Wildfire evacuation checklist: Your guide to what to do and take

It can be overwhelming to suddenly get an evacuation order during an emergency which is why local and federal jurisdictions have developed checklists with actions that should be taken before, during and after a wildfire event.

Officials always recommend having go bags packed for each member of the household in case of an evacuation order. Otherwise, you should prioritize the 5 P's: people and pets, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items.

This includes but is not limited to:

Yavapai County has outlined the steps that residents should take during an evacuation.

If evacuation is immediate:

If additional time allows:

More:How do I know which evacuation shelter I can go to during Arizona wildfires?

Preparing before you have to evacuate can help make the stress of an evacuation a little easier and quicker for your whole family. Here are some tips to consider.

Sign up for your local county or emergency agency's emergency alert system. Do this for every family member's phone.

Have a preplanned evacuation route. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends looking up and knowing community evacuation routes and those for workplaces and schools for your family. Together, plan at least one evacuation route away from your home, preferably multiple so you have alternates.

Practice evacuating. With everyone in your family, practice evacuation routes, including how you might evacuate pets and animals on your property. FEMA recommends making sure everyone knows how to use trailers and other vehicles needed for animals.

Make sure everyone knows how to prepare your home for evacuation. Show your family members how to turn off the gas, electricity and do basic preparation for your home. Also, ensure everyone knows where a fire extinguisher is and how to operate it.

Any family plan should be understood and accommodate everyone, including the elderly, children and those who may not primarily speak English.

Create a designated meeting place for your family. In case you are apart at the time of evacuation, pick a place that all of your family members can get to quickly and that is outside a fire-prone area. If possible, designate one near your home and one outside your neighborhood, as Maricopa County recommends.

Have a family communication plan. These plans usually designate a friend or family member who is out of state to be the source of information if everyone is separated. This person can relay messages back and forth and set up group texts when needed.

The plan also includes a list of numbers and locations where your family members may be in an emergency, such as work or school.

It's recommended that you have the plan printed out and nearby at all times, in a wallet or purse.

Here are templates available online for a family communication plan: