Planning a trip to the Golden State during wildfire season requires extra preparation to ensure your vacation remains both safe and enjoyable. California’s spectacular landscapes and attractions remain accessible year-round, but wildfire risks demand awareness and flexibility. These essential tips will help you navigate California’s beauty while staying informed about potential hazards during fire season.
1. Smoke Can Travel Hundreds of Miles
Wildfire smoke doesn’t stay put. Even if you’re planning to visit San Francisco or Monterey, smoke from fires burning 200+ miles away in the Sierra Nevada mountains can dramatically impact your experience. These microscopic particles create hazy skies that block those picture-perfect views and pose serious health risks.
Travelers with respiratory conditions, heart disease, children, and older adults face the greatest danger from poor air quality. The tiny PM2.5 particles in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream.
Make checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) through AirNow.gov or the PurpleAir app part of your daily routine while visiting. When AQI exceeds 100, consider moving indoor activities or wearing an N95 mask outdoors.
2. Fire Season Lasts Longer Than You Think
Climate change has dramatically extended California’s wildfire threats beyond traditional summer months. The state now experiences what scientists call “hydroclimate whiplash” – extreme swings between wet winters and bone-dry summers that create perfect fire conditions.
Many visitors assume fire season runs June through August, but dangerous conditions often persist from May through November, with some fires even occurring during winter months. The most intense period typically hits between August and October when hot, dry Santa Ana and Diablo winds can rapidly spread flames.
Before booking your trip, research historical fire patterns for your specific destinations. Areas like Southern California and the Sierra Nevada foothills face different timing and severity of fire risks.
3. Set Up Multiple Information Sources
Don’t rely on just one source for wildfire updates. Download the CAL FIRE app for official incident information directly from California’s fire agency. The app provides real-time fire perimeters, evacuation zones, and containment percentages.
Bookmark InciWeb (inciweb.nwcg.gov) for comprehensive wildfire information across all federal and state agencies. Local county emergency services often provide the most timely evacuation notices through their websites and social media channels.
The California Smoke Spotter app combines fire location data with air quality readings for a complete picture. Sign up for emergency alerts in counties you’ll be visiting by texting your zip code to 888777 for Nixle alerts or visiting calalerts.org to register for wireless emergency notifications.
4. Pack an Emergency Supply Kit
The rental car counter isn’t the place to realize you’ve forgotten essential safety supplies. Create a compact emergency kit that includes N95 masks (regular cloth masks won’t protect against smoke particles), a flashlight with extra batteries, and a portable phone charger that works without electricity.
Include a small first-aid kit, physical map of the area (cell service often fails during emergencies), any prescription medications, and enough food and water for 24 hours. If traveling with pets, pack their essentials too.
Store important travel documents like insurance information, identification, and accommodation details in a waterproof container or digitally in an accessible cloud account. Keep this kit easily accessible in your vehicle or accommodation, not buried deep in luggage.
5. Create Flexible Travel Plans
Rigidly scheduled California road trips can quickly unravel during wildfire season. Road closures happen suddenly – Interstate 80 and Highway 50, major routes to Lake Tahoe, have both closed multiple times in recent years due to fires. Always have alternative routes mapped out and download offline maps before departing.
Book accommodations with flexible cancellation policies whenever possible. Many hotels and vacation rentals now offer fire-related exceptions to their standard policies, but read the fine print carefully.
Consider travel insurance that specifically covers natural disasters including wildfires. Standard policies often exclude these events as “foreseeable” during California’s fire season. Keep extra cash on hand for unexpected expenses, as power outages can affect ATMs and credit card processing.
6. Know Evacuation Procedures
When evacuation orders come, minutes matter. If officials issue an evacuation warning or order for your area, leave immediately – don’t wait to see smoke or flames. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and sturdy closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops) to protect against ash and embers.
Before starting your vehicle, check for debris on the hood and close all windows and vents to prevent smoke from entering. Follow official evacuation routes even if your GPS suggests shortcuts, as these routes are specifically chosen to manage traffic flow and avoid fire danger.
Never try to return to your accommodation to retrieve forgotten items during an active evacuation. If you become trapped by fire while driving, park in an area clear of vegetation, close all windows and vents, cover yourself with a blanket, and lie on the vehicle floor.
7. Avoid Fire-Prone Activities
The devastating 2018 Carr Fire, which destroyed over 1,000 homes near Redding, started from something seemingly innocent – a vehicle tire blowout creating sparks. As a visitor, your actions matter tremendously in preventing new ignitions.
If camping, only build fires in designated fire rings when restrictions allow, and always keep a water source nearby. Never leave a campfire unattended, and ensure it’s completely extinguished before departing. During high fire danger, even gas stoves may be prohibited in some areas.
Avoid using equipment that can create sparks, like chainsaws or metal-bladed trimmers, around dry vegetation. If smoking, only do so in cleared areas, fully extinguish cigarettes in sand or water (not vegetation), and never throw butts from vehicles – use your car ashtray.
8. Practice Vehicle Safety
Your vehicle can be both your escape route and a potential fire hazard. Poorly maintained vehicles have sparked numerous California wildfires. Before your trip, ensure your vehicle is in good working order with no dragging parts that could create sparks.
Carry a shovel, bucket, and portable fire extinguisher in your vehicle during your California adventure. These tools could help you extinguish a small fire before it spreads. Never park on dry grass or brush, as your vehicle’s hot exhaust system can ignite vegetation within minutes.
Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times during wildfire season. Gas stations may close during power shutoffs, which are increasingly common preventative measures during high fire danger weather. If renting an RV or trailer, learn proper techniques for securing chains to prevent them from dragging and creating sparks.
9. Stay Alert to Your Surroundings
Developing situational awareness could save your life during unexpected fire behavior. While hiking or exploring, periodically scan the horizon for smoke columns and note their direction. Pay attention to sudden wildlife movements – animals often detect danger before humans do.
Assess wind conditions throughout the day. Strong, erratic winds can rapidly change a fire’s direction and speed. Always identify multiple escape routes and potential safety zones like large bodies of water, rocky areas with minimal vegetation, or recently burned areas.
Trust your instincts. If you smell smoke but can’t see the source, or if the sky suddenly darkens with an unusual orange glow, it’s time to leave. Know the locations of visitor centers, ranger stations, or other structures that might provide temporary shelter if evacuation routes become compromised.
10. Protect Your Respiratory Health
The invisible danger of wildfire smoke requires proactive health measures. N95 or KN95 masks filter out 95% of harmful particles and should be your go-to protection during smoky conditions. Surgical masks and cloth face coverings offer minimal protection against wildfire smoke.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as dry air and smoke can cause dehydration. Consider bringing portable air purifiers with HEPA filters for your accommodation, especially for extended stays. Many California hotels now offer these as amenities during fire season.
Limit outdoor exercise during poor air quality days, particularly in the afternoon when pollution typically peaks. If you experience symptoms like persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue, seek medical attention promptly. Wildfire smoke exposure can trigger asthma attacks and worsen existing heart conditions even in otherwise healthy people.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
