Costs related to evacuation are certainly one reason that evacuation centers are established by the Red Cross and others. You don't have to incur large motel bills.

I had the option of utilizing a local shelter and decided not to, primarily because it was getting heavy smoke from the fire that triggered evacuations. There are lots of options - friends and relatives will certainly offer shelter; you may have campgrounds available for a nominal fee, etc. Best to plan ahead and weigh these alternatives before crunch time arrives.

Don't know what to say about an employer who would fire an evacuating worker. I would seriously recommend looking for another job - obviously, easier said than done.