Leaving later may be beneficial if official evacuation orders go out quite early or if the wildfire shifts away from your property. However, leaving at the last minute is all in all not a good plan as you can risk being stuck in your home or on the road with a wildfire.

Escape routes can be blocked, or gridlock can make getting out impossible.

Overall, it is far better to err on the side of caution. Leaving early will guarantee you and your family, including many of your valuables, are safe.

How To Make The Decision

How to make the decision relies on your ability to receive and filter through the information coming from a variety of sources.

These include local fire agencies, television and radio broadcasts and even internet updates. Know how key fire messages will be broadcast in your area. It is also essential to know how much time you have once an evacuation order is given. Monitor the sources. Listen carefully to what they are saying.

Make sure everyone is prepared to bug-out as soon as you and/ or the authorities make the call. Have your car packed and all emergency kits ready in advance. Make sure the pets are confined in a single room until you are ready to load them up and leave. When you decide to leave, do so without hesitation. If the authorities tell you to leave, check corroborating sources and then head out immediately to your best choice destination. Do not wait around.