Michael Wellborn 4/29/25 Michael Wellborn 4/29/25

Pet Safety During Wildfire Season: A Guide for East Bay Families

As wildfires continue to devastate communities across California, protecting your home, family, and pets becomes an urgent priority. In areas like Berkeley, Oakland, Moraga, and Lafayette, residents are particularly vulnerable to wildfires, and this is why pet safety during fire season is crucial. Pet owners must not only prepare their homes but also plan for their pets' safety in case of an evacuation or emergency.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand how to keep your pets safe during wildfires, offering expert advice from local organizations like Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), Berkeley Humane, Friends of the Alameda County Shelter, and Berkeley Animal Center. Additionally, we'll explore how to create a pet-friendly wildfire evacuation plan and ensure your pets are protected before, during, and after a wildfire event.

Step 1: Fire Prevention for Your Pets

One of the most important steps in wildfire safety is prevention. According to Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), "Fire prevention for pets starts inside the home by reducing fire hazards and making sure your pets are not put in harm's way due to negligence" ARF.

Reduce Open Flames: Pets, especially curious cats and energetic dogs, often interact with household items like candles, which can lead to accidental fires. Replace traditional candles with electric flameless candles or keep flame candles inside protective glass containers away from pet activity zones.
Protect Stove Knobs: The Alameda County Animal Shelter advises covering stove knobs to prevent pets, particularly large dogs, from accidentally turning on burners, which is a leading cause of fire ignitions in homes with pets.
Manage Electrical Wires: Pets can chew on electrical cords, creating both fire hazards and risks of electrocution. Wire management sleeves can protect your wires and prevent accidents. Taste deterrent sprays also help prevent pets from chewing on cords.

Step 2: Preparing for Fire Season with Your Pet

Preparation is key when it comes to wildfire safety. Berkeley Humane offers expert advice on how to make sure your pets are ready for an evacuation: "The key to managing wildfire risks for your pets is planning ahead, so that when the situation arises, your pets are part of the plan" Berkeley Humane.

Create a Pet-Friendly Bugout Bag: Pack essential items such as food, water, medical records, leashes, comfort items, and pet medications. Friends of the Alameda County Shelter stresses the importance of updating your pet’s identification, including microchips and collars with up-to-date contact information.
Designate Roles and Responsibilities: If your family is in different locations when a wildfire breaks out, establish who is responsible for which pet, including assigning duties for evacuating pets and ensuring they are safe during the evacuation.
Identify Pet-Friendly Shelters: Many local shelters, including those in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, may be filled quickly during wildfire evacuations. Moraga’s emergency preparedness team advises residents to familiarize themselves with pet-friendly hotels and shelters well in advance, such as Berkeley Humane and Tony La Russa’s ARF, which both offer temporary shelters for pets in emergencies.

Step 3: During the Fire: Protecting Your Pets

When the fire alarms sound, time becomes your most precious resource. Evacuating early gives you and your pets the best chance of staying safe.

Leash Your Pets: The Berkeley Humane Society emphasizes, "During evacuations, keep pets on a leash, as they may become disoriented and frightened in the chaos" [Berkeley Humane]. Ensure all pets are on a leash and that they are properly secured in a safe location during the evacuation.
Notify Rescuers About Pets Left Behind: If you cannot get your pets out safely, immediately inform emergency responders about the location of your pets. As noted by Friends of the Alameda County Shelter, "First responders have the proper equipment to rescue pets safely but need clear communication from residents about where pets are located" [Friends of the Alameda County Shelter].

Step 4: After the Fire: Reuniting with Your Pets

Once it's safe to return, your job is far from over. Reuniting with your pets requires both emotional and physical preparation.

Rehydrate and Feed Your Pets: After a stressful evacuation, pets will need food, water, and a quiet space to rest. Berkeley Humane recommends providing a familiar comfort item such as their favorite blanket or toy to help reduce stress.
Check for Injuries: After being away for an extended period, inspect your pets for burns, scratches, or injuries. Tony La Russa’s ARF suggests that owners should "take pets to a veterinarian as soon as possible if there are any signs of distress or injury" [ARF].

