Every year, millions of Californians living in wildfire-prone areas face the same critical question: what should I do before, during, and after a wildfire threatens my home? CAL FIRE’s Ready Set Go wildfire action plan provides a clear, three-phase framework that guides homeowners through preparation, situational awareness, and safe evacuation. Whether you live in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a community that has experienced recent wildfire activity, understanding and implementing the Ready Set Go program could save your life, your family, and your property.

This guide breaks down each phase of the CAL FIRE Ready Set Go program, provides actionable checklists, and explains how professional wildfire mitigation services from Ember Pro can help you complete the most critical phase: getting your home and property truly ready.

What Is the CAL FIRE Ready Set Go Program?

The Ready Set Go program is CAL FIRE’s official public education initiative designed to help residents living in wildfire-prone areas prepare for wildfire emergencies. Developed in partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the program divides wildfire preparedness into three intuitive phases:

• Ready: Prepare your home, property, and family well before a wildfire threatens.
• Set: Maintain situational awareness when a wildfire is reported in your area.
• Go: Evacuate early when directed or when conditions become dangerous.

The program emphasizes that the vast majority of life-saving and property-saving work happens during the Ready phase, long before any fire is visible. Homeowners who invest time and resources in preparation dramatically improve their chances of surviving a wildfire with their home intact.

Phase 1: Ready — Prepare Your Home and Family

The Ready phase is the foundation of the entire CAL FIRE wildfire action plan. This is where homeowners take proactive steps to reduce their property’s vulnerability to wildfire and ensure their family has a plan in place. The Ready phase should be completed before fire season begins each year and maintained throughout the year.

Create and Maintain Defensible Space

Defensible space is the single most important factor in determining whether your home survives a wildfire. CAL FIRE requires property owners in fire hazard severity zones to maintain cleared zones around their structures:

• Zone 0 (0-5 feet from structures): Remove all combustible materials, dead vegetation, and debris. Use non-combustible landscaping materials like gravel or stone. No mulch, no wood chips, no dry plants within this critical ember ignition zone.
• Zone 1 (5-30 feet): Create lean, clean, and green landscaping. Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and pine needles. Space trees so crowns are at least 10 feet apart. Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less.
• Zone 2 (30-100 feet): Reduce fuel density by spacing shrubs and trees. Remove ladder fuels that allow fire to climb from ground level into tree canopies. Create horizontal spacing between shrub groupings of at least twice the height of the shrubs.

Harden Your Home Against Ember Attack

Research shows that most homes ignite during wildfires not from direct flame contact but from wind-carried embers that can travel more than a mile ahead of a fire front. Home hardening addresses the vulnerable points where embers penetrate and ignite structures:

• Install Class A fire-rated roofing and ensure no gaps exist where embers can accumulate
• Screen all vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh to block ember entry into attics and crawl spaces
• Replace single-pane windows with dual-pane tempered glass to resist radiant heat
• Enclose eaves and soffits to eliminate ember traps
• Use non-combustible materials for decks, fencing within 5 feet of the home, and patio covers
• Ensure compliance with California building codes for fire-resistant construction

Build a Family Wildfire Action Plan

The Ready phase includes preparing your family, not just your property. A complete family wildfire action plan covers:

• Evacuation routes: Identify at least three routes from your home to safety. Drive each route so every family member knows the way. Print maps and keep them in each vehicle.
• Communication plan: Designate an out-of-state contact as your central communication point. Agree on a meeting location outside the evacuation zone. Text rather than call during emergencies since texts get through when voice networks are overloaded.
• Go-bag preparation: Pack a 72-hour emergency kit for each household member with medications, documents, cash, clothing, phone chargers, N95 masks, and water.
• Important documents: Keep copies of identification, insurance policies, property deeds, medical records, and financial documents in a waterproof bag ready to grab.
• Emergency alerts: Register for your county’s alert system, download the Watch Duty app, and follow local fire agencies on social media.

Pet and Livestock Planning

The Ready phase must account for every member of your household, including animals:

• Keep pet carriers accessible and pre-loaded with a blanket and comfort item
• Maintain current vaccination records and microchip registration
• Identify pet-friendly shelters and hotels along evacuation routes
• For horses and livestock, pre-arrange trailer transport and identify large-animal evacuation facilities
• Establish a buddy system with neighbors for animal evacuation if you are not home when an order is issued

Phase 2: Set — Situational Awareness When Fire Is Nearby

The Set phase activates when a wildfire has been reported in your region, even if it is not directly threatening your community. During this phase, you transition from preparation to active monitoring and readiness.

Set Phase Action Checklist

• Monitor fire activity through Watch Duty, CAL FIRE incident pages, and local news
• Review your evacuation routes and confirm they are not threatened
• Load vehicles with go-bags, pet supplies, and important documents
• Move combustible patio furniture, cushions, and doormats indoors
• Close all windows, doors, and fireplace dampers
• Shut off air conditioning to prevent smoke and ember infiltration
• Connect garden hoses and fill pools, hot tubs, or other water containers
• Place a ladder against the house for firefighter roof access
• Turn on exterior lights so your home is visible through smoke
• Dress in long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes so you are ready to leave immediately
• Ensure all family members and pets are accounted for and ready to move

The Set phase is about eliminating delay. If an evacuation order is issued, you should be able to leave within five minutes because everything is already loaded, routes are confirmed, and your family knows the plan.

Phase 3: Go — Evacuate Early

The Go phase is the simplest to describe and the hardest for many people to execute: leave early. Do not wait for an official evacuation order if you feel unsafe. CAL FIRE consistently emphasizes that early evacuation saves lives. Waiting until the last minute creates gridlock, panic, and deadly situations on evacuation routes.

