06/27/2026
What you need to know to be wildfire ready!
Because this summer has been already a dangerous one for fires, we would like to help inform the community on terminology for evacuations and the steps you can take before you ever may need to evacuate.
Please share this. Resilience is a community thing. You can be ready!
A personal wildfire action plan for your family should focus on early evacuation, property preparation, communication, and recovery, since wildfires in Utah can spread rapidly due to dry vegetation, wind, and rugged terrain.
Personal Wildfire Action Plan
1. Know Your Risk
• Identify your county's wildfire risk zones and nearby fuels (grasslands, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, forests).
• Learn primary and alternate evacuation routes from your property.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts from your county emergency management office. www.tcem.org
• Make sure you have proper insurance and review it regularly
• Take pictures of all parts of your property, home, vehicles, and belongings
• Monitor:
o Tooele County Emergency Management at www.tcem.org
o Utah Fire Info
o National Weather Service Fire Weather Forecasts
Also follow Local Government, Law Enforcement, Fire Department, and Emergency Managment Social Media pages for the most up to date information
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2. Prepare Your Property
Create Defensible Space
For more information visit Wildfire Action Guides by International Association of Fire Chiefs https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/s/iafc2/action-guides-MCGJUJIO32BBAHXFWQGFHDBQ756I?language=en_US
Zone 1 (0–5 feet from home)
• Remove dead vegetation.
• Keep roofs and gutters clear.
• Store firewood at least 30 feet away.
• Use gravel, rock, or irrigated landscaping.
Zone 2 (5–30 feet)
• Trim trees so branches are at least 10 feet apart.
• Mow grasses regularly.
• Remove brush and dead plants.
Zone 3 (30–100+ feet)
• Thin dense vegetation.
• Remove ladder fuels that allow fire to climb into tree canopies.
• Maintain access roads for emergency vehicles.
Home Hardening
• Install ember-resistant vents.
• Use metal or Class A fire-rated roofing.
• Screen openings with 1/8-inch metal mesh.
• Keep propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures when possible.
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3. Build Emergency Kits
Go Bag (per person)
Include:
• 3 days of water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Nonperishable food
• Medications
• Flashlight
• Phone charger and battery bank
• N95 masks
• First aid kit
• Important documents
• Important Contact Numbers
• Cash
• Clothing and sturdy shoes
• Entertainment and comfort items
Vehicle Kit
• Water
• Food (Snacks, high calorie bars, but food that doesn’t make you thirsty)
• Blankets
• Jackets
• Jumper cables
• Paper maps
• Extra phone charger
• Flashlight
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Good Walking Shoes
Livestock/Pet Supplies
• Food and water for at least 3 days
• Leashes, carriers, halters
• Veterinary records
• Trailer ready for immediate departure
More detailed kit information can be found at www.tcem.org or download the Tooele Ready App from the App store or Google Play
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4. Family Communication Plan
Emergency Contacts
Local Emergency Contact
Out-of-Area Contact
Neighbor
Veterinarian
Large Animal Shelter Location
Meeting Locations
Near Home: __________________
Outside Immediate Area: __________________
Outside County: __________________
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5. Evacuation Triggers
READY
• Wildfire was reported nearby.
• Go bags packed.
• Vehicles fueled.
• Livestock transport prepared.
• Monitor official alerts.
• Move vehicles facing outward
• Make sure your neighbors know all information and can evacuate safely
SET
• Fire is moving toward your area.
• Load valuables and livestock.
• Family members stay together.
• Be ready to leave immediately.
GO
Leave immediately if:
• Ordered by authorities.
• Smoke or flames threaten escape routes.
• Conditions become unsafe.
Do not wait to see flames before leaving.
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6. What to Take
Priority 1
• People
• Pets
• Livestock
Priority 2
• Medications
• IDs and passports
• Insurance papers
• Financial records
Priority 3
• Family photos
• Hard drives
• Valuable heirlooms
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7. Before Leaving
• Shut windows and doors.
• Turn off propane.
• Remove flammable patio furniture from around structures.
• Leave exterior lights on for firefighters.
• Close garage doors.
• Move vehicles facing outward.
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8. If Trapped
• Call 911.
• Stay in a building if it is safer than driving.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Move to a room facing away from the fire.
• Monitor emergency communications.
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9. After the Fire
• Return only when authorities allow.
• Watch for hot spots and damaged utilities.
• Photograph all damage before cleanup.
• Contact insurance promptly.
• Be alert for flash flooding and debris flows in burned areas.
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Annual Wildfire Readiness Checklist
Spring
• Clear defensible space.
• Service generators and pumps.
• Review insurance coverage.
Summer
• Monitor fire weather.
• Keep evacuation kits updated.
• Practice evacuation routes.
Fall
• Remove accumulated vegetation.
• Review lessons learned.
Winter
• Update contact information.
• Replace expired supplies.
