With peak wildfire season underway, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has launched the “Set, Go” campaign, urging residents to prepare for possible evacuations and take preventive measures before flames reach their homes.
“The message is clear: preparing now can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and a high-risk situation,” CAL FIRE warned in a statement. The strategy, which will run through October, is part of the awareness effort under the slogan “Your Home. Your Community. Your California,” aimed at promoting shared responsibility in the face of wildfires.
The campaign highlights three key steps: creating a family action plan for wildfire, preparing an emergency kit, and evacuating early. According to the agency, families that rehearse exit routes and pack their emergency backpacks ahead of time are better positioned to respond quickly and in an organized manner, avoiding improvisation during a disaster.
Authorities cautioned that today’s wildfires spread faster and reach populated areas more easily. To address this, CAL FIRE is reinforcing its work through defensible space programs, fuel reduction, and community partnerships.
“Preparedness is not just individual; entire communities must organize to become more fire-resilient,” the agency noted, emphasizing the role of neighborhood councils and Firewise-certified communities that promote mitigation projects and wildfire protection plans.
The website ReadyForWildfire.org provides practical guides—from identifying escape routes and meeting points to the importance of keeping vehicles fueled and having essential documents, medications, and pet supplies ready.
The campaign reminds residents that neighbors helping neighbors, along with coordination with emergency agencies, can make a life-saving difference. “Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and we must all act before the fire reaches our doorsteps,” CAL FIRE reiterated.