Wildfire Evacuation Checklist

The single most important decision in a wildfire is when to leave. Leaving early is always safer than leaving late. People who wait until the fire is visible often cannot escape.

⚠️ If you are in doubt, leave early. You can always return to a standing house. You cannot undo a delayed evacuation.

Evacuation Zones Explained

Most fire-prone regions use a zone system. Orders escalate from lowest to highest risk:

Zone / Level	Meaning	Your Action
Advisory / Watch	Fire in the area; be ready	Pack go-bag; fill car with fuel; review route
Warning / Level 2	Significant risk; be set to go	Load car; be ready to leave in minutes
Order / Level 3	Leave NOW	Depart immediately — do not wait

Never ignore a Level 3/Evacuation Order — fires move faster than cars on congested roads.

When to Leave Without an Order

Do not wait for an official order in these situations:

• You can see smoke on the horizon and wind is blowing toward you
• Radio or TV coverage has been disrupted
• Your area has only one road out — others may already be leaving
• You have pets, livestock, or family members who need extra time
• Your property has limited defensible space or wood construction
• Air quality is deteriorating rapidly (acrid smell, orange sky)

The safest time to leave is before an order is issued.

15-Minute Evacuation Checklist

When you have a short window to leave, prioritise in this order:

People and Pets (first 2 minutes)

• All household members accounted for
• Pets loaded — carriers ready in advance
• Medications for all family members (especially critical prescriptions)
• Phone, charger, portable battery

Documents and Finances (minutes 2–5)

• Passport / ID documents
• Insurance policies (home, vehicle, health)
• Cash (ATMs fail during power outages)
• Laptop or hard drive with digital copies
• USB drive with scanned documents if pre-prepared

Essentials (minutes 5–10)

• Water — minimum 4 litres per person
• 3-day food supply
• Change of clothing per person
• Phone charger and power bank
• First aid kit

Before You Leave the House (minutes 10–15)

• Close all windows and doors (not locked — firefighters may need entry)
• Shut off gas at the meter
• Leave exterior lights on (helps firefighters see your home in smoke)
• Move combustible furniture away from windows and inside if possible
• Remove wooden door mats and potted plants from decking
• Close (not lock) the garage door
• Leave a note on front door with your name, destination, and departure time

Route Planning

Action	Detail
Know two routes out	In opposite directions — one may be blocked by fire
Pre-download offline maps	Signal fails during power outages and tower damage
Avoid single-lane roads through bushland	Can become blocked by fallen trees or emergency vehicles
Do not follow smoke	If your route becomes smoky, turn back immediately
Keep fuel tank above half at all times during fire season	Fill before a watch/warning is issued — queues form quickly

If You Are Trapped in Your Vehicle

Situation	Action
Fire overtaking the road	Pull off the road; turn off engine; turn on hazard lights
Inside car during fire front	Get down below window level; cover yourself with wool blanket; stay inside — a car provides significant protection
Fire has passed	Check surroundings before exiting; beware of hot surfaces and smouldering material

After Evacuation — Waiting to Return

• Monitor official emergency services channels — do not rely on social media
• Do not return until the all-clear is given, even if you think the fire has passed
• Upon return: check for hot spots, gas leaks, structural damage before entering
• Run tap water before drinking — pipes may be contaminated
• Document all damage before clean-up for insurance claims

Quick Reference

Decision	Guidance
When to leave	At Advisory/Watch level or when you see smoke and feel uncertain
Evacuation Order issued	Leave immediately — no exceptions
What to take in 15 minutes	People → pets → meds → documents → cash → water → food
Before leaving the house	Close windows/doors; shut gas; lights on; note on door
Route blocked by smoke	Turn back; use alternate route; do not drive into smoke
Trapped in car	Stay inside; get low; cover with blanket; leave lights on