What to Pack in Your Subaru for a Wildfire Evacuation

One of the most unfortunate things to plague the West Coast is wildfires, and while they’re unavoidable, preparation can make a serious difference in your experience. To make sure you’re set up for success in your evacuation, we at Spreen Subaru are here to discuss some precautionary measures that should be taken ahead of time. If you have any questions after combing through this overview, contact us! 

Essentials

Since wildfires seemingly appear out of nowhere and spread rapidly, it’s imperative that you set aside a packed bag of essentials. This can be placed in your trunk or in your garage for easy accessibility. To start, we recommend having extra keys to your Solterra or Forester so you aren’t wasting time rifling through your bag or flipping couch cushions. It’s also crucial to have your medications ready to go in the event you aren’t able to return home for an extended period of time. Cash, traveler’s checks, and credit cards are necessary for lodging and food, but it’s a good idea to include a three-day supply of non-perishables and water for your family and pets.

Irreplaceable Items

Losing things that hold sentimental value can feel incredibly disheartening. So, if you have enough time, we’ll go over some of the main things you should grab before making your escape in your Subaru. Computers and hard drives are important, since they can contain important files and banking information. While we recommend storing critical documents like your birth certificate, passport, and social security card in a fireproof safe, it’s also a good idea to make copies of them to store in your travel bag. Do you have cherished memories in the form of family photos? Bring those along too, but only if you have plenty of time and aren’t alerted to complete a quick evacuation. 

Escape Route

The last, and arguably most critical aspect of planning ahead is setting up two getaway routes for your family to review before leaving. This is because some roads might be closed down, so you want to be sure you have an alternate plan of action. For cars with navigation systems, make sure to get familiar with the map interface, and save your desired destination ahead of time. This way, you can hop in, click on the address, and go! Does your Crosstrek not have a navigation system? We strongly suggest purchasing a map to keep in your glovebox. Lastly, in the unfortunate event of an emergency, it’s imperative that you have a first aid kit. Fortunately, we have an accessories center that can supply you with that. All you have to do is drop by our location to speak with our team members!