Preparing Your Family for Wildfire Evacuations

By Jared Schneider

City of Issaquah Emergency Manager

Imagine this: your phone buzzes with an emergency alert—you must evacuate due to a fast-approaching wildfire. Do you know what to grab? Do you have a plan?

The devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires claimed 29 lives and destroyed thousands of structures, a sobering reminder of how quickly wildfires can escalate. While Issaquah may seem far removed from such danger, the increasing frequency of hot, dry summers in the Pacific Northwest is changing that reality. Our community, once considered “too wet to burn,” is now at greater risk of wildfire.

Understanding Wildfire Risk in Issaquah

Issaquah faces two primary types of wildfire scenarios:

1. Small, Frequent Fires

These fires can occur in a range of conditions. They tend to remain small thanks to local response efforts but can smolder for extended periods due to wet undergrowth and terrain challenges such as steep slopes that hinder firefighter access.

2. Large, Fast-Moving Fires

These are driven by specific conditions: dry fuels, low humidity, and, most critically, strong east winds. Wind is the dominant factor that transforms a typical wildfire into a destructive force, as seen in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, 2018 Camp Fire, and 2023 Maui Wildfire.

Evacuations: Timing is Everything Wildfire evacuations save lives—but only if you’re ready to leave quickly. Earlier this year, the City of Issaquah completed a Wildfire Evacuation Time Estimate Study, which assesses how long it would take for 90% of residents to evacuate from each neighborhood under summer midday conditions.

We use the 90% benchmark rather than 100%, recognizing that the final 10% of individuals may face significant mobility, medical, or logistical challenges that require additional planning.

The table below shows the estimated time it would take the population to evacuate the city and our neighborhoods during the Summer at midday.

Another critical finding: on average, Issaquah residents take 40 minutes to prepare and begin evacuating after receiving an alert. The delay in departure can significantly increase danger during rapidly evolving wildfire events.

What You Can Do to Prepare

Preparation is key to minimizing risk and ensuring safety. Start today by taking these practical steps:

• Sign up for Emergency Alerts

Get immediate notifications at issaquahwa.gov/alert.

• Assemble a “Go Kit”

Include essentials such as:

• Water and non-perishable snacks

• Eye protection and N95 masks

• Medications and medical supplies

• A flash drive with important documents

• Visit issaquahwa.gov/DisasterKit for a complete checklist.

• Plan an Evacuation Meeting Spot

Choose a safe location outside the fire risk area, such as a friend’s home or a public space in Bellevue or Seattle.

• Support Neighbors with Mobility Challenges

Know who may need help evacuating and discuss plans ahead of time.

• Familiarize Yourself with Evacuation Routes

Review city maps and alternative routes regularly.

Beyond Evacuation: Hardening Your Home

Reducing wildfire risk starts at home. "Home hardening" refers to making changes that improve your home's resistance to embers and heat. Eastside Fire and Rescue offers personalized home assessments to help you understand how to protect your property. Learn more at eastsidefire-rescue.org/329

Learn More

To explore Issaquah’s full Wildfire Evacuation Study and learn how the City is preparing for these emergencies, visit: issaquahwa.gov/EvacStudy

Wildfires are an evolving threat in our region. But with planning, awareness, and community action, we can reduce the risk to our families and neighborhoods.

Have questions or need help preparing?

Contact Jared Schneider, City of Issaquah Emergency Manager at jareds@issaquahwa.gov