Wildfire Preparedness Week is the Time to Take Action

Prepare Today, Protect Tomorrow: Your Role in California’s Wildfire Safety

As California faces a drier‑than‑normal winter and elevated early‑season wildfire risk, Wildfire Preparedness Week 2026 (May 3–9) centers on the theme “Prepare Today, Protect Tomorrow: Your Role in California’s Wildfire Safety.”

This message underscores a critical reality: with wildfire likelihood increasing heading into the warmer months and beyond, the actions Californians take today— from hardening homes to strengthening community readiness — will directly shape our wildfire resilience.

As highlighted in today’s Governor’s Wildfire Preparedness Week Proclamation, the theme highlights a central truth of today’s wildfire environment: protecting California depends on all of us. Firefighters work year-round to reduce risk, but community readiness begins at home — and the decisions Californians make now can dramatically improve the outcome of the fire season ahead.

“Dryer than average conditions across the state mean more fuel for potential wildfires,” said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler. “CAL FIRE and our emergency response partners across California are ready for wildfire—now it’s your turn. Sign up for emergency alerts, build a go bag, and make a plan with your family so you’re prepared to evacuate if needed. Taking these simple, practical steps helps protect you, your loved ones, and your community when it matters most.”

Californians are encouraged to use Wildfire Preparedness Week as a starting point to:

• Prepare and practice evacuation plans
• Sign up for local alerts
• Engage with community preparedness programs local to you
• Harden homes against embers
• Create defensible space, starting with Zone 0

For media materials and preparedness resources, visit CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Preparedness Week Media Resource Hub.

For guidance on wildfire preparedness, home hardening, and evacuation planning, and resources near you, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or explore CAL FIRE’s FirePLANNER tool at plan.readyforwildfire.org.