Wildfire Prep
Senior evacuation = early evacuation.
Year-round preparation
- Clear 100 ft "defensible space."
- Trim trees away from house.
- Remove dry brush.
- Clean gutters of leaves.
- Update roof to fire-resistant.
- Sign up for emergency alerts.
- Plan evacuation routes.
Go bag (always packed)
- Important documents (deed, ID, insurance, meds list).
- 5-7 days of medications.
- Glasses, hearing aids, CPAP.
- Phone + charger.
- $200 cash.
- Water + snacks.
- Pet supplies.
- Sturdy shoes.
- N95 masks.
Senior special prep
- EVACUATE EARLY — don't wait.
- Tell out-of-state contact your plans.
- Identify pet-friendly shelter.
- Buddy system with neighbor.
- Know hospital with your records.
- Backup oxygen / power for medical equip.
- Senior at-risk lists with fire dept.
If smoke
- Stay inside, doors + windows closed.
- HEPA air purifier.
- N95 masks if must go outside.
- Don't exercise outside.
- AirNow.gov for air quality.
- COPD, asthma — extra precautions.
- Some hotels run as "clean air" refuges.
Insurance
- Photo/video EVERY room before fire season.
- Save inventory in cloud (not just home).
- Replacement cost coverage (not market value).
- Verify wildfire coverage (some carriers drop).
- FAIR plan if uninsurable.
- Document EVERY loss after.
Resources
Ready.gov/wildfires. FEMA app — alerts. Watch Duty app — best wildfire tracking. Cal Fire if California. Nextdoor for neighborhood info. Get out early. Don't lose life trying to save belongings.