13 items you should have ready in an emergency kit in case of a wildfire

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13 items you should have ready in an emergency kit in case of a wildfire

Camp Fire evacuation

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a burning home as the Camp Fire moves through the area on November 9, 2018 in Magalia, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise and quickly charred 70,000 acres and destroyed numerous homes and businesses in a matter of hours.

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  • The Camp Fire has become the most destructive fire in California's history.
  • Two more California wildfires, the Hill and Woolsey Fires, have devastated several miles of land near Los Angeles.
  • These fires are part of a trend, as fire season in the western US is getting longer each year.
  • Most Americans do not have an emergency kit ready in case of a natural disaster.

Deadly fires have engulfed communities across California in recent days.

The Camp Fire in northern California has killed at least 29 people and destroyed more than 6,400 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in the state's history. Growing at the rate of nearly 80 football fields per minute, the fire burned the entire town of Paradise, which was home to 27,000 people.

Meanwhile, the Woolsey Fire near Los Angeles killed two people and forced more than 275,000 people to leave their homes, bringing the total death toll in the state to 31.

Another fire, the Hill Fire, has charred over 7 square miles near Los Angeles. The Hill Fire, which was 75% contained as of Monday morning, is one of more than 7,500 fires to have burned across California this year.

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These fires are part of a trend, as fire season in the western US is getting longer each year. Some fire experts say the concept of seasonal wildfires no longer applies, since dangerous fires can now happen anytime.

Read more: California wildfires just demolished an entire town and forced the Kardashians to evacuate. Here's why fire season is getting longer and stronger.

Last year, the US saw more than $300 billion in damage due to natural disasters. But according to a survey conducted by Farmers Insurance, 60% of Americans do not have an emergency plan for natural disasters. In a previous interview with Business Insider, Farmers Insurance head of claims catastrophe response Jarrod Murrieta stressed the importance of having an emergency kit ready in case of a natural disaster.

For those living in areas at risk of wildfires, the following items are recommended by CalFire:

  • At least three days of non-perishable food per person
  • Three gallons of water per person
  • A map with at least two evacuation paths marked on it
  • A first aid kit
  • A flashlight and extra batteries
  • Copies of important documents, such as your passport
  • Additional clothes
  • Hygiene supplies
  • Prescription medicine and glasses or contacts
  • A battery-powered radio
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Pet food if you have any animals at home
  • A phone charger
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