This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
When a disaster hits, it can feel chaotic. Time is of the essence, so it is important to be prepared.
Spring is fire season in Western North Carolina, and after an active start, there may be more wildfires to come. Months of intermittent drought throughout North Carolina, along with increased fire risk from Helene-related debris and downed trees, put us at risk of further conflagrations. Here are some tips on how to prepare.
Be "info ready"
One of the best preparations you can make is to know where to access reliable, up-to-date information. BPR offers a text only version of our site. Bookmark it in your phone in case internet services are limited.
In addition to tuning in to BPR, consider these steps before a disaster strikes:
Sign up for local emergency alerts if you haven’t already.
Your local officials are the best source of information on wildfires. Counties are the main point of contact for emergency services in North Carolina. They are often a separate agency in larger, more populated areas; in smaller communities, fire chiefs or sheriff’s offices may manage emergency response and alerts. If you’re having trouble finding your local department, search for your state or territory.
Some examples of where to register for county alert systems in North Carolina are below. Some, but not all, counties and cities have alerts available in Spanish.
- Transylvania
- Buncombe (Sign up for emergency alerts by texting BCAlert to 99411)
- Madison
- Yancey (There’s a specific alert system for Burnsville)
- Jackson
- Henderson (There’s a Hendersonville alert system as well)
- Cherokee
- Polk
You can also sign up for statewide alerts from Weatheready NC.
Keep an eye on wildfire trackers.
- The National Interagency Fire Center, which tracks wildfires around the country.
- The NC Wildfire Viewer has current information on North Carolina’s reported and active wildfires.
- This ArcGIS fire tracker uses government data to pinpoint fire activity across the country.
Download the FEMA app.
You can download the app on Google Play or Apple to get alerts, find emergency shelters in your area, and more. You can also download the app via text messaging. On an Android device, text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA); On an Apple Device, text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA).
Air quality concerns
Obviously, if you can see haze and smell smoke, the air quality is not good and you should limit your outdoor activities.
Soot and smoke from fires contain particulate matter, or PM. Burned structures can also contribute to high particulate matter because they can release substances including lead and asbestos in the air.
According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the smallest particles, — PM2.5 — are 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair and can pass deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream, causing coughing, asthma attacks, or elevated heart rates. Children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease are more at risk.
The DEQ releases air quality conditions daily. Check your county here.
If your house or workplace was near the fire, you may notice a smell for weeks after. The University of Colorado Boulder has guidance on how to mitigate the smell by changing your HVAC air filters, letting in fresh air when it is safe, and deep cleaning surfaces.
Pack a Go Bag
How to pack an emergency kit
It is important to have an emergency kit ready in case you lose power or need to leave your home. Review this checklist from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for what to pack so you can stay safe, hydrated, and healthy.
These can often be expensive to create, so contact your local disaster aid organizations, houses of worship, or charities to see if there are free or affordable kits available. Ideally, this will be packed well in advance of hurricane or fire season; gather as much as you can ahead of time in case shelves are empty when a disaster hits.
Some of the most important things to have:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)
- Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food) and can opener
- Medicines and documentation of your medical needs
- Identification and proof of residency documents (see a more detailed list below)
- Flashlight, battery-powered or hand crank radio, and batteries
- Blanket(s) and sleeping bags
- Change of clothes and shoes
- First aid kit (The Red Cross has a list of what to include)
- N-95 asks, hand sanitizer, and trash bags
- Wrench or pliers
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- If you have babies/children: diapers, wipes, and food or formula
- If you have pets: food, collar, leash, and any medicines needed
Don’t forget: Documents
One of the most important things to have in your emergency kit is documents you may need to prove your residence, demonstrate extent of damage, and to vote. FEMA often requires you to provide these documents in order to receive financial assistance after a disaster.
Keep these items in a waterproof folder or container. You can find more details about why you may need these documents here.
- Government issued ID, such as a drivers’ license for for each member of your household
- Proof of citizenship or legal residency for each member of your household (passport, green card, etc.)
- Social Security card for each member of your household
- Documentation of your medical needs, such as medications or special equipment including oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, etc.
