Before a wildfire
Personal and Family Preparedness
- Create a family emergency plan with evacuation routes and meeting points
- Pack a go-bag with essentials: water, food, first aid, medications, documents, masks, and chargers
- Sign up for local emergency alerts (e.g., FEMA, local fire department)
- Practice evacuation drills with your family and pets
- Arrange transportation and shelter plans for pets and livestock
Property and home protection
- Clear flammable vegetation and debris within 30 feet of your home
- Trim trees and remove dead branches near your house
- Clean gutters, roofs, and decks regularly
- Install spark arresters on chimneys and fire-resistant vents
- Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures
- Ensure your house number is visible from the road for emergency crews
Asset Protection
- Photograph or video your home and belongings for insurance documentation
- Review and update your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy
- Back up important documents digitally and store them in the cloud or off-site
During a wildfire
Personal and family safety
- Monitor emergency alerts and local news for updates
- Evacuate immediately if ordered
- Wear protective clothing: long sleeves, pants, goggles, and N95 masks
- Keep your go-bag and vehicle ready to leave at a moment’s notice
Property measures (if time allows)
- Shut all windows and doors (leave them unlocked)
- Move flammable furniture away from windows
- Turn off gas, propane, and fuel oil supplies
- Leave lights on inside and outside to help firefighters see your home
After a wildfire
Personal and family recovery
- Wait for official clearance before returning home
- Avoid downed power lines, ash pits, and hot spots
- Wear protective gear when cleaning up debris
- Document all damage with photos and videos for insurance claims
Property and asset recovery
- Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to start the claims process for property damage and losses
- Save all receipts for evacuation, lodging, and repairs
- Inspect your home’s structure, utilities, and water supply before use
- Replace HVAC filters and clean vents to remove smoke residue
Take proactive steps to mitigate loss
By preparing your family, home, and personal belongings in advance, you can reduce the risk of damage, speed up recovery, and help ensure safety and resilience in the face of wildfire threats.
Let us help protect what matters most to you and your family.
This document is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this document is made available on an “as is” basis, without warranty of any kind. The Baldwin Insurance Group Holdings, LLC (“The Baldwin Group”), its affiliates, and subsidiaries do not guarantee that this information is, or can be relied on for, compliance with any law or regulation, assurance against preventable losses, or freedom from legal liability. This publication is not intended to be legal, underwriting, or any other type of professional advice. The Baldwin Group does not guarantee any particular outcome and makes no commitment to update any information herein or remove any items that are no longer accurate or complete. Furthermore, The Baldwin Group does not assume any liability to any person or organization for loss or damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on that content. Persons requiring advice should always consult an independent adviser.
