There is a wildfire or wildfire smoke near us

What is happening

Step by step

1. 1

   Phase 1

   Smoke in the air, no evacuation yet

   • Follow the warning app, radio and official advice – including on air quality.
   • Close windows and doors, switch ventilation off or to recirculation; if you have one, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
   • Avoid adding smoke indoors: no candles, no frying, no smoking.
   • Avoid exertion outdoors; outside, only a well-fitting FFP2/N95 mask helps against fine particles – cloth masks do not.
2. 2

   Phase 2

   Fire in the region: get ready

   • Put your go bag, documents, medication, glasses, chargers and pet supplies in the car or by the door.
   • Fill up or charge the car and park it so you can drive straight off; keep the keys in a fixed place.
   • Move flammable things away from the house: garden furniture, cushions, firewood, tarps, bins.
   • Agree a route and meeting point, inform your contact person; know at least one alternative route.
   • Have long clothing made of cotton or wool and sturdy shoes ready – synthetic fibres can melt in heat.
3. 3

   Phase 3

   Evacuation or immediate threat

   • Leave at once – do not wait for the next announcement if you feel threatened.
   • Close windows and doors but do not lock them; leave lights on so firefighters can see the house in the smoke.
   • Use the routes named by the authorities, respect closures and do not go back to fetch belongings.
   • In the car: lights on, windows closed, ventilation on recirculation, drive slowly and watch for emergency vehicles, pedestrians and animals.
   • If you are outdoors and the fire is approaching: move away from it, not uphill ahead of it, not into gullies – call the emergency number and give your location.
4. 4

   Phase 4

   Returning after the fire

   • Only return when the authorities clear the area.
   • Watch for smouldering spots, trees that may fall, damaged lines and collapsed floors – fires can flare up again days later.
   • Do not stir up ash and fire debris; wear gloves, long clothing and an FFP2/N95 mask when cleaning up.
   • Follow drinking-water advisories; throw away food exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water.
   • Document damage before cleaning up.

What to watch out for

• Flying embers

  Glowing particles can land far ahead of the fire front and ignite gutters full of leaves, wooden decks, hedges or open windows. That is why the area around the house matters, not just the distance to the forest.

• Terrain and wind

  Fire runs faster uphill, and a change of wind can switch its direction suddenly. Never seek shelter above a fire on a slope, and avoid gullies or narrow valleys.

• Smoke on the road

  In smoke, visibility drops abruptly, and obstacles, stranded vehicles or people appear late. Do not knowingly drive into dense smoke; closures exist for a reason.

• Health in smoke

  Coughing, stinging eyes and headaches are common. Breathing difficulty, chest pain or confusion are an emergency – call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).

• False security behind the garden hose

  A fire brings heat, smoke and embers at the same time, and water pressure or power can fail. Defending house and garden is no alternative to evacuating in time.

• Dangers after the fire

  Burnt trees can fall without warning, smouldering spots in the ground are often invisible, and ash can contain harmful substances. After heavy rain, burnt slopes can produce mudflows and debris flows.

Special consideration

People with heart or lung conditions

Smoke is especially hard on them. Keep medication and aids within reach, discuss treatment plans with a doctor in advance and, when smoke is forecast, leave earlier than others or go somewhere with clean air.

Pets and livestock

Animals sense smoke early and often hide. So catch them and put them in carriers as soon as the warning comes. Horses and livestock need a plan made long before any fire.