. Giving a neighbor a spare key and instructions for your pets could save their lives if you’re at work or away when a fire breaks out. Sharing information on where you keep supplies and how to handle each pet makes their job easier. Picking someone you trust ensures you’re not left hoping someone else steps in during a crisis.
6) Print out emergency instructions for rescuers.
When you’re not home and first responders arrive, clear instructions taped to the front door help them know what animals are inside. Details like how many pets, their names, and where they usually hide make rescues faster and safer. A simple laminated card or weatherproof sticker can be life-saving. Firefighters often check these during searches, and it removes any guesswork about who they’re looking for when smoke fills a room.
7) Train your pets for quick evacuations.
Getting pets comfortable with carriers, car rides, and quick leashing saves valuable minutes. Practicing evacuation like a fire drill helps them feel less anxious in the real thing. Even small steps, like rewarding them for calmly entering carriers or hopping into the car on command, can change everything under stress. Animals mirror our energy, so staying calm during these practice runs prepares everyone for actual emergencies.
8) Stockpile extra food and water outside your home.
In some cases, you may have to shelter nearby before moving farther away. Having sealed containers of food and water stored in a shed or vehicle ensures your pets don’t go hungry if access to your home is blocked. Keeping an extra litter box for cats or waste bags for dogs in the same spot helps maintain routine even in unpredictable conditions. These supplies can bridge the gap between chaos and stability.
9) Designate safe zones inside your home for sheltering in place.
Sometimes evacuation isn’t possible, and officials recommend staying put temporarily. Picking a room with few windows and enough space for all your pets gives you a secure area away from smoke and fire embers. Keeping an air purifier and extra towels to block gaps under doors helps improve safety. Having this plan in advance means you’re not scrambling to figure out where everyone should go during a fast-moving situation.
10) Review and refresh your plan every season.
Emergency plans tend to collect dust, so reviewing them before fire season ensures you don’t overlook changes. Maybe you’ve moved, adopted a new pet, or your favorite hotel no longer allows animals. Walking through the plan, restocking the go bag, and updating contact info keeps everything ready. Fire season happens every year, but treating it like a one-time deal is where people go wrong. Keeping things fresh makes the difference when it counts.