UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

Wildfires and Smoke

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Emergency Kit Checklist · Family Emergency Plan

What it is

  • The American Red Cross says, "Wildfire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to your health."[1]
  • CDC says children with asthma and chronic health problems may have more symptoms when smoke or ash is present.[2]

For students

  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Wildfires often begin unnoticed. … They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes."[5]
  • CDC says about wildfire smoke, "Staying inside is best."[3]
  • CDC says, "Keep children away from ash."[2]

Before

  • The Red Cross says, "Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay."[1]
  • The Red Cross says to pack a Go-Kit you can carry with about 3 days of supplies.[1]
  • The Red Cross says to sign up for free local emergency alerts and keep a battery-powered radio and a way to charge your phone.[1]
  • The Red Cross says to create "defensible space" around your home to lower the chance it catches fire.[1]
  • CDC says to keep a 7- to 10-day supply of your child's prescription medicine in a waterproof, childproof container in case you evacuate.[2]
  • CDC says that if your child has asthma or another chronic condition, ask their health care provider how to limit time outdoors during smoke events.[2]

During

  • The Red Cross says to be ready to leave quickly, and warns, "You might not get an official notice to evacuate."[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Be ready to leave if local authorities advise, or if you feel you are in danger."[1]
  • CDC says, "Staying inside is best" during wildfire smoke.[3]
  • CDC says to keep children indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed, and to use an HVAC filter or portable air filter if you have one.[2]
  • CDC says, "As much as possible, avoid burning anything indoors, including candles, gas, propane, incense or wood," and also advises against smoking, cooking on a stove, and vacuuming.[3]
  • CDC says children ages 2 and older can wear respirators or masks, but NIOSH-approved respirators generally do not come in sizes for very young children.[2]
  • CDC says dust masks, surgical masks, bandanas, and wet cloths won't protect your child from smoke.[2]
  • CDC says to check local air quality at airnow.gov or in your phone's weather app.[3]
  • CDC says to get medical help right away if a child has severe trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, or refuses to eat or drink.[2]

After

  • The Red Cross says, "Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home."[1]
  • The Red Cross says to avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers.[1]
  • CDC says to keep children away from ash and debris, not let them do cleanup, and wash ash off their skin and mouth and rinse their eyes as soon as possible.[2]
  • The Red Cross says to check with your local health department before drinking water.[1]
  • The Red Cross says to throw out food exposed to heat, smoke, or fumes: "When in doubt, throw it out!"[1]

Watch vs. Warning (NWS)

  • Fire Weather Watch: "Be Prepared." Upcoming weather "could result in extensive wildland fire occurrence"; critical fire weather is possible but not happening yet.[4]
  • Red Flag Warning: "Take Action." Critical fire weather conditions "are ongoing or expected to occur shortly"; be extremely careful with open flames.[4]
  • Evacuation orders come from local officials; the Red Cross says to follow instructions from local authorities.[1]

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] American Red Cross, Wildfire
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] CDC, Wildfire Smoke and Children
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/children.htm
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] CDC, Safety Guidelines: Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    cdc.gov/wildfires/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-during-a-wildfire.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] National Weather Service, Fire Weather Watch vs. Red Flag Warning
    Published by
    National Weather Service (NWS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  5. [5] Ready.gov (FEMA), Know the Facts: Wildfires (Kids)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/wildfires
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

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