Wildfires, often intensified by strong winds and dry weather, are a recurring danger that can impact communities and travelers alike. The catastrophic loss of entire towns, as seen in places like Paradise, California, and Lahaina, Hawaii, shows how fast and completely these fires can destroy things. If you spend time or live in areas where wildfires happen, or where it gets very dry and windy, you should keep items in your car to survive wildfires.
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Wildfires can grow and spread…fast!
I’m reminded of a video I watched once from the horrific wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Friends of mine owned a home there that was destroyed by wildfire, and many other friends and acquaintances enjoyed the area during family vacations.
This video vividly shows how quickly these fires grew as this man drives through them to safety. (Warning: Strong Language)
Wildfire safety is no easy matter, as I explain in this article.
With wildfires frequently in the news, most noticeably in Canada and the Western United States, it makes sense to consider them one of the disasters you should prepare for. Since most of the time, people have to quickly evacuate in their vehicles, I began thinking how to equip my own car. Here’s my list of must-haves.
12 Essential Wildfire Survival Items to Keep In Your Car
- Eyewash/eye drops
- Battery-powered fan with extra batteries
- Face masks with eye protection
- Respirators
- Swim goggles
- Hatchet or ax
- Fire-resistant work gloves
- LED flashlights
- One or more headlamps so your hands are free
- Water
- All-purpose emergency kit
- Inhaler and asthma medication
Tips
- Keep a physical map of the area in your car. GPS systems may not work during emergencies. DeLorme atlases can help plan evacuations.
- Know how to manually open your car’s garage door in case of a power outage.
- Practice driving your evacuation route in advance, especially during different times of day.
The Dangers of Driving Through a Fire
Driving through a fire like this is very, very dangerous. Smoke and fumes can quickly fill a vehicle, and rubber tires can melt on the hot asphalt.
Protect Your Lungs and Eyes
It’s important for all passengers in the vehicle to remain calm and to wear a face mask. Even a wet bandana or shemagh tied around the nose and mouth is better than nothing. However, it’s even more critical that the driver be able to maintain their focus.
Just as flight attendants instruct parents to first put on their oxygen masks in case of an emergency, the driver of a vehicle must protect their own eyes and respiratory system, in particular.
A KN95 face mask helps protect your lungs from smoke inhalation, and they’re compact enough to fit just about anywhere. Respirator masks are bulkier, range in price from quite reasonable to costly, and most will not include eye protection. However, a pair of swim goggles or tightly fitting shooting-range goggles work very well for this purpose.
If the vehicle’s air circulation system begins to allow in too much smoke or fumes, you can close it down.
Managing Heat Inside the Vehicle
While closing the air circulation system helps to block smoke and fumes, it also stops the air circulation. No surprise there, right? To reduce overheating, use a small battery-powered fan to move air around.
Pets can overheat, too. Using the flow of air and water to drink or squeezed with a cloth over an animal’s tongue, a pet has a better chance of surviving the scorching environment. Also, prepare a pet evacuation kit in advance.
Protect Vulnerable People
Finally, be aware that elderly people, those with chronic health issues, and very young children and babies will have the most difficulty breathing in conditions caused by a wildfire. Therefore, take time to ensure you have well-fitting facemasks for them.
They should spend some time wearing a face mask, even if it’s a simple dust/particulate mask, to get used to the sensation. Many people feel suffocated wearing something over their nose and mouth, so it can take some time.
Here are several articles to help you prepare for assisting the more vulnerable in your life:
Exiting the Vehicle to Clear the Road
At one point in the video, it appears the driver has to get out and move branches. Between eye protection, a respirator, heavy work gloves (this pair is also fire resistant), and a sharpened ax or hatchet, there’s a good chance this type of road clearing can be done quickly.
Fires invariably darken the sky and turn daylight into night. Therefore, a few LED flashlights are necessary and can be used to signal rescuers if necessary. At least one headlamp would allow you to use your hands and should also be included.
However, again, since the survival of the entire party depends on the driver’s health, the task of clearing a road may best be left in the hands of another able-bodied adult.
Also, remember additional dangers can come from the same direction the branches on the road came from –above your head.
If those branches fell, more could follow. Downed power lines are also a possibility.
FAQ
When evacuating, gather essential documents like identification, insurance policies, and medical records. These items are crucial for proving identity and accessing necessary services. Quickly grab financial documents to ensure you can manage resources during displacement. Learn how to assemble a grab-and-go binder.
For real-time wildfire updates and evacuation orders, rely on local emergency alerts, official government websites, and reputable news sources. Download emergency alert apps and sign up for local notifications. While social media can be a source, always verify information with official channels.
Prepare your pets for evacuation by having carriers and essential supplies readily available.
Keep them calm during the process, and pre-identify pet-friendly shelters along your evacuation route. Microchipping your pets and ensuring they wear collars with up-to-date contact information is also crucial. Learn about staying in Red Cross Shelters.
Start with a standard vehicle emergency kit and supplement it with wildfire-specific items like respirators, eye protection, and fire-resistant gloves. Ensure you have ample water, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit, and tailor the kit to your family’s unique needs.
I prefer to make my kit and assemble it from products I know are all high quality. Otherwise, well-equipped bags like this can be found online and in retail stores. Just be sure to check out all the items and add anything specific to your own family’s needs.
Immediately tune your radio to emergency broadcasts and activate emergency alert apps on your phone for real-time updates. Be prepared to change routes quickly based on changing wind direction and official instructions, prioritizing safety over your original destination.
While wildfires are often tracked, sudden shifts in weather, like strong winds, can create rapid, unpredictable spread, as seen in Paradise, CA. Develop multiple evacuation plans and stay constantly alert to changing conditions, even if you think you have ample warning.
Related Emergency Planning Content
Get the Survival Mom’s Complete Evacuation Guide!
Final Thoughts
You’ve now equipped your vehicle with the essential items for wildfire survival. Keep in mind that each component of your kit—masks, goggles, tools, and so on—is designed to address specific challenges encountered during a wildfire evacuation. Regular checks and updates to your supplies are crucial, ensuring you’re consistently prepared for the unpredictable nature of these events while on the road.
Do you keep supplies in your car to survive wildfires?
Originally published on December 1, 2016; updated by The Survival Mom editors.
