Getting the notification that it’s time to get out can be scary. I know. I’ve been evacuated from my home on multiple occasions—for both fire and flood. The disasters were different, but the feeling was the same. The sirens that were a little too close. The phone dropping alerts every minute (at least that’s how it felt). The scramble to grab what matters the most—starting with my family and pets—wondering what we had missed, and the drive away, not quite knowing what to expect when we returned.
If you’re in British Columbia or Alberta, you are already well aware that wildfire season isn’t some distant possibility. In fact, it’s becoming a yearly reality, and evacuation orders can come with very little notice.
And increasingly, flooding is often part of the same seasonal story. Whether due to spring runoff or the aftermath of fire-scarred land unable to absorb heavy rains (or often, a combination). The triggers may differ, but the steps are much the same. It’s time to gather your family, your pets, and yourselves and get to safety as quickly as possible.
Everything else is secondary.
That said, a little preparation before fire season ramps up (or at least before your area starts getting notifications) can remove much of the chaos and provide some peace of mind as you lock up and head to safety.
Family First
It goes without saying, your family—including any four-legged members—matters most. Valuable can be replaced. People and pets can’t. A go-bag that includes your pet carrier(s), medications, and important documents packed ahead of time does more for your peace of mind than anything listed below.
Once everyone’s safely out, then you can think about what you’re leaving behind.
Pre-Evacuation Checklist
Once you receive an evacuation alert—fire or flood—you likely won’t have much time. Having a grab list that’s ready ahead of the season (and reviewed every year) means you don’t have to think of everything on the fly. Before fire season starts—or right now as fire season is underway:
- Sign up for the provincial alert system. These are often your first and most reliable warnings.
- Photograph or, better yet, video your home and valuables. A quick walkthrough of each room takes just a few minutes and is far easier than an itemized list. Some people choose to film every room after spring or fall cleaning. This can be invaluable if you ever need to file an insurance claim.
- Move any valuables so they’re out of sight. You don’t necessarily need to put them in a safe. Just making sure someone can’t see them through the windows is often enough. (This is just a smart habit to get into.)
- Set the lights on timers if your system doesn’t already do so, which can make it look like someone’s still there even during evacuations.
- Lock every entry point—including doors, windows, garage, gates, and sheds. Double-check any doors that are often left open just during the day.
- Arm your remote monitoring system: If you have one, make sure it’s activated before you go. If you don’t, it’s worth setting up before the fire season starts.
- Make sure your footage is backed up to the cloud and not just stored locally.
- Share access with someone you trust: A family member, friend, or neighbor who isn’t under the same evacuation order may be able to provide information on the general area. Plus, if you’re out of the area, they may be able to check in, pass on alerts, or even grant entry to emergency responders if needed.
None of this takes long—especially if you’ve made it a habit. The goal, of course, isn’t to create a perfect checklist. It’s to decrease the number of decisions you need to make on a day when you already have enough stress.
The Overlooked Risk—Opportunistic Break-Ins
One thing that most homeowners never really think about until it’s happening (or has happened to someone they know) is that evacuated neighborhoods have a different type of vulnerability. When we were evacuated for flooding in our neighborhood, all of a sudden, cars we had never seen before were driving through our quiet street.
Most were looking to see how high and fast the waters were climbing. But there were a few who seemed more interested in the empty houses and lack of cars in the driveways. That is, signs of an easy target.
This isn’t a reason to panic. Most people only want to help or are simply curious. It is, however, worth being aware of and a good reminder to ensure your alarms are set before you walk out. No, a monitored alarm system won’t stop a wildfire or protect you from raging flood waters. But it can help you keep an eye on your home and protect your property from break-ins when your home is sitting empty and you’re not in a position to check on it yourself.
For a lot of folks, this piece gets overlooked in evacuation planning. While you prepare for the disaster itself, you aren’t prepared for the days or weeks after when your home is unattended and unwatched.
What Remote Monitoring Adds When You Can’t Be There
When you can’t physically check on your home, remote monitoring can provide:
- Real-Time Alerts: Instead of finding out something happened when you finally get back, you know the moment it does—whether a door opening, motion where there shouldn’t be, or water flooding where it doesn’t belong.
- Watching Without Risk: It’s only natural to want to know what’s happening at home. When re-entering an area isn’t possible—because it’s not only not allowed but also risky—remote camera access can let you check in without putting yourself at risk.
- Keeping a Record, if You Need One: If anything does happen while you’re away, the footage you collect gives you and your insurance company something concrete to work with.
- Less Unknowns: Getting evacuated leads to uncertainty. You have to figure out where you can stay, you don’t know how soon you’ll be able to get back, you don’t know how your neighbors are faring. Knowing your home is being monitored, even from afar, gives you one less thing to worry about.
Wildfire Evacuation Takeaways
None of this prevents a wildfire or holds back a flood. What it does do is take some of the uncertainty out of a really hard day, so you know your family is safe, your home is looked after, and you have one less thing to wonder about or try to figure out.
A little preparation now, before you see smoke on the horizon or get your first alert, helps clear the chaos.
If you’re ready to take the next step to help prepare your home, contact us below or call at (888) 660-2814 to speak with one of our friendly security experts. We’ll walk through your home, your location, and your specific concerns to help you find a setup that remains as reliable as possible, even if you could be evacuated.