Wildfire Resources

Immediate Mental Health & Disaster Crisis Support

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

                Phone / Text: 1-800-985-5990 (Spanish: Press "2" or text "Hablanos") 

               Website: samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline 

                Details: Free, confidential, 24/7 disaster trauma counseling and crisis intervention.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

              Phone / Text: 988

              Website: 988lifeline.org

               Details: 24/7 statewide mental health and behavioral health crisis support.

Washington Teen Link

                Phone / Text: 1-866-833-6546 (1-866-TEENLINK)

                Website: teenlink.org

                Details: Statewide peer-to-peer helpline for youth navigating disaster distress, trauma, and anxiety.

American Red Cross (Northwest Region)

24/7 Main Line: 1-800-733-2767 (1-800-RED-CROSS) 

Regional Headquarters (Seattle): (206) 323-2345 

Web Resources:

Local WA Help & Shelters:redcross.org/local/washington/get-help.html

National Shelter Finder: redcross.org/get-help

Emotional Recovery Guides: redcross.org/recovering-emotionally

Locate Separated Family: redcross.org/contact-and-locate-loved-ones

Local Washington Chapter Phone Lines:

Greater Inland Northwest (Spokane & Eastern WA): (509) 326-3330 

Central & Southeastern WA (Kennewick / Tri-Cities / Wenatchee): (509) 783-6195 

South Puget Sound & Olympics (Tacoma / South Sound / Coast): (253) 474-0400 

Northwest Washington (Everett / Snohomish / Skagit / Whatcom): (425) 252-4103 

Logistical Aid, Shelter & Financial Recovery

Washington 211

Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274 | Text: "211WAOD" to 898211

Website: wa211.org

Details: Primary statewide resource for real-time evacuation shelter locations, food banks, clothing drives, and localized relief funds.

FEMA Helpline

Phone: 1-800-621-3362

Website: disasterassistance.gov

Details: Federal disaster relief, temporary housing funds, and uninsured property loss claims (active when a federal disaster declaration is issued).

Livestock, Pets & Agricultural Support

Washington Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) Emergency Management

Phone: (360) 902-1800

Website: agr.wa.gov

Details: Assistance for farmers and ranchers, emergency animal feed coordination, and livestock health guidance.

Emergency Pet & Livestock Evacuation

Phone: Dial 2-1-1

Details: Connects animal owners to open local fairgrounds, humane society disaster shelters, and emergency boarding options across Washington.

Smoke & Air Quality Health Alerts

WA Dept. of Ecology Burn & Air Quality Line

Phone: 1-866-211-6284

Website: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Details: Real-time wildfire smoke tracking, health advisories, and clean air guidance across Washington State.

The most reliable mobile apps for real-time wildfire tracking, official evacuation warnings, and emergency watch notifications, particularly in Washington and Western states:

1. Real-Time Wildfire Tracking & Situational Awareness

Watch Duty (iOS & Android | Free) 

Best For: Fast, early real-time wildfire tracking and push notifications. 

Features: Managed by a non-profit network of active/retired firefighters and dispatchers who monitor emergency radio frequencies 24/7. Provides live fire perimeters, air tanker flight paths, radio scanner updates, and containment status before official press releases go out. 

Fires: Wildfire News and Atlas(iOS | Free with optional upgrades)

Best For: 3D mapping and satellite heat tracking.

Features: Integrates satellite fire-detection data (NASA FIRMS, NOAA), fire weather watches, active fire perimeters, and live 3D tracking of firefighting aircraft. Includes offline topographic maps for areas with lost cell service. 

2. Official Evacuation & All-Hazard Alerts

Genasys Protect (iOS & Android | Free) 

Best For: Official, zone-specific evacuation orders and route updates. 

Features: Partnered directly with municipal public safety and sheriff's departments across Washington and neighboring states. Search your specific street address to see your current evacuation zone status (Ready, Set, Go / Level 1, 2, 3) and recommended evacuation routes. 

FEMA App (iOS & Android | Free)

Best For: Federal disaster alerts and shelter tracking. 

Features: Real-time severe weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service. Locates nearby emergency shelters, disaster recovery centers, and provides customizable emergency preparation checklists. 

Red Cross Emergency App (iOS & Android | Free)

Best For: General disaster alerts and emergency safety protocols. 

Features: All-hazards emergency monitoring (wildfires, floods, red flag warnings), active shelter locators, and built-in first-aid guidance for disaster scenarios. 

3. Smoke & Air Quality Monitoring

AirNow (iOS & Android | Free)

Best For: EPA-backed air quality indexes and smoke plume tracking. 

Features: Interactive AQI maps combining regulatory monitors and PurpleAir sensors to show real-time particulate matter levels, smoke drift projections, and health advisories.

4. Local County & City Alert Networks

Everbridge / CodeRED (iOS & Android | Free)

Best For: Local government mass notification systems.

Features: Many Washington counties (such as King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima) use Everbridge or CodeRED to push localized emergency reverse-911 warnings, road closures, and immediate mandatory evacuation orders.

Tip for Set Up: Download Watch Duty alongside Genasys Protect. Watch Duty alerts you to fire activity and movement, while Genasys Protect provides official address-level evacuation commands from local law enforcement. Ensure push notifications and location services are set to Always Allow. 

Disclaimer & Notice of AI-Generated Content

Notice: The resource lists, contact numbers, and disaster information provided on this page were compiled with the assistance of Google Gemini, an artificial intelligence model. While this information is regularly updated and reviewed for quality, details regarding emergency operations, shelter locations, helpline numbers, and local resources can change rapidly during active wildfire events.

Limitations on Accuracy & Verification: Artificial intelligence systems may occasionally generate outdated or inaccurate information. Users should independently verify critical details—such as open shelter addresses, active evacuation zones, and phone numbers—directly with official government portals, local law enforcement, or the primary responding agencies (e.g., Washington 211, FEMA, or the American Red Cross).

Emergency Use: This page is intended strictly for general informational purposes and does not replace official emergency communications or professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is in immediate physical danger, dial 911 immediately.