As Oregon wraps up Wildfire Awareness Month, officials at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) are pressing residents to not merely consider but to actively prepare for the possibility of evacuations during what is predicted to be another intense wildfire season. The landscape of Oregon bore the scars of last year's blazes, which marked the state's most destructive season on record. This year, unfortunately, could follow a similar path. The OEM emphasizes the critical nature of being ready to move quickly should the flames threaten.
On its website, OEM has compiled numerous resources to provide Oregonians with actionable steps for preparedness that could end up being lifesaving. In a push to ensure readiness, they are advising the public to sign up for emergency alerts to stay on top of evacuation notices. The local alert system sign-up can be found at ORAlert.gov, which covers various cities, counties, and zip codes. If you're already registered, the OEM suggests verifying and updating your contact information. For the mobile-inclined, checking that the phone settings allow Wireless Emergency Alerts is also a must for receiving real-time notifications.
Creating a comprehensive wildfire evacuation plan is another recommendation put forth by OEM. According to their official website, residents should visit Ready.gov/plan to start crafting their family's emergency strategy. Not to be overlooked, the plan should cover essentials such as establishing a list of emergency contacts, designating a safe meeting place in case of separation, outlining multiple evacuation routes, and discussing arrangements for transportation, especially for pets, livestock, and those with disabilities. For those requiring specific arrangements due to medical needs, they should look into sheltering at facilities that can adequately accommodate them, as standard shelters may not suffice.
The OEM also advises putting together a 'go-kit' with essential items easily grabbed in a hasty departure. Go-kits should include food, water, medications, important documents, and items like clothing and phone chargers. Checklists for these emergency kits are readily available at Ready.gov/kit. Understanding Oregon's three-level evacuation system is also crucial—be familiar with the "Be Ready, Be Set, Go!" notifications, which range from staying alert at Level One to immediate evacuation at Level Three. Further details about what to include in go-kits and how to interpret the evacuation levels can be found at wildfire.oregon.gov.
Additional resources disseminated by the OEM include Wildfire Alert and Evacuation Level Graphics available on their website. The 2025 Oregon State Fire Marshall has also compiled a Wildfire Awareness Month Messaging Toolkit to assist with communication during these events. Property owners are cautioned to verify if their insurance policy covers wildfire damage, with further information on the subject provided by resources like the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety and Oregon's Division of Financial Regulation. More about these preparedness steps and resources is detailed at the OEM Wildfire Preparedness webpages.
