Oregon OEM Urges Statewide Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness Ahead 2025 Season

As Oregon concludes Wildfire Awareness Month, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) strongly urges residents to prepare for another potentially severe wildfire season by developing evacuation plans and staying informed through emergency alerts. Last year marked Oregon's most destructive wildfire season on record, and 2025 is expected to be similarly challenging, prompting officials to emphasize readiness to receive timely evacuation notices and act quickly if necessary. OEM recommends signing up for local emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov, enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones, and following local emergency services for updates. Residents are also encouraged to create comprehensive family evacuation plans, including multiple evacuation routes, safe meeting places, provisions for pets and those with disabilities, and assembling a 'go-kit' with essential supplies. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation alert system—Ready (Level One), Set (Level Two), and Go (Level Three)—to communicate wildfire threats and evacuation urgency. Additionally, early wildfire incidents like the Manley Creek Road fire in Idaho demonstrate the rapid spread potential of fires, underscoring the need for community preparedness and coordination among emergency agencies.