Scorching temperatures, unpredictable winds and smoky skies are concerning, but there are ways to fortify your household against loss if a fire comes to your property.

Here are ways to prepare now to slow a wildfire, allow your household and pets to escape safely and know what possessions you left behind in case you need to file an insurance claim.

Sign up for notifications: Enroll in Public Alerts, Citizen Alert or a service in your county to be notified via text, call or email by emergency response agencies when you need to take action such as shelter-in-place or evacuate. The National Weather Service website posts information about local wind speed and direction, which may inform your fire evacuation route. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app should list open shelters during an active disaster in your area. Follow the instructions of local officials.

Have an escape plan: Make sure everyone in your household knows your emergency escape plan, including how to safely exit dwellings, where you will all reunite and how you will contact each other in case power lines or phone signals aren’t working. Find a safe place, which can be an open area with green grass or dirt, where flames are not active. Review the American Red Cross emergency preparedness checklist.

Pack a go bag: Put together a small duffel bag or backpack of essentials such as hard-to-replace medicines and spare eye glasses to grab as you race out the door. Keep the bag as lightweight as possible in case you have to carry it on foot or use public transportation. Shelters most likely have food, water, first-aid supplies and toilet paper. Bring cash and coins for vending machines. Read more about assembling home survival kits at redcross.org and Ready.gov, and ready-made go bags at redfora.com.

Protective clothes: If you have time, put on pants, socks and a long-sleeve shirt made of a low-flammable natural fabric like cotton or wool. Hard-sole shoes or boots, protective goggles and a face covering or smoke masks should be near the go bag. Don’t delay searching for items in an emergency situation. Heat, smoke and ash make it difficult to breathe, and blinding smoke quickly darkens daylight.

Pets: Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency. Update information on a pet ID tag or microchip if you have changed your address, phone number or emergency contact outside your immediate area. Place a pet rescue alert sticker near the front door or window so it’s visible to rescue workers. Also pre-pack a lightweight travel bag for your pet and identify a place to stay that will accept animals.

Reduce fire’s fuel: Clear away unneeded flammable materials inside your home and create a lean and green landscape that can slow, resist or stop the spread of a fire. Irrigated areas that include grass and clusters of native plants or succulents surrounded by rock, not wood bark, can act as fire buffers along with patios, gravel walkways and driveways. Ask if your city offers a fire mitigation site assessment where professional fire personnel or trained volunteers walk the property with you to point out potential dangers and suggest fire suppression changes. Read more ways to make your home fire wise.

Know your home and auto insurance policy coverage, limits and requirements. Ask your insurance company now how to create a home inventory list and if you need to take photos.

Create a digital financial binder. Scan financial documents, such as passports, Social Security cards, insurance policies, titles, deeds and financial accounts. Don’t keep copies in an emergency kit in case the kit is lost or stolen.

Test your smoke detectors and other safety equipment frequently throughout the year and especially during fire season. Keep a whistle in each bedroom to alert the household if there’s a fire or other emergency. Know how to locate and shut off the gas.

Keep your car’s fuel or charge at least half full in case you have to quickly evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages, says Ready.gov. Take one car per family to reduce congestion on roads.

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman