When the Lights Go Out. Sheltering in place during a wildfire or earthquake.
When wildfire smoke fills the air or an earthquake disrupts utilities and infrastructure, sheltering in place is often the safest immediate option. Sheltering in place is not simply staying home — it is a proactive emergency strategy.
When you prepare your home with the right supplies and understand the steps to take during earthquakes and wildfires, you create stability in moments of uncertainty. Prepared households respond calmly. Equipped households recover faster. Planning today strengthens resilience.
Effective sheltering in place during wildfires and earthquakes comes down to three essentials: clean air, safe structures, and reliable supplies. This guide is designed to make that planning tangible and approachable, offering a curated, practical look at the products that matter most: reliable emergency power, well-designed first aid kits, and effective smoke protection.
Together, these tools allow households to remain calm, informed, and resilient—even when the grid is down, and conditions outside are unpredictable.
Sheltering in Place Guides
How to Immediately Secure Your Home
When wildfire smoke fills the air, or an earthquake disrupts infrastructure and utilities, sheltering in place is often the safest immediate option. With preparation and calm execution, you can protect your health, conserve resources, and maintain stability until conditions improve.
Safeguard Your Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles and infiltrate homes even when flames are far away. The primary health threat during most wildfire events is not fire itself — it’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Protecting indoor air quality is one of the most important actions you can take to safeguard your household.
Urban Emergency Power Resources
During a blackout, immediately unplug sensitive electronics to prevent surge damage when power returns. Use flashlights or battery lanterns instead of candles to reduce fire risk. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food temperature. If using a generator, operate it outdoors, far from windows, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Conserve phone batteries, use backup power strategically, and monitor local utility updates via battery-powered radio or mobile alerts.
Eating and Drinking in the Dark
When a wildfire or earthquake strikes, the first priority is life safety — but very quickly, safe food and water become critical to your health and resilience. In disasters power outages, broken water mains, and ash contamination can make tap water unsafe and spoil refrigerated food within hours. Wildfire smoke and debris can also contaminate exposed supplies. Preparing ahead with proper water filtration, sealed food storage, and dedicated supplies for children and pets ensures your household can remain hydrated and nourished during evacuation orders or shelter-in-place scenarios.
Neighborhood Emergency Communication Plan
Reliable emergency communication is critical during wildfires and earthquakes. When disasters occur, timely information guides decisions about sheltering, evacuating, and protecting loved ones. Because power and cell networks may fail or become overloaded, households should maintain multiple ways to receive alerts, including emergency apps, text notifications, and a battery-powered radio. Establishing an out-of-area contact and keeping backup power for devices ensures you can stay informed and connected when it matters most.
Plan Ahead and Act Fast
Preparing to escalate means recognizing that conditions can change quickly and being ready to act without delay. During a wildfire or after an earthquake, initial shelter-in-place actions may shift to evacuation if hazards intensify. Keep go-bags accessible, vehicles fueled, important documents secured, and communication devices charged. Stay alert to official updates and know multiple evacuation routes in advance. Planning for escalation ensures you can move from monitoring to action swiftly, safely, and with confidence.
Caring for Yourself and Your Family During an Emergency
Supporting physical and emotional well-being during an emergency is essential for resilience and recovery. Prioritize basic needs first: watch hydration, nutrition, rest, and take necessary medications to maintain physical stability. Just as important is managing stress through simple grounding techniques such as slow breathing, staying connected with loved ones, and limiting exposure to distressing news. Maintaining routines where possible and offering reassurance, especially to children and vulnerable individuals, helps create a sense of stability and control during uncertain times.
Evacuating During a Wildfire or Earthquake
When a wildfire or earthquake threatens your home, leaving early can save lives. Evacuation is about acting quickly, staying organized, and prioritizing safety for yourself, your family, and pets. Begin by monitoring official alerts from local agencies like Alert LA County, CAL FIRE, and the Pasadena Office of Emergency Management. Pack your go-bags, important documents, and emergency tech, and load your vehicle in a way that allows for rapid departure. Keep protective gear, medications, and essential supplies within reach, and follow your pre-planned evacuation routes to avoid congestion. Preparing ahead ensures that when the moment comes, you can leave confidently, safely, and with everything you need to ride out the emergency.
Emergency Equipment
Deep Dive
This official U.S. government resource explains what sheltering in place is, when it’s necessary, and how to safely stay indoors during chemical, biological, or environmental emergencies. Step‑by‑step guidance includes sealing doors and windows, assembling a supply kit, and monitoring official alerts.
Ready.gov
OSHA provides workplace-centered instructions, but the guidance is adaptable for homes. It outlines procedures for quickly moving to a safe room, sealing off the area, and maintaining communication. The resource emphasizes the rationale for sheltering versus evacuation in certain hazards.
OSHA
Practical local government guidance on what actions to take when advised to shelter in place, including how to prepare and stay informed during the event.
NYC Emergency Management
Red Cross
Focused on people with disabilities or special access needs, this guide explains how to prepare a personalized shelter-in-place plan. It highlights adaptive strategies, support networks, and resources to ensure safety for all household members during emergencies.
Do1Thing
A practical preparedness resource outlining basic sheltering actions and planning tasks for families, including how to react to shelter‑in‑place orders and practice your plan.
Ready San Francisco
ReadySF is organized around three core actions: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, and Stay Informed. The site walks users through creating a household emergency plan, identifying evacuation routes, selecting meeting locations, and preparing for shelter-in-place situations. It also offers detailed supply checklists for home, workplace, and go-bags, including guidance for pets, seniors, and people with access and functional needs.