Community Wildfire Evacuation Survey

Preparing for evacuations is essential for community safety as wildfires continue to intensify across California. The Community Wildfire Evacuation Survey aims to assess evacuation readiness, identify barriers, and improve emergency response planning. Wildfires are an increasing threat, fueled in part by climate change, which has led to hotter and drier conditions across the state. Since the 1970s, the annual area burned by wildfires in the Western United States has increased by over 1,000%, and fire seasons are now nearly three months longer than they were in the 20th century. Your feedback will contribute to shaping more effective evacuation routes, temporary evacuation points, and community preparedness resources.

Your response is confidential and will help emergency planners design safer and more efficient evacuation strategies. The survey covers:

1. Evacuation routes and potential traffic congestion
2. Emergency alerts and community preparedness programs
3. Access to transportation and special evacuation needs
4. Temporary shelter options if evacuation isn’t possible

Click below to participate:
Take the Survey Now

For questions contact us at emergencyplanning@oaklandca.gov 

The results from this survey will guide emergency services in:

• Strengthening evacuation route planning
• Addressing transportation challenges for vulnerable populations
• Ensuring emergency alerts and preparedness resources reach everyone
• Improving temporary shelter options in case of emergency

We’ll share updates on how your input is helping shape the local wildfire safety plan!

• Sign up for emergency alerts through AC Alerts
• Know your evacuation zone at Genasys Protect
• Find practical resources at Oakland Fire Safe Council
• Know your risks with the City of Oakland Hazard Mapper
• Participate in community drills – Sign up for emergency preparedness training programs like CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and PEP (Personal Emergency Preparedness)

For questions or more information, contact emergencyplanning@oaklandca.gov

• Follow us on social media for updates:
  • Facebook: Oakland Fire Department
  • Twitter/X: @OaklandFireCA
  • Instagram: @OaklandFireCA

Evacuation planning is very important for saving lives in Oakland’s wildfire-prone areas. The 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm exposed the challenges of evacuating a city with steep terrain, narrow streets, and limited exit routes. Over 3,000 homes were destroyed, and 25 lives were claimed. Today, this risk is amplified by climate change, which has intensified heat and drought, making wildfires more frequent, severe, and unpredictable.

Climate models project longer fire seasons and more extreme weather conditions that dry out vegetation and fuel faster-spreading fires. Over 13% of Oakland's population lives in high or very-high wildfire hazard zones, and roughly 35% of the city's critical facilities are located in wildfire risk areas—many of them older, wood-frame buildings that are especially vulnerable.

Despite these risks, many residents remain unaware of safe evacuation routes or how to receive timely emergency alerts. Traffic bottlenecks, blocked roads, and limited public transportation can turn minutes into life-or-death decisions. Addressing these challenges requires improving evacuation planning, expanding community outreach, and reducing structural vulnerability across wildfire zones.

Who should take this survey?

Anyone living in wildfire-prone areas who wants to improve local evacuation plans.

How long does the survey take?

Approximately 5-10 minutes.

How will my information be used?

All responses are confidential and will be used only for emergency planning.