Step 5: How Zone Zero Fire Shield Can Help Protect Your Pets

One of the most valuable tools in your home’s wildfire defense arsenal is the Zone Zero Fire Shield. For homes in Berkeley, Oakland, and Contra Costa County, where wildfires can be fast-moving and devastating, Zone Zero Fire Shield provides an added layer of protection for your property and your pets.

Zone Zero Fire Shield:

Protects your property up to 3,000°F, shielding structures, cars, RVs, propane tanks, and even outdoor pet enclosures from embers and radiant heat.
Does not require water, power, or supervision, making it a perfect solution for those who need to evacuate quickly but still want their home and pets protected.
Can be deployed in under an hour, offering immediate relief and confidence that your belongings—and pets—are safe.

For residents in Moraga or Orinda, where proximity to vegetation and steep terrain increases wildfire risks, having a Zone Zero Fire Shield in place ensures that your pets and home are protected even if you’re not there when a fire hits.

Step 6: Stay Informed and Connected

Ensuring the safety of your pets during a wildfire isn’t just about physical preparation—it’s also about staying informed and connected.

Sign Up for Local Alerts: Register for AC Alert (Alameda County), Contra Costa County Alerts, Moraga Police Nixle, and Berkeley’s Emergency Notifications to receive real-time updates during a wildfire.
Know Where to Find Your Pet: Berkeley Humane advises that you keep an updated record of your pets' favorite hiding spots, as they may take refuge in familiar places.

Conclusion

By preparing for wildfires with a detailed plan for your pets, you can mitigate much of the anxiety and chaos associated with evacuation. From creating a bug-out bag and evacuation routes to ensuring your pets are protected with the Zone Zero Fire Shield, every step you take will help ensure their safety during fire season. Local resources like Tony La Russa’s ARF, Berkeley Humane, and Friends of the Alameda County Shelter are invaluable partners in keeping your pets safe.

Related Blogs in Our Series:

Michael Wellborn 4/29/25 Michael Wellborn 4/29/25

Creating a Wildfire Evacuation Plan for Your Family

Wildfire evacuations happen fast. Sometimes you have hours to prepare; sometimes, it’s only minutes. That’s why every California household—especially those in the East Bay—should have a clear, practiced evacuation plan.

This isn’t just about checking a few boxes on a to-do list. It’s about making decisions now so that you and your loved ones don’t have to make them during the chaos of a fire.

Here’s how to build a smart, reliable wildfire evacuation plan, plus how the Zone Zero Fire Shield solution can give you extra peace of mind when you leave.

Step 1: Know Your Threats

If you live in areas like Moraga, Orinda, Danville, Oakland Hills, or Blackhawk, your home is in what CAL FIRE designates as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). That means fast-moving wildfires, steep terrain, and limited escape routes.

Moraga Emergency Preparedness: Moraga advises all residents to maintain 2 evacuation routes and keep vehicles filled and facing out. Their site includes shelter information and evacuation route maps.
Orinda Evacuation Info: Orinda publishes specific wildfire zones and has guidance for evacuation drills and neighborhood watch collaboration.
Lafayette Evacuation Planning: The city recommends preloading evacuation zones into your navigation apps.
City of Oakland Evacuation Preparedness: Includes Zonehaven information and emphasizes Go-Bag prep and pets.
Contra Costa Sheriff’s Evacuation Readiness: Broad guidelines, including community-wide drills and sheltering plans.

Visit CAL FIRE’s FHSZ Viewer to confirm your risk zone.

Step 2: Build and Maintain a Go-Bag

Each member of your household—including pets—should have a “go-bag” ready at all times. Keep it in a closet near your main exit or in your car during fire season.

