Wildfire go-bag: what to pack
A go-bag is a pre-packed bag that lets you leave your home within 5 minutes when a wildfire evacuation warning is issued. Assembling it now — before you need it — is the single most practical thing you can do to prepare for wildfire season.
The go-bag rule
Pack it now, store it by the door, refresh it every 6 months. A go-bag assembled under evacuation pressure will always be incomplete. A pre-packed bag requires only one decision: grab it and go.
Packing checklist
Six categories — everything your bag needs
Documents
- Government-issued photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Insurance documents: home, contents, vehicle
- Property deeds or tenancy agreement
- Medical records and prescription details
- Bank account details and cards
- Photos of household members and property
Health and medications
- Prescription medications — 7-day minimum, 90-day target
- Over-the-counter pain relief and antihistamines
- First-aid kit (plasters, bandages, antiseptic)
- Glasses or contact lenses with solution
- Any specialist medical equipment
Communications
- Fully charged phone and charger cable
- Power bank (high-capacity)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio
- Written list of key contact numbers (in case phone dies)
- Cash in small denominations
Survival supplies
- Water: 1–2 litres per person minimum
- Water purification tablets as backup
- 72 hours of non-perishable food (bars, tins, pouches)
- Manual tin opener
- Change of clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Emergency foil blanket and torch with spare batteries
Pets
- Pet food: 3-day supply
- Food and water bowls
- Medications and veterinary records
- Microchip documentation and recent pet photo
- Carrier, lead, or harness
Special needs and infants
- Nappies, formula, and feeding supplies
- Any mobility aids not in everyday use
- Familiar toy or comfort item for children
- Extra batteries for hearing aids or other devices
Leave at the warning — not the order
Evacuation warnings are issued when conditions could rapidly become dangerous. By the time an Evacuation Order is issued, roads may be congested, fire may be blocking routes, and the window to leave safely may have narrowed significantly. CAL FIRE and FEMA consistently advise that people with mobility limitations, pets, livestock, or large households should leave at the warning stage. If you have a go-bag packed and ready, the cost of leaving early is low — you can return if the fire is controlled.
For guidance on the defensible space you should maintain around your home before wildfire season, see our defensible space guide. For the full seasonal preparation checklist, see wildfire season readiness.
Refresh the bag every 6 months
Set a calendar reminder for spring and autumn. Check: medication expiry dates, food and water expiry, battery charge in the power bank and radio, and whether documents are still current. Replace anything that has expired or changed. This 15-minute check could save your life.
Sign up for emergency alerts
A go-bag is only useful if you know when to grab it. Register for your county or local authority's emergency notification system — this will give you earlier and more specific warnings than national alert systems alone. In the US, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are delivered automatically to mobile phones in affected areas. In the UK, UK Emergency Alerts provide official government notifications. Both systems supplement, not replace, local county or council alerts.
Sources: FEMA Ready.gov · CAL FIRE · American Red Cross · NIFC
Go-bag FAQ
Questions about wildfire evacuation go-bags
Your go-bag should enable you to leave in 5 minutes or less. A wildfire can change direction and speed faster than most people expect — the FEMA evacuation guidance and CAL FIRE both emphasise not waiting for an official Evacuation Order if a Warning has been issued and you have mobility limitations, pets, or livestock. A bag that requires 30 minutes to assemble will not help you in a fast-moving fire event.
The standard recommendation is 2 litres (approximately half a gallon) of water per person per day, for a minimum of 72 hours. For two adults that is 12 litres — which is heavy (12 kg). A practical compromise: pack 1–2 litres per person in the bag and plan to source additional water from sealed commercial supplies at your destination or evacuation centre. Include water purification tablets as a backup. The FEMA Ready kit guide and Red Cross supplies list provide complete guidance.
Store your go-bag near the main exit of your home — typically a coat cupboard by the front door or the boot of your car. It should be immediately reachable without having to search for it under pressure. If you evacuate by car, the bag is already loaded. If you evacuate on foot, you can grab it in seconds. Do not store it in a garage that shares a wall with living space — a garage fire can make it inaccessible. Review and refresh the bag every 6 months (rotate food, check medication expiry dates). Your go-bag should support a broader defensible space and wildfire plan for your property.
Originals or certified copies of: government-issued photo ID (passport, driving licence), insurance policy documents (home and contents, vehicle), property deeds or rental agreement, financial account details, medical records and prescription information, and photographs of your household and property for insurance purposes. Store originals in a waterproof envelope or resealable plastic bag. Many people now also keep digital copies in encrypted cloud storage — this provides a backup if the physical bag is lost.
Yes — evacuating with pets requires additional preparation. Include: pet food and water bowls (3-day supply), any medications, veterinary records and microchip documentation, a recent photo of each pet for identification if separated, a carrier or lead for transport, and familiar bedding or a toy to reduce stress. Research pet-friendly emergency shelters in your area in advance — not all Red Cross or local authority shelters accept animals. Have a backup plan (friend, kennel, vet) if the primary shelter does not take pets.