Boulder County Can Send Three Types of Emergency Evacuation Messages

Advisory: An informational message about an emergency situation that is likely to impact one of the addresses listed on your profile.

Evacuation Warning: Prepare to take action for you and your family due to an emergency situation affecting one of the addresses listed on your profile.  Individuals needing extra time to mobilize should take immediate action when a Warning notification is issued.

Evacuation Order: Take required action immediately. 

To receive emergency notifications, please see the Emergency Notifications Page

If you receive an Evacuation Warning or Advisory

An evacuation warning notification means that you should prepare to take action, which in the case of a wildland fire means prepare to evacuate. There are things you can do if you have a little time prior to an evacuation, such as when you receive an evacuation warning notification. That said, an evacuation warning should be treated as an imminent emergency. In particular, if you need extra time getting out, you should take immediate action when a warning notification is issued.

How much time you’ll have varies because emergency incidents are fluid, unpredictable, and evolve rapidly. But if you have a couple of hours to prepare prior to evacuating, using what time you have in a calm and efficient manner will make all the difference. Here are some actions to consider:

Consider Evacuating Right Away. If you see smoke or flames near you, or if you feel like you are in an unsafe place or that your evacuation route will soon be compromised, evacuate immediately. Do not wait for a reverse 911 or other official evacuation order. And do not call 911 to ask if you need to evacuate. Doing so ties up emergency resources, delaying help for others who need emergency help.

Voluntary evacuations are advised if you are concerned for your safety, feel you need additional time to exit the area, or have health conditions that may be aggravated by the incident. You are also encouraged to move pets and animals out of the area to prepare for mandatory evacuations.

Monitor Official Information Sources. Monitor these official Boulder Office of Disaster Management resources for updates on evacuations and the fire:

• Website: https://www.boulderodm.gov
• Wildfire Incident Map: https://protect.genasys.com/search
• Information map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e4a2796d128d45c38a8ce902462ade12

Inventory Your Go Bag and Gather Your Checklist Items. Make sure you have everything you need by going through your go bag and checklist of items to take. Also refer to our Wildfire Evacuation Checklist.  

Other Preparation Measures: As time permits, here are some other ways to prepare your home just before you evacuate:

• Gather children, dependents, and pets/livestock, or make arrangements to meet them in town if they are not with you at home
• Gather your go bag and the items on your evacuation checklist and put them in your vehicle
• Crate your pets so they are ready to be loaded into your vehicle
• Open your garage door
• Park your vehicle facing out
• Review your evacuation routes. Visit our District evacuation maps page.
• Turn house lights on, close windows, turn off air conditioner, leave doors and garage closed and unlocked
• Dress to prevent burns. Wear natural fiber clothing (long pants and long-sleeved shirt), boots, goggles, hat, and bandana or N-95 mask—but don’t waste time looking for these items
• Move propane and BBQ appliances away from structures
• Place a ladder against the house
• Move combustible deck furniture and doormats inside
• Attach outdoor hoses and make them visible

**If the evacuation order comes, or if you smell smoke/see flames or otherwise feel unsafe, act immediately. Load people and pets and GO! **

If you receive an Evacuation Order or Decide to Evacuate Based on Perceived Threat

When you receive an evacuation order or when you decide to evacuate because of an immediate perceived threat, you no longer have time to prepare beyond grabbing your go bag and loading your family and pets in your vehicle. It is time to go, immediately.

When to Leave: If a fire happens in our area and you feel your safety is threatened, take appropriate actions. You do not need to wait for an evacuation notice to leave.

When you receive an evacuation order, leave immediately. This will help you avoid being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. Do not wait to be told multiple times by authorities to leave. In an intense wildfire, they may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate! Do not check your neighborhood’s email forum to ask if you should leave. Do not call 911 to ask if you need to evacuate. Doing so ties up emergency resources, delaying help for others who need emergency assistance.

Where to Go: Leave to a predetermined location (it should be a low-risk area, such as a well-prepared friend’s or relative’s house, a Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, a hotel, etc.)

How to Get There: Have several travel routes in case one route is blocked by the fire or by emergency vehicles and equipment. Choose an escape route away from the fire. Download and print district evacuation maps in advance, and put copies in every vehicle. See our District evacuation maps page.