Include:

Copies of important documents (insurance, ID, title)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Medications and medical supplies
Phone chargers and power banks
Cash and credit card
3-day supply of food and water
Pet food and leash
Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
N95 masks (for smoke)
USB with family photos and documents
Portable radio

Maintain your bag seasonally. Refill medications, rotate food and water, and test electronics.

Step 3: Design Multiple Evacuation Routes

Fires often block main roads. Your family should know at least two ways out of your neighborhood.

Steps to plan routes:

Drive each route in daylight and at night
Check for construction or narrow passages
Keep printed maps in your vehicle
Practice using navigation apps to avoid hazards

Local road closure info:

511 Contra Costa
Zonehaven Aware for real-time zone status

Step 4: Family Communication Plan

Wildfire evacuations are chaotic. You might not be together when the order comes.

Establish:

A central out-of-area contact person
Meeting locations outside the neighborhood
Backup communication methods (walkie-talkies, written instructions)

Encourage family to memorize:

One out-of-town contact number
Your evacuation zone ID (Zonehaven provides these)
Your address and cross-streets

Step 5: Sign Up for Local Alerts

Every city and county has its own alert system. Don’t wait—register for them all:

AC Alert (Alameda County)
Contra Costa County Alerts
City of Berkeley Emergency Notifications
Moraga Police Nixle
Oakland Wildfire Evacuation Alerts

Enable push notifications, emails, and SMS for every adult in the household.

Step 6: Prep Vehicles and Tools

Your vehicle becomes your escape route. Don’t let it be the weakest link.

Gas tanks half full or more
Park facing outward, away from garage doors
Keep spare keys accessible
Remove paper, gas cans, flammable seat covers
Consider a rooftop cargo box for extra gear
Don’t forget tire pressure and battery checks

Step 7: Make a Pet Evacuation Plan

Many families lose pets during wildfires—not because they don’t care, but because they’re unprepared.

Keep crates near exits
Pre-pack food, bowls, leashes, and pet meds
Microchip all pets
Store a hard copy of vaccination records
Identify shelters or hotels that accept animals

Check local animal services:

Contra Costa Animal Services
Alameda County Animal Services

Step 8: Evacuate Early

Waiting too long can cost lives. Even if the evacuation is voluntary, leave when:

Smoke is visible
Alerts recommend you “prepare to evacuate”
Emergency services are staging nearby

The earlier you leave:

The safer your route
The less congested the roads
The more time responders have to protect the neighborhood

Step 9: Protect Your Home While You Leave

Before you go, if you have time:

Close all windows and doors
Leave lights on
Shut off gas and propane
Move flammables away from the structure
Remove flammable window coverings

Or—better yet—let us handle it.

With Zone Zero Fire Shield, you don’t have to scramble to protect your belongings.

Our service:

Deploys a 3,000°F fire-resistant blanket around your home and property
Covers cars, motorcycles, RVs, propane tanks, and outdoor equipment
Works whether you’re home or not
Is triggered by early fire alerts or a pre-signed agreement
Lets you evacuate without worrying about your heirlooms, art, photos, or electronics

We’ve designed our system specifically for families who live out of state, rent their homes, or might be away when a fire hits. If you're already gone, we’ll still show up. If you are home, you can evacuate with peace of mind.

Step 10: Practice and Rehearse

At least once per year:

Sound a drill
Grab go-bags
Evacuate in real time
Time your departure
Debrief as a family and improve your plan

Include neighbors if possible. Local fire departments often support evacuation practice events or CERT training.

Additional Tips

Save scanned copies of documents to cloud storage
Keep fireproof bags in your go-bag
Install a battery backup garage door opener
Don’t rely on landlines—use SMS, apps, or battery radios

Final Word

Evacuation planning is about more than logistics—it’s about trust and readiness. When you’ve planned well, you make space for calm action instead of panic.

And when you’ve added full-structure fire shielding to your home defense, you gain the freedom to evacuate knowing your home and everything in it is protected—even if you can’t be there.

Take your family. Leave your worries.

The Zone Zero Fire Shield team hopes you find this information helpful.