Wildfires can spread quickly, leaving families with only minutes to evacuate. Whether you live in a suburban neighborhood, a rural forested area, or aboard a sailboat, having a clear evacuation plan can make all the difference. More than 26,000 people have already been displaced by wildfires in Saskatchewan in 2025, many with little more than the clothes on their backs. With the right preparation, you can avoid being caught off guard.
Make an Emergency Plan Before an Alert
Planning long before an evacuation order is issued is crucial. Every family member should know what to do, where to go, and how to reconnect if separated. Consider mobility needs, multiple escape routes, and responsibilities such as gathering pets.
For pet owners, designate someone to handle animals during an evacuation and consider using a pet alert decal on your window to notify emergency workers if pets are left inside.
Fireproof Your Home
If you live in a fire-prone area, reduce risk by "FireSmarting" your property. This means clearing debris and flammable materials close to your home, trimming branches, and ensuring propane tanks and other combustibles are stored safely. Even if a fire does not directly reach your house, embers carried by the wind can ignite vulnerable areas up to five kilometres away.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Your vehicle should always be roadworthy, fueled, and parked facing the road for a quick departure. Gas stations often run out of fuel during mass evacuations, so keeping your tank full is essential. Consider pre-loading cherished items into your vehicle if an evacuation seems likely, as this saves precious time when the order comes.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Experts recommend a 72-hour emergency kit that includes:
- Water and non-perishable food
- Medications and essential health supplies
- Items for babies and pets
- Flashlights and a battery- or crank-powered radio
- Clothing and sturdy shoes
- Spare keys and important documents
- First aid kit
Keep the kit by the door so it can be grabbed instantly.
Consider a Sailboat as an Evacuation Option
For those living near the water, a sailboat offers one of the most reliable evacuation strategies. Unlike a car, a boat can be pre-loaded with supplies and always kept ready to leave at a moment’s notice. When wildfires or other disasters strike, families can untie from the dock and sail away to safety, bypassing traffic jams, fuel shortages, and chaos on the roads. For liveaboard sailors, evacuation is even simpler—it’s as easy as casting off the lines.
What to Do When Evacuating
When authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately. Delaying not only risks your life but may endanger firefighters tasked with rescuing those who stay behind. Stay alert for hazards such as downed power lines and keep a safe distance from them.
Returning Home After the Fire
Returning after an evacuation can be emotionally difficult. Be prepared for major landscape changes and possible destruction. Ensure food and water supplies are safe, discarding anything that may have been contaminated by heat, smoke, or soot. If the power was out, assume perishable food has spoiled.
Final Thoughts
Preparation is the most effective defense against wildfires. Whether you choose a land-based plan or the unique advantage of a sailboat escape pod, the key is readiness. By making a plan, fireproofing your property, maintaining your vehicle or boat, and keeping a 72-hour kit on hand, you can ensure that when disaster strikes, you and your family will have a clear path to safety.