- Health insurance card
- Car title and registration documents
- Pre-disaster photos of the inside and outside of your house and belongings
- Copy of your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy
- For homeowners: copies of your deed, mortgage information, and flood insurance policy, if applicable
- For renters: a copy of your lease
- Financial documents such as a checkbook or voided check
Make an evacuation (and return) plan
Most of the fires burned on public land in the March 2025 wildfires in Western North Carolina, so not many structures were damaged. However, that could quickly change the next time there’s a wildfire. While many evacuation orders have been rescinded, they could pop back up if conditions change this spring or in the fall wildfire season.
It is important to have a plan in case there’s an evacuation order in your area, or you decide you want to evacuate on your own. FEMA has a list of key things to know when planning an evacuation.
- Choose several places you could go in an emergency — maybe a friend or family member’s house in another city, or a hotel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options. If you have pets, make sure the place you choose allows them, as shelters usually only allow service animals.
- Make sure you know several routes and other means of transportation out of your area, in case roads are closed.
- Keep a full tank of gas in your car if you know a disaster may be coming, and keep your emergency kit in your car or in an easily accessible place.
- Come up with a plan to stay in touch with family members or members of your household in case you are separated. Check with your neighbors as well.
- Unplug electrical equipment, but leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in. If there’s already damage, shut off water, gas, and electricity.
How do I protect my home from a fire?
The list below contains tips from several sources, including FEMA and the National Fire Protection Association.
- Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
- Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home. This is especially important as the community cleans up debris from Hurricane Helene.
- Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
- Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate or make repairs.
- Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles.
- Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
- Move any flammable material, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, and firewood piles, away from walls. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
Are there additional recommendations or access to support for folks with disabilities who are evacuated during a fire?
FEMA has a list of planning steps for people with disabilities. Some of these recommendations include:
- Contact your local emergency management office to ask about voluntary registries for people with disabilities to self-identify so they can get targeted assistance during emergencies and disasters.
- If you use medical equipment that requires electricity, ask your health care provider about what you may be able to do to keep it running during a power outage.
- Wear medical alert tags or bracelets. Also add pertinent medical information to your electronic devices.
- In your emergency kit, have your prescription information and medicines, as well as contact information for people who can help care for you or answer questions.
It is critical to know your rights during a disaster. Disability Rights North Carolina monitors shelters to make sure people with disabilities have what they need, advocate for people who are denied accommodations, and work with communities to ensure people with disabilities are included in disaster planning.
Disabled people have a right to all disaster alerts in a format that is accessible. The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, a disability-led nonprofit focused on disasters, has a list. They run a hotline as well for any questions: (800) 626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org.
- If you require sign language interpreters, Braille, large print, or other alternative formats, you have a right to reasonable accommodations throughout the disaster assistance process.
- Community evacuation transportation plans must include accessible options for people with mobility disabilities or limited transportation.
- You have a right to disability services and support in a community shelter. Shelters cannot discriminate when providing safety, comfort, or basic needs and have to be physically accessible.
- You have the right to keep your service animal with you during evacuation, sheltering, and while being temporarily housed.
Is there guidance for folks returning to their homes after evacuating?
Before you start walking around the property:
- Turn off your electricity and gas.
- Have a first aid kit handy.
- Make sure your tetanus shot is up to date (your state or county health department may offer free tetanus vaccines if you need one; it is best to call them to find out).
- Check the structural integrity of the building before entering.
- Wear protective clothing: long sleeves and pants, eye goggles, rubber or plastic gloves, waterproof boots or shoes, a respirator or N95 mask, and a Tyvek suit if you can find one. Check with your local distribution sites for tools, personal protective equipment, and cleaning materials.
Then, start to take photos and videos for any insurance claims or aid applications you may apply for.
- Gather any photos of your house or apartment from before so that you can more easily prove your lost property value.
- Take photos of the outside and inside of your home or apartment, including damaged personal property, and label them by room before you remove anything.
- If you have insurance, take photos of the make, model, and serial number for appliances. Provide receipts to your adjuster to document damaged property for your claim.
- After documenting damage, the next step is to begin the cleanup process. Here’s information on how to navigate the cleanup process after a wildfire.
