Overview
Wildfires threaten our forests, our wildlife, our homes, and communities. They negatively impact air quality. By listening to officials before, during, and after wildfires, we can do our best to prevent them and keep everyone safe should one break out.
Before A Wildfire
Preparing now is essential to protecting your and your family's safety during a wildfire.
😷 Store N95 masks for everyone in your household, and stock up on other emergency supplies that can easily be grabbed if you need to leave in a hurry.
🤳 Have at least two ways to get alerts. Sign up for CodeRed Pennsylvania weather alerts, download trusted weather apps, follow officials and your local National Weather Service on social media, check local news on TV and radio, or opt to get a NOAA radio.
📄 Have an emergency plan. Keep it simple so you can remember it in a stressful time, and discuss it frequently enough that everyone knows and remembers the plan. Tips for emergency planning.
🗑️ Remove leaves, debris, and flammable materials in a 30-foot perimeter around your home.
🚗 Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full or keep your electric vehicle charged enough to evacuate on a moment's notice. Gas pumps can get extremely busy or even not work in a disaster. Power also may be lost.
During A Wildfire
If a wildfire breaks out in the vicinity, it is crucial to stay informed and be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
👂 Listen to officials who are working to keep you safe. Follow their directions, and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
⚠️ Pay attention to air quality alerts. Follow guidance about outdoor activity.
📱 Keep devices fully charged so you can get alerts and reach out to emergency contacts and family as needed.
🆘 Call 911 if you are trapped or in danger. Call 211 to be connected to resources.
💬 Opt to text instead of calling. Phone systems are busy during a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
🫂 Want to help? Pay attention to local officials for the best ways to do so. Sometimes officials become overwhelmed with well-meaning donations. Financial donations to your local fire department always go a long way, and don't require more manpower to sort and get to the right place.
After A Wildfire
🏡 Only return home once officials say it is safe to do so.
🌈 Use our After the Disaster Guide to safely clean up and get on the road to recovery.
Prevent Wildfire
Pennsylvania forest fires often start in backyards and travel through dead grass and leaves into bordering woodlands. Together we can prevent them.
📜 Check local ordinances before doing any kind of outdoor burning. Don't burn if it's against the law.
💨 Don't burn if it's dry or windy outside. Pay attention to red flag warnings from officials warning about these unsafe conditions.
🏕️ Only start a campfire or bonfire in an appropriate fire pit.
🚫 Never leave a fire unattended. Douse fires with water and smother them with dirt before leaving the site.
🚮 Only burn rubbish and waste in a 50-gallon drum or fire pit.
