Wildfire preparedness

• Get informed – it is your responsibility to know your local coverage and have alternative ways to stay informed whether you live remotely, are travelling or are spending time in the backcountry.
  • Check fire danger ratings for your area and learn about your community’s wildfire history to help you assess current conditions and make informed decisions.
  • Download the Alberta Wildfire app for mobile devices.
  • See Alberta Wildfire for the status and location of wildfires, fire bans and restrictions, and learn more about wildfire prevention.
  • Download the WeatherCan app for advisories in your chosen location(s) and visit the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) map to track air quality in your community
  • Visit FireSmoke Canada for information about wildland fire weather and smoke. Monitor smoke forecasts to plan for poor air quality, even when fires are far away.
• Maintain an emergency kit with essential supplies and wildfire-specific items including personal protective equipment like respirators (for example: N95, KN95 or P100) or high-quality medical masks (for example: an ASTM-certified mask). Keep your kit in a safe, easy-to-access location, even in the dark.
• If you have a vehicle, keep the tank full in case fuel stations lose power or are closed. Keep a vehicle emergency kit and include an extra phone charger with necessary adapters.
• Create an emergency plan that helps prepare your loved ones for wildfire by ensuring everyone knows where to go and how to respond, even if separated when it occurs.
• Learn about reception centres to understand what they offer and what to expect if you are directed to one during an evacuation. Learn more about reception centres on the evacuation webpage.

Every home is different, and wildfire risk can vary by location. Understanding the risks around your home helps you take the right steps to protect it.

• Multi-storey building:
  • Know your building’s evacuation plan, including stairwell locations and exits. Avoid elevators during emergencies as power can disrupt operations.
  • Check your building’s ventilation system and ask your property manager how to shut off or block central air systems to reduce smoke infiltration.
• Mobile home:
  • Mobile homes are more vulnerable to heat and embers because the construction materials used are often less fire-resistant.
  • If your home is moveable, keep the tires inflated and fuel topped up so you’re not delayed if you need to leave quickly.
  • Have a relocation plan and know ahead of time where you will go if an evacuation order is issued.
• Basement suite:
  • Sign up for local alerts and emergency notifications, as you may not see outside warning signs like smoke if you’re below ground-level.
  • Basements are more likely to trap smoke and have limited air flow. Place damp towels around doors and vents during poor air quality to help reduce smoke entering your space.
  • Identify a secondary way out besides the main door (like an egress window). Make sure windows aren’t blocked by furniture and are easy to open if you need to escape.
  • Keep a headlamp or flashlight within reach to safely navigate dark stairwells or hallways if you need to leave quickly.
  • Ensure your suite number is clearly marked and visible from outside. This helps first responders know exactly where to go if you need assistance, especially in the dark or in heavy smoke.
  • If you rent, check if your unit’s smoke alarms are linked to the main household’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If not, consider adding your own battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Build financial resiliency by connecting with your insurance provider to confirm your policy coverage, the type(s) of emergency assistance offered and if there are financial incentives for taking preventative measures that increase your property’s resilience to wildfires.
• Learn FireSmart methods and share them with members of your community.
• Remove items that can burn from within 1.5 m (5 feet) of your home, such as:
  • dried branches
  • leaves
  • lawn furniture
  • firewood
  • debris

• Have a pet and livestock plan in case of evacuation. Include spaces they could be (inside, outside, daycare, etc.) where they will go, how they will get there, who can help them if you’re separated and how their needs will be met if evacuation isn’t possible.
• Make a list of kennels, hotels, shelters or loved ones who can house your pets if you cannot stay together during an evacuation.
• Connect with your municipal agricultural department or director of emergency management to find out how they support livestock during wildfires.
• Use FireSmart methods to protect livestock enclosures and barns.
• Do not lock livestock in barns or other enclosures if you believe a fire is approaching.

Your response to a wildfire will depend on where you are, the time of day and your household’s unique circumstances. If a wildfire enters your area:

• Report it, get to a safe place and prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. Never attempt to fight a fire yourself.
• Wildfire smoke can cause various symptoms and health effects. If you experience symptoms of wildfire smoke, seek medical attention immediately.
• Stay in touch with at-risk loved ones and provide assistance and access to supports when necessary.
• Listen for updates from authorities.
• Have your vehicle stocked with supplies and ready to go.
• Move vehicle(s) out of the garage in case power is lost. Disconnect automatic garage door openers so they can be manually opened.
• Move flammable items away from your property (for example: fuel sources like propane tanks and firewood).
• Close windows, doors and vents to prevent embers and smoke from entering the house.
• Leave exterior lights on to help improve visibility during heavy smoke conditions.
• Only if directed to do so by local emergency authorities, turn off utilities to limit smoke damage.
• Always obey an evacuation order if issued by an authority – failing to do so puts lives at risk.
• Once you’re on the road:
  • Use low beam headlights in smoke and fog to avoid creating glare. Drive slowly and keep windows and vents closed.
  • If you encounter a wildfire, stay in your vehicle and do not try to escape on foot.
  • If you must stop, avoid parking near flames and treed areas. Never abandon your vehicle in the middle of the road.

Some emergencies lead authorities to issue an evacuation alert or an evacuation order.

• Evacuation alerts help you prepare to leave on short notice, sometimes within 30 minutes to a few hours. Use this time to gather your kit, check in with loved ones and monitor trusted sources for updates.
• Evacuation orders are issued when there is an immediate threat. If you are inside the order’s boundaries, follow direction and leave the area calmly and promptly.
• Evacuation rescinded means once the threat has passed, an evacuation alert may be rescinded (often communicated as withdrawn or cancelled) meaning you are allowed to return home.

If you are unable to evacuate, it is important to understand the serious risks involved and take steps to protect yourself and those with you. Individuals who choose to disregard evacuation orders do so at their own risk.

• Call 911 if you are trapped by flames or a fast-moving fire and cannot evacuate safely on your own.
• Gather pets and stay inside. Shelter in a room with minimal windows and doors to reduce exposure to smoke and heat. If possible, choose a building that has less exposure to burning vegetation.
• If you cannot get inside, seek shelter in an open area clear from trees, plants and flammable structures like a parking lot.
• Leave the location if it catches on fire, becomes too hot or smoky inside or when it’s safer outside.

• Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to someone’s life or property. Do not call 911 for wildfire updates, evacuation information or road closures.
• Be ready to describe your exact location, including address, intersections, nearby landmarks, roads, markers or blue sign addresses if you live rurally.
• 911 may experience high call volumes during a wildfire. If you experience a delay, stay on the line. Do not hang up and redial as it can delay emergency response.
• If your call does not connect, try a landline, borrow another phone, move to a higher or open area if safe or flag down nearby emergency personnel.

Visit Alberta 911 program for more information.

Evacuation

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Wildfire