Preparing for an Evacuation

You should be ready to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours following an Evacuation Order, or up to seven days if you are in a remote community or off the highway system. Below is a list of things to consider when coming up with your plan.

If evacuating by road, are you familiar with the route?

• Consider downloading an offline map for times when there is no network and to save on data.
• Identify key stops along the way, like gas stations, rest stops and Evacuation Centres.
• Bookmark the GNWT’s road closures page on your phone.

Will you evacuate alone, with friends or family?

• Do you have friends or family with whom you could evacuate? Some people may feel isolated evacuating solo. Consider your well-being when coming up with your emergency plan. 
• Figure out a communication plan with friends and family should you be separated during the evacuation.

Where will you stay once evacuated?

• Do you have friends or family that you could stay with, or will you stay in an Evacuation Centre (if available)? Camping could also be considered as an option.

What does your tenant or property insurance cover?

• Insurance holders may be eligible to make a claim for some of the expenses incurred while evacuated. Reach out to your insurance provider to learn the details of your coverage and to confirm your deductible. Remember to save all receipts while evacuated if you plan to submit a claim to your insurance company.
• If you have no insurance, it is recommended that you seek coverage.

Are there any health needs that should be taken into account?

• Do you need to fill any prescription medications prior to evacuating?
• Do you have dietary restrictions that should be considered when packing (certain substitute ingredients may be harder to find in smaller hosting towns).
• If you, or someone in your party, has health issues that may require medical attention while evacuated, familiarize yourself with the out of territory medical coverage through NWT Health and Social Services.

Do you have pets?

• If you have pets, consider whether special arrangements need to be made when it comes to transportation, accommodations and securing pet supplies.

Do you own a business?

• Business owners should come up with a plan for their staff members in the event of an evacuation. Owners of businesses that could be considered essential should make a plan for maintaining operations during the evacuation and discuss these details with staff.

Helpful resources:

• Information on preparing for emergencies
• Wildfire preparedness one pager
• How to make an emergency plan
• What to do before a wildfire
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• More information on emergency preparedness

Grab-and-go bag

Be sure to put together a grab-and-go bag in the event you need to evacuate your home on short notice. Any essential items you would need immediately following the issuing of an Evacuation Order would be stored in this smaller, easily accessible bag. Packing in advance with a clear mind will ensure that you leave your home with everything you need.

Check out this list of essential items as you put together your grab-and-go bag.

Emergency supply kit

Similar to your grab-and-go bag, your emergency supply kit would include essential items, as well as larger quantities of food, water, clothing and camping gear. If you evacuate by road, consider adding jerry cans (already filled) to your list. If evacuating to an Evacuation Centre, consider bringing noise cancelling headphones or earplugs, as you may be sleeping in an open space with others.

Learn more about what to pack in the event of an emergency.

Emergency supplies for your pet 

If you are evacuating with a pet, do not forget that they have needs too! Plan ahead and read up on which emergency supplies to include in your pet kit.

If time allows, before evacuating do a scan of your home and your property to identify any potential hazards.

Things to do when leaving your home:

• Turn off air conditioning or turn down heating
• Ensure oven and stove tops are turned off
• Unplug smaller appliances (fans, toasters, lamps)
• Turn off your home fuel oil or propane gas tanks, as well as your propane tank for barbecuing
• Cover all vent openings with plywood or metal duct tape
• Sheath around the base of your deck to prevent embers from igniting combustible materials
• Move wood piles, portable propane gas tanks, garbage and recyclables, and any other flammable containers, at least 10 meters away from your home
• Put all lawn furniture and other combustible items inside your home, shed, basement or garage
• Remove leaves, pine needles and other debris from your roof and gutters
• Store unused vehicles in the garage, if possible
• Bring your grab-and-go bag and emergency kit with you
• Close windows and lock your home and garage door as you leave
  

Review the FireSmarting information on our website to learn more about how to prepare your property.