Wildfires out West: What you need to Know
09-21-2015
Author: Blog Editor in RV Tips & Education
By Stephanie Mayberry
As wildfires rage in several states in the west and northwest, travel and RVing can be precarious. Just this summer a single blaze in Southern California destroyed national forest acreage from Los Angeles, stretching all the way to Montana where it overtook Glacier National Park moving so quickly many were caught off guard. Vacationers were forced to leave their vehicles as they scrambled to escape. When it was all said and done, more than 30,000 acres were burned.
Typically, fire season for most areas fall during the summer and early fall months where intense heat and dry climates set the perfect stage for a blaze to occur. Various factors, however, are changing this standard and states like drought-ridden California are seeing an almost year round fire season. Other states are reporting that they are seeing their fire season start in the spring months, as early as April or May and as late as December or January.
If you aren’t sure how bad the wildfire situation really is in the U.S. right now, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary said in a statement on September 17, 2015, that totals spent just that last week fighting wildfires across North America totaled a record $243 million. THAT’S how bad it is.
Needless to say, wildfires can really put a damper on your travel plans. If you will be traveling to or through any of the states that are experiencing wildfires (then again, it seems we are still in the throes of wildfire season across the map) here are a few things that you need to know.
Checking Wildfire Conditions
The USDA Forest Service has an Active Fire Mapping Program that provides information on active wildfires in the U.S. including a map showing current large incidents that is updated daily. Each location is color coded and numbered for easy identification and assessment of threat level. You can also see the National Preparedness Level for National Fire Activity which includes a synopsis of contained large fires, uncontained large fires, new incidents, and other information. There is also regional fire information available. This is an excellent resource when traveling into or near affected areas.
Always check with the campground to make sure they are still in the clear, but check back often. Wildfires can cause a campground’s status to change in just moments.
Track Air Quality – Wildfire Smoke
If you are concerned about the air quality of areas where you will be traveling, NOAA has several maps, including those that show wildfire smoke. Just scroll down and select any of the surface smoke maps to see if your area is affected. AirNow also has a map that shows air quality of wildfire areas. You can choose from several overlays from the menu on the right for additional information.
Safety Tips for Wildfire Prevention – Do Your Part
You would think that wildfire safety was common sense, but there are things that you do every day that could contribute to a wildfire. When you are in an area that is under Wildfire watch or you are there during wildfire season, there are some things that you may not even think about that could cause a fire.
If you see an unattended fire or one that is out of control, report it to the rangers in the park, the local fire department, or call 911.
If you smoke, grind out your cigarette butt then douse it in water until it is cold and put it in the trash. Do the same with matches and other smoking items – and never, ever throw them out of the window of your vehicle.
Extinguish a campfire completely by pouring water in it then stirring it until the ashes are cold – and never leave a campfire unattended, even to sleep.
If you use lanterns or heaters that require fuel or flammable liquids, keep them away from sparks, your campfire, and your appliances. In fact, avoid spilling them altogether.
Wildfire Safety Tips – Don’t Take the Heat
If you are in an area that is evacuated, do not wait, leave immediately.
When you arrive at a campground or camping spot, make sure that you know the nearest evacuation route and map out how you will get there.
Make a checklist of important things you need in case you have to leave your RV (if the wildfire overtakes your area suddenly). It also doesn’t hurt to have a go bag just in case, packed with a change of clothes and emergency supplies.
If you do find yourself overtaken by a blaze, don’t try to outrun it. Find a body of water, like a river or pond. Crouch in it until the fire passes or until help arrives.
If you can, use a moist cloth to breathe through and try to get as close to the ground as you can – that is the freshest air. It is important to protect your lungs. More people die in fires due to smoke inhalation than because of the fire itself.
If you are not near any water, find a low area that is mostly dirt, cleared of vegetation. Get low or lie on the ground. Cover yourself with a wet blanket or clothing. Moist soil also works. Stay low until help arrives or until the fire passes.
Travel Advice for Venturing into Wildfire Areas
Many states are implementing total fire bans in state parks and campgrounds. Some allow camping stoves but it is best to check ahead, especially if you plan on using any type of fire at your campsite.
Each state DOT webpage has updates on road closures. Check these sites often. Wildfires can overtake areas quickly and a road may be open one day then closed the next.
While traveling, heed all restrictions and closures. It might be inconvenient, but your safety is worth it.
Traveling in affected areas can be unpleasant even if you miss the fires. Smoke can cause limited visibility and cause very poor air quality.
Traveling during fire season can get interesting since fires can pop up very unexpectedly. Stay flexible and always have a plan B, and C, and D, because you just never know.
Have you ever been caught in a wildfire? Have you ever been evacuated from an area due to wildfires? Share your experience in the comments!
