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Essential Gear for an Emergency Kit—for Cars or Go-Bags
As wildfire season intensifies across the western US in 2026, with smoke drifting from Canada into the Midwest and Northeast, disaster-preparedness experts are urging families to assemble emergency kits well in advance. WIRED's guide, developed with input from Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness and the National Weather Service, distinguishes between two scenarios: needing a portable "go bag" to evacuate quickly, and needing to shelter in place without power or running water for days at a time.
The guide recommends a three-day supply of water, purification tablets or filters, a torch and batteries for evacuation bags, alongside power banks for extended outages. It also covers air purifiers and masks for wildfire smoke, air quality monitors, first-aid supplies, digital document backups, radios, and creating a defensible perimeter around homes in fire-prone areas. The article was updated in July 2026 with new wildfire-specific advice, including guidance from University of Oregon wildfire experts and updated product recommendations for air quality monitoring and filtration.
In short
- Experts recommend assembling emergency kits ahead of wildfire and disaster season
- Guide distinguishes "go bag" evacuation kits from shelter-in-place supplies
- Covers water, power banks, air filters, first aid and document backups
Explained simply
North America is experiencing an intensifying wildfire season in 2026, with smoke from Canadian wildfires spreading into the Midwest and Northeast regions. Disaster-preparedness experts are urging families to assemble emergency kits now, before wildfires and their effects pose direct threats to their communities.
Emergency preparation must account for different scenarios: households may need to evacuate quickly with minimal belongings in a portable bag, or shelter at home for days without power or running water. Essential items include water and purification supplies, torches and batteries, power banks, masks and air filters for smoke protection, first-aid supplies and digitally backed-up copies of important documents.
This guidance is developed with input from disaster-preparedness specialists including Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, the National Weather Service and University of Oregon wildfire experts. The recommendations address both immediate evacuation scenarios and longer-term sheltering situations families may face during extended fire seasons.