A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety.

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. 

Millions of people in the center of the country are facing the possibility of dangerous wildfires through Wednesday as strong winds, warm temperatures and very dry vegetation are leading to an extremely critical fire weather warning over an area stretching from Texas to the Canadian border.

The National Weather Service urges everyone to use caution with any potential sources that could ignite fires. Winds could gust to 70 mph and any fire could spread very quickly and be difficult to contain.

The American Red Cross has disaster workers standing by to respond if needed and offers steps people can take to help them stay safe should a fire threaten their neighborhood.

A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all instructions from officials.

• If you feel you’re in danger, leave immediately. You might not get an official notice to evacuate.
• Know where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app here for real-time alerts, expert advice in English and Spanish, and available disaster shelter and support locations.
• If you have a car, ensure the gas tank is full and park it facing the direction of your evacuation route.
• Keep your pets in one room, so you can find them quickly if you need to evacuate.
• Monitor local weather and fires near you. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government. Stay up to date on evacuation routes and road closures that could impact your plans.
• Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
• To help keep your indoor air clean, don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

Get ready now in case you have to evacuate. Remain vigilant and be alert for any new warnings for your community.

• If you need to leave your home, think about where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay and what you’ll take with you. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans.
• Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you.
• Monitor local weather and news reports even if the power goes out. Have a backup battery or another way to charge your cell phone, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• Gather critical supplies — like food, water and medicine — and organize them into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can carry with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water and a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies.
• If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter, litterbox and photos of you with your pet in case you’re separated. If you have young children, include diapers, wipes and formula.
• Keep your personal, financial and medical records in a safe place that’s easy to access (hard copies or securely backed up). Consider keeping a list of your medications and dosages on a small card to carry with you.

Strong winds can lead to power outages. If the power goes out, turn off and unplug everything to avoid power surges. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns — not candles — to help avoid fires.
• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out, and roads could be congested.
• Decide if you need to leave if your home is too hot or cold, or if you have medical devices that need power.
• Check with loved ones and neighbors to see if they need help.
• Food safety: To prevent illness, keep food cold. When in doubt, throw it out. Eat fresh, perishable foods first. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help keep food cold. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Measure the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out perishable food that has been warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Generator safety: If you’re using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions. Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this type of equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

You can visit here for more information about wildfire safety.