Media Contact: Taylor Poisall
(559) 513-1656 | taylor.poisall2@redcross.org

SACRAMENTO (Oct. 14, 2026) – The American Red Cross urges residents across Northern California to prepare for critical fire weather conditions and take precautions to prepare their households.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning across the region. Much of the Sierra Range and foothills will be under Red Flag Warning from midnight tonight to 10 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2026.

RED CROSS PREPARES: Trained Red Cross disaster workers stand ready to provide shelter, meals and snacks and relief supplies if needed due to the current severe weather threats. Across California, shelter locations are on stand-by and disaster teams are on notice they may be needed.

HOW DO YOU GET READY TO EVACUATE? People should remain vigilant, be prepared to evacuate quickly and leave the area if officials tell them to evacuate.

• Plan in advance where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay. If you need help leaving or use public transportation, you may need extra time to evacuate.
• Don’t forget your pets. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them to stay behind.
• Take your emergency go-kit with three days of supplies like food, water and medicine. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.).
• Follow evacuation routes and don’t try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
• Check with loved ones and neighbors to see if they’ve left. You could save a life just by sending a text or making a call.

GATHER CRITICAL SUPPLIES FOR YOUR GO-KIT This bag carries important documents, extra medicine and other essentials and is easily accessible if you need to urgently run out the door. You should include:

• Backup battery or another way to charge your cell phone, as well as chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Pet supplies ─ leashes, carriers, food, water, bowls, litter, litterbox and photos of you with your pet in case you are separated
• Important documents ─ personal, financial and medical records (hard copies or securely backed up), medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies
• If possible, medications. Don’t forget eyeglasses, contact lenses and other health-related items, toothbrush and toothpaste, feminine hygiene supplies, contact-lens solution.
• Credit or debit cards and extra cash in case ATMs aren’t working
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• N95 or surgical masks
• Printed map of your area, in case GPS isn’t working or you have to look for an alternate route
• Whistle to signal for help
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries

WILDFIRE SAFETY 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.
• 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.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Help people affected by disasters like fires, floods and countless other crises by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. You can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country.

You can also help by becoming a volunteer. Volunteers comprise more than 90% of the Red Cross disaster workforce and make it possible for us to respond every year to an average of about 60,000 disasters in the U.S. — most of which are home fires. After large disasters, the Red Cross first depends on pre-trained volunteers to travel to the disaster zone to help people in need. Those who are interested in getting trained to volunteer should visit redcross.org/volunteer.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.