How to Use Your FORT™
Where the FORT Fits in Your Plan
The FORT™ is designed to support your wildfire safety strategy when conditions change quickly or evacuation becomes uncertain.
It is not a replacement for evacuation or preparedness, but one part of a layered approach that includes:
- Defensible space and home hardening
- Emergency planning and evacuation readiness
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- Onsite refuge when conditions require it
In fast-moving wildfire scenarios, having a clearly defined plan and knowing how to use your FORT can make critical decisions easier.
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Prepare Before Fire Conditions Escalate
Preparation is what makes the FORT effective.
As wildfire risk increases, you should:
- Review your family emergency plan
- Stage your Go Bags and communication devices
- Charge backup power sources
- Place items you cannot evacuate with inside the FORT
The FORT can also be used to protect valuables and essential items, helping you leave your property with greater peace of mind.
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When to Move to the FORT
Your first priority should always be to follow local evacuation guidance.
However, if:
- Evacuation routes become compromised
- Fire behavior changes rapidly
- Smoke, heat, or visibility makes travel unsafe
You may need to transition to your FORT.
Entering too early or too late can impact effectiveness, which is why familiarity and practice are essential.
Step-by-Step
Entering and Activating the FORT
A clear, practiced process ensures your FORT is ready to perform when timing and conditions matter most.
1. Gather Essentials
Bring Go Bags, communication devices, and any last-minute items.
2. Prepare the unit
If safe, briefly open the doors to release built-up heat from sun exposure.
3. Deploy emergency signaling
Activate your Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and place it outside when possible.
4. Enter and secure both doors
Close and seal both the exterior and interior doors fully.
5. Confirm pressure system readiness
Check that the pressure relief valve (PRV) is functioning properly.
6. Activate breathable air system
Open all air cylinder valves fully until airflow is audible.
7. Turn on internal systems
Activate lighting, communication devices, and any optional equipment.
What to Do While Inside
Once inside, the FORT is designed to maintain breathable air and safer interior conditions during a wildfire burnover.
While inside:
- Monitor fire conditions using onboard camera and temperature tools
- Stay informed through your phone, alerts, or communication systems
- Notify family or emergency contacts of your status
- Use supplies (water, food, first aid) as needed
The internal system is designed to maintain oxygen and carbon dioxide at safe levels for multiple occupants.
Stay Connected During an Emergency
The FORT includes built-in communication support systems to help you stay informed and connected.
- Cellular signal booster improves phone connectivity
- Wi-Fi access point supports internal communication
- System notifications alert when the FORT is activated
Maintaining communication helps ensure others know your location and status during an event.
Step-by-Step
Exiting the FORT Safely
A measured approach to exiting ensures you leave the FORT only when conditions truly allow it.
1. Confirm external conditions
Use the temperature probe — do not exit if above 115°F.
2. Check interior door temperature
Use the back of your hand to confirm it is safe to open.
3. Check exterior door temperature
If hot, use heat-resistant gloves.
4. Open slowly and assess surroundings
Confirm no active fire, smoke, or hazards.
5. Turn off air system
Close all cylinder valves once safe.
6. Exit carefully
Use secondary escape hatch if needed.
After the Event
After exiting the FORT, it must be serviced before it is ready for future use.
This includes:
- Recharging air cylinders
- Replacing used supplies
- Inspecting all systems
A certified inspection ensures the unit is fully operational and safe for future emergencies.
Practice Makes the Plan Work
Using the FORT should never feel unfamiliar.
Regularly:
- Conduct family fire drills
- Assign roles and responsibilities
- Practice moving supplies into the FORT
- Review alerts and evacuation routes
Routine preparation ensures faster, more confident decision-making when it matters most.
Using the FORT: FAQs
The FORT is designed to be used when wildfire conditions make evacuation unsafe or impossible. Your first priority should always be to follow local emergency guidance and evacuate early when instructed.
However, in rapidly changing conditions (such as blocked evacuation routes, extreme fire behavior, or reduced visibility)the FORT provides a protected, on-property refuge option. It is intended to be part of a broader wildfire safety plan that includes preparedness, mitigation, and evacuation readiness.
The FORT is designed to support occupants for approximately four hours during a wildfire event.
Its internal systems are engineered to maintain breathable air and manageable interior conditions for that duration, based on refuge chamber standards adapted from mining and tunneling safety systems.
Actual time inside will depend on external fire conditions, and occupants should remain inside until it is confirmed safe to exit.
Yes. The FORT includes a dedicated breathable air system designed to maintain safe oxygen and carbon dioxide levels while sealed.
- Oxygen levels are maintained between approximately 18.5% and 23%
- Carbon dioxide levels are controlled to remain at safe concentrations
This system also helps regulate internal temperature and creates positive pressure to reduce smoke infiltration.
Yes. In addition to life safety, the FORT can be used to store important or irreplaceable items that cannot be evacuated.
As part of your preparation, you can place valuables inside the unit ahead of a wildfire event. This allows you to focus on evacuation decisions without needing to transport everything off-site.
This dual purpose — protecting both people and property — is one of the ways the FORT supports a more complete wildfire preparedness strategy.
The FORT includes tools and procedures to help you assess conditions before exiting.
You should:
- Use the temperature probe to confirm external temperatures are safe (do not exit if above 115°F)
- Check door temperatures before opening
- Use the camera or visual checks to assess fire conditions outside
- Open the door slowly and cautiously
Only exit once fire activity has passed and surrounding conditions are safe.
Yes. Regular maintenance is required to ensure the FORT is fully operational when needed.
- Inspections must be completed every 6 months
- Air cylinders, supplies, and system components must be checked and maintained
- The unit must be serviced after any activation or wildfire exposure
Routine inspections also help ensure compliance with warranty requirements and confirm that all life-support systems are functioning properly.
Explore Wildfire Safety Resources
View AllHow Do Forest Fires Start: Top Causes (Human vs. Natural)
What Causes Wildfires: Top Causes, Trends, and How to Prevent Them
Fire Protection: How to Protect Valuables, Records & People
Emergency Preparedness Kit: All-in-One Guide
How To Prepare For A Wildfire: Step-by-Step Guide
Home Fire Shelter: How It Fits with Evacuation Plans and Preparedness
Fire Evacuation Checklist: What to Take, Where to Go, and When to Leave
Built for the moments that matter most
Configure your FORT™ to match your property, placement, and how you intend to use it.