Evacuation Prep

Getting a household ready to leave fast, from a 72-hour go-bag to vehicle staging, meeting points, and backup communication.

Pack a 72-hour grab-and-go bag for every member of the household

PreparedBC and Alberta Emergency Management both plan for 72 hours of self-sufficiency — about four litres of water per person per day is the baseline before any food, meds or comfort items.

Park facing out and keep the tank above half

Gas stations near an active fire routinely run dry or lose power within hours — keeping your tank above half full and parking pointed at the road can be the difference between leaving in 2 minutes and 20.

Agree on two meeting points before you ever need them

Long-distance calls often get through when local lines are jammed — an out-of-area relay contact can pass messages between separated family members faster than they can reach each other directly.

Pre-pack carriers, leashes and vaccination records for pets

Most evacuation centres will not accept a pet without proof of vaccinations — a waterproof bag with vet records and a current photo is as essential as the carrier itself.

Have a backup plan when cell networks go down

Text messages routinely punch through during emergencies when voice calls cannot — and a battery or hand-crank AM/FM radio gives you official information after the cell network is gone entirely.

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