Go Phase Action Checklist

• Leave immediately when an evacuation order is issued or when you feel conditions are unsafe
• Follow your pre-planned evacuation route. If your primary route is blocked, use your secondary or emergency route
• Notify your out-of-state contact that you are evacuating and where you are headed
• Do not attempt to return home to retrieve forgotten items
• Keep vehicle windows and vents closed while driving through smoky areas
• Drive with headlights on and watch for emergency vehicles and other evacuees
• If trapped in your vehicle, park in a clear area away from vegetation, lie below window level, and cover yourself with a wool blanket
• Check in with family members via text once you reach your designated meeting point

Never stay behind to fight a wildfire. Even if you have wildfire defense systems installed on your property, these systems are designed to operate without you present. Your life is more valuable than any structure.

How Ember Pro Helps You Complete the Ready Phase

The Ready phase is where professional assistance makes the greatest difference. While the Set and Go phases rely primarily on awareness and action, the Ready phase involves complex property assessment, vegetation management, and structural improvements that benefit from expert guidance.

Ember Pro specializes in helping California homeowners achieve comprehensive wildfire readiness:

• Professional Wildfire Risk Assessment: Our team evaluates your property against CAL FIRE standards, identifying vulnerabilities in defensible space, structural hardening, and access.
• Defensible Space Implementation: We create and maintain all three defensible space zones, including the critical Zone 0 ember-resistant perimeter.
• Home Hardening Consultation: Expert guidance on the most impactful structural improvements for your specific home and risk profile.
• Wildfire Defense Systems: Installation of integrated fire defense systems that provide active protection during wildfire events.
• Compliance Documentation: Thorough documentation of all mitigation work to support insurance applications and demonstrate regulatory compliance.

The difference between a home that survives a wildfire and one that does not often comes down to how thoroughly the Ready phase was completed. Ember Pro ensures nothing is overlooked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ready Set Go mean in the context of wildfires?

Ready Set Go is CAL FIRE’s three-phase wildfire preparedness program. Ready means preparing your home, property, and family before a fire threatens. Set means maintaining situational awareness when a fire is reported nearby. Go means evacuating early when conditions become dangerous or when ordered to leave.

When should I start the Ready phase of my wildfire action plan?

The Ready phase should begin well before fire season, ideally in early spring. Defensible space work, home hardening projects, and family planning should be completed by May or June each year. However, it is never too late to start preparing.

How much defensible space do I need around my home?

California law requires at least 100 feet of defensible space around structures in fire hazard severity zones. This is divided into Zone 0 (0-5 feet), Zone 1 (5-30 feet), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet), each with specific vegetation management requirements. Review current California wildfire laws for the latest requirements.

What should be in my wildfire go-bag?

Each family member’s go-bag should contain prescription medications (3-day supply), copies of important documents, N95 masks, phone charger and battery pack, cash in small bills, three changes of clothing, flashlight, water (one gallon per person per day), and non-perishable food.

Should I stay and defend my home instead of evacuating?

No. CAL FIRE strongly advises against civilians staying to fight wildfires. Professional firefighters have training, equipment, and escape routes that homeowners do not. Your best protection comes from thorough preparation during the Ready phase and early evacuation during the Go phase.

How do I know when to evacuate?

Evacuate when an Evacuation Order is issued for your area, or when you feel unsafe even during an Evacuation Warning. Register for your county’s emergency alert system to receive official notifications. Do not wait for flames to be visible before deciding to leave.

What if I have pets or livestock?

Include animals in your family wildfire action plan. Keep pet carriers ready, maintain vaccination records in your go-bag, identify pet-friendly evacuation destinations, and pre-arrange trailer transport for large animals. Do not leave animals behind during an evacuation.

Does completing the Ready phase help with wildfire insurance?

Yes. Many insurance companies offer premium discounts or preferential coverage for properties that demonstrate comprehensive wildfire mitigation. Documented defensible space maintenance, home hardening improvements, and professional risk assessments all strengthen your insurance position.

How often should I update my wildfire action plan?

Review and update your wildfire action plan annually before fire season. Update evacuation routes if road conditions change, refresh go-bag contents (check medication expiration dates), and reassess your property’s defensible space and hardening status each spring.

Where can I find CAL FIRE’s official Ready Set Go resources?

CAL FIRE’s official Ready Set Go materials are available at readyforwildfire.org. Your local fire department may also provide customized Ready Set Go resources specific to your community’s risk profile and evacuation zones.

References

• CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire Program — Official Ready Set Go Guidelines
• International Association of Fire Chiefs — Ready Set Go Program Framework
• California Public Resources Code Section 4291 — Defensible Space Requirements
• CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone Mapping System
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Firewise USA Community Standards
• California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) — Evacuation Procedures
• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) — Wildfire Prepared Home Standards

Related Articles

• Complete Guide to Defensible Space and Home Hardening
• Understanding Zone 0 Wildfire Protection Requirements
• Wildfire Insurance Guide for California Homeowners
• Home Hardening: Essential Upgrades for Fire Resistance
• Integrated Fire Defense Systems for Your Property
• California Building Code Compliance Checklist
• California Wildfire Laws You Need to Know

Ember Pro helps California homeowners complete the most critical phase of the Ready Set Go program: getting truly ready. From professional wildfire risk assessments and defensible space implementation to home hardening consultation and defense system installation, we ensure your property is prepared before fire season arrives. Contact Ember Pro today to schedule your wildfire readiness assessment.