More than 7.5 million acres in the United States were burned by 66,255 wildfires in 2022, according to the NOAA. These numbers are not far off the 2001-2020 average of about 7 million acres burned and 68,707 wildfires, and the current record for most acres burned by wildfires is still held by 2020, in which more than 10.2 million acres burned. In 2022, these wildfires caused an estimated $3.2 billion of damage to property in the U.S. and killed 17 people. If you find yourself in the midst of a wildfire emergency, the Department of Homeland Security recommends the following:

• Pay attention to any emergency alerts you receive, as they may contain important information and instructions.
• Evacuate immediately if ordered to by authorities.
• It may be difficult for emergency personnel to respond quickly (or at all), but you should still call 9-1-1 and provide your location if you find yourself trapped. Turn on lights around the home to help rescuers locate you.
• Use an N95 mask to prevent smoke inhalation, if possible.

In the slideshow above, we'll look at tips to prepare for wildfires ahead of time, courtesy of Ready.gov.

Related:

• Braving the elements: Manage rising peril risk with science
• 10 U.S. cities with the highest home fire risk
• Spring-cleaning away household fire hazards