Travel safe!
As wildfires rage in several states in the west and northwest, travel and RVing can be precarious. Just this summer a single blaze in Southern California destroyed national forest acreage from Los Angeles, stretching all the way to Montana where it overtook Glacier National Park moving so quickly many were caught off guard. Vacationers were forced to leave their vehicles as they scrambled to escape. When it was all said and done, more than 30,000 acres were burned.
Typically, fire season for most areas fall during the summer and early fall months where intense heat and dry climates set the perfect stage for a blaze to occur. Various factors, however, are changing this standard and states like drought-ridden California are seeing an almost year round fire season. Other states are reporting that they are seeing their fire season start in the spring months, as early as April or May and as late as December or January.
If you aren’t sure how bad the wildfire situation really is in the U.S. right now, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary said in a statement on September 17, 2015, that totals spent just that last week fighting wildfires across North America totaled a record $243 million. THAT’S how bad it is.
Needless to say, wildfires can really put a damper on your travel plans. If you will be traveling to or through any of the states that are experiencing wildfires (then again, it seems we are still in the throes of wildfire season across the map) here are a few things that you need to know.
Checking Wildfire Conditions
The USDA Forest Service has an Active Fire Mapping Program that provides information on active wildfires in the U.S. including a map showing current large incidents that is updated daily. Each location is color coded and numbered for easy identification and assessment of threat level. You can also see the National Preparedness Level for National Fire Activity which includes a synopsis of contained large fires, uncontained large fires, new incidents, and other information. There is also regional fire information available. This is an excellent resource when traveling into or near affected areas.
Always check with the campground to make sure they are still in the clear, but check back often. Wildfires can cause a campground’s status to change in just moments.
Track Air Quality – Wildfire Smoke
If you are concerned about the air quality of areas where you will be traveling, NOAA has several maps, including those that show wildfire smoke. Just scroll down and select any of the surface smoke maps to see if your area is affected. AirNow also has a map that shows air quality of wildfire areas. You can choose from several overlays from the menu on the right for additional information.
Safety Tips for Wildfire Prevention – Do Your Part
You would think that wildfire safety was common sense, but there are things that you do every day that could contribute to a wildfire. When you are in an area that is under Wildfire watch or you are there during wildfire season, there are some things that you may not even think about that could cause a fire.
If you see an unattended fire or one that is out of control, report it to the rangers in the park, the local fire department, or call 911.
If you smoke, grind out your cigarette butt then douse it in water until it is cold and put it in the trash. Do the same with matches and other smoking items – and never, ever throw them out of the window of your vehicle.
Extinguish a campfire completely by pouring water in it then stirring it until the ashes are cold – and never leave a campfire unattended, even to sleep.
If you use lanterns or heaters that require fuel or flammable liquids, keep them away from sparks, your campfire, and your appliances. In fact, avoid spilling them altogether.
Wildfire Safety Tips – Don’t Take the Heat
If you are in an area that is evacuated, do not wait, leave immediately.
When you arrive at a campground or camping spot, make sure that you know the nearest evacuation route and map out how you will get there.
Make a checklist of important things you need in case you have to leave your RV (if the wildfire overtakes your area suddenly). It also doesn’t hurt to have a go bag just in case, packed with a change of clothes and emergency supplies.
If you do find yourself overtaken by a blaze, don’t try to outrun it. Find a body of water, like a river or pond. Crouch in it until the fire passes or until help arrives.
If you can, use a moist cloth to breathe through and try to get as close to the ground as you can – that is the freshest air. It is important to protect your lungs. More people die in fires due to smoke inhalation than because of the fire itself.
If you are not near any water, find a low area that is mostly dirt, cleared of vegetation. Get low or lie on the ground. Cover yourself with a wet blanket or clothing. Moist soil also works. Stay low until help arrives or until the fire passes.
Travel Advice for Venturing into Wildfire Areas
Many states are implementing total fire bans in state parks and campgrounds. Some allow camping stoves but it is best to check ahead, especially if you plan on using any type of fire at your campsite.
Each state DOT webpage has updates on road closures. Check these sites often. Wildfires can overtake areas quickly and a road may be open one day then closed the next.
While traveling, heed all restrictions and closures. It might be inconvenient, but your safety is worth it.
Traveling in affected areas can be unpleasant even if you miss the fires. Smoke can cause limited visibility and cause very poor air quality.
Traveling during fire season can get interesting since fires can pop up very unexpectedly. Stay flexible and always have a plan B, and C, and D, because you just never know.
Have you ever been caught in a wildfire? Have you ever been evacuated from an area due to wildfires? Share your experience in the comments!
Travel safe!
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Related Tags:Travel AdviceTravel Safety
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