Particularly for those of us who hike in the West, wildfire is something we need to keep front of mind when mapping out a trip in the backcountry. Yes, we can plan trips for earlier in summer and during shoulder seasons when it makes sense, but smoke season has also been lasting longer in recent years, well into fall. To be able to enjoy the outdoors while keeping safe during the wildfire months, we have to take some precautions.

Remember that prevention is always the first step when it comes to wildfire—both in terms of ensuring we don’t start them and keeping ourselves out of harm’s way. Never put yourself and search and rescue teams in unnecessary danger because you didn’t plan ahead for wildfires or didn’t want to change your plans because of them. That said, here are seven tips that can help you plan for safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures during wildfire season.

1. Check Online Maps for Air Quality and Active Fires

There are several online mapping tools that can help pinpoint the locations of active fires, as well as what the air quality is like near different hiking trails. Remember that even if you’re hiking 100 miles away from a wildfire, depending on the winds, your trip may be socked in with smoke. 

An air quality index above 100 is likely going to be harmful for individuals with asthma or other health conditions, while AQI above 150 is harmful for everyone. Hiking in the smoke is not very enjoyable, can be detrimental to your health, and dampens the views around you. It’s worth planning for a different trip if your route looks like it’s in the thick of wildfire smoke.

Here are a few useful fire and smoke tracking tools to employ when mapping your route:

• Google Maps: Google has added a couple features to its maps, which you can toggle on by going to the “layers” option. Selecting “Wildfires” layers points onto the map noting where all active fires are. If you click on one, it provides data on its level of containment and other key information. Selecting “Air Quality” layers a color-coded AQI onto the map to show where the most unhealthy areas are in the current moment.
• Gaia GPS: If you use Gaia GPS, the tool has add-on features for its maps for wildfires. It displays current fires, satellite-detected heat layers, and even locations of historic fires, which can help for staying safe when hiking through past burns. 
• Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA): The PCTA’s trail map has a variety of fire layers you can toggle on and off to see fire reports, thermal hotspots, AQI, and more, both along the trail and throughout the Mountain West. 
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA offers state-level maps that monitor smoke throughout the day. Use the surface smoke option to see this information.
• AirNow.gov: This project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows AQI by region, including a wildfire and smoke tracker.
• BlueSky Canada: This is a map of all the fires across North America, as well as smoke forecasts for up to two days out. 
• PurpleAir: This map offers hyper-local, real-time air quality data collected and reported by participating citizen scientists.
• Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: This is a web-based interactive map that is updated daily with current fire perimeters and locations in the Northwest, and which also has historical fire data. It’s easier to use on desktop computers rather than mobile.

2. Contact Local Land Managers for Current Conditions

In addition to checking available online tools and maps for current fire and smoke activity, call the local land management office for where you plan to hike or backpack. This could be a state or county park, national park, the Bureau of Land Management, a national forest station, or whichever agency is responsible for where you’ll be recreating. These individuals will be able to give you the most current information about fires and trail closures, as well as details on past fires that may have made some trails unsafe through burned areas.  

3. Create Multiple Backup Plans

Wildfires and smoke conditions can change daily during peak dry season. While you may have your heart set on a particular route or park, it’s crucial to have backup plans during wildfire season. In fact, you may want to have a backup plan for your backup plan. Use wildfire season to practice being flexible and explore new places that you otherwise may not have prioritized.

This season, once the Cascades in Oregon became too overrun with smoke and rapidly changing conditions, a friend and I opted to explore the Coast Range instead. We ended up loving the lichen-filled forests and got a chance to stop for lattes by the beach on the way home. When Lassen got consumed by the Park Fire, I pivoted to spend time in the coastal redwoods. Plan to have wilderness be your goal, but allow lots of grace for where that physically takes place during wildfire season.

If you want to plan a trip that will be more of a sure thing, consider traveling to damper climates in the eastern U.S. for longer backpacking trips, such as a trek along the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies.

4. Consider Your Gear Choices

While you don’t need to pack like a wildland firefighter during wildfire season, you may want to consider a few items you may not carry with you at other points during the season. If you’re particularly sensitive to air quality, you may want to bring a face mask. Also remember any inhalers or medications you may need during seasons where AQI could be impacted.

Additionally, since conditions can change quickly during wildfire season, it’s helpful to have means for emergency communications or updates. Consider packing a personal locator beacon, signaling mirror, or weather alert radio to keep updated on conditions and assist with evacuation in case of an emergency. 

5. Learn How to Read Smoke

Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, you may encounter smoke during wildfire season while hiking. It’s important to understand what different colors and shapes of smoke mean so you can assess dangers to your health and general safety. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Smoke with a yellow, orange, or red hue is likely unhealthy for prolonged periods of time. You may want to leave if you encounter this. If you think it will be temporary, you can rest when the air quality is like this and save your hiking for clearer times.
• White smoke often corresponds to fast-burning fires with finer fuels. This could be a grass fire, which typically burns for a shorter period of time.
• Dark smoke is a sign of fire from thicker brush or trees. These fires last longer and can spread farther through embers carried by wind. These can even cross rivers or other natural fire boundaries.
• Larger smoke columns mean larger fires. If you notice that a column of smoke is getting larger, leave the area. You can tell which way the fire is moving by looking at which direction the smoke column bends. If you can, evacuate in an opposing direction of the column.

6. Know How to Respond to Unexpected Flames

Hopefully, you do not encounter flames while hiking. However, if conditions change suddenly and you see flames, move in the opposite direction from where it’s traveling. Remember to look at the bend in the smoke column and know that fires travel about as fast as the wind. If it’s a low wind day, you don’t need to take off running—move with purpose in a safe direction.

Keep in mind that fire travels uphill faster than downhill. If you can, head downhill and look for flat areas with little vegetation, preferably near a water source. Already burned areas also have less fuel for fires and are less likely to be in the current path of a fire, so you may be able to safely travel over them. However, look for and avoid hotspots, which will look like gray or white smoldering sections within a blackened area. Note that these areas can melt the soles on your shoes, so especially if you’re not wearing thick-soled boots, be careful where you step. When in these areas, also be mindful of burned tree snags that could fall.

It’s also helpful before you head out to look at what the fire danger is for that time. Check for red flag warnings, meaning there’s low humidity and high risk for fires to start if an ignition is present. If you notice there’s dry lightning occurring when you’re out on a day with higher fire risk, you may want to leave before a fire potentially ignites.

7. Work to Prevent Wildfires

It is estimated that 85–90% of wildfires are started by humans. Prevention must be a part of every hiker’s plan when recreating during wildfire season. While in the outdoors, keep these tips in mind to prevent wildfires:

• Respect all fire bans. If land management agencies are currently banning campfires, do not start a campfire. This is for your safety and the safety of emergency responders. Also do not light fireworks and cigarettes, shoot guns, or partake in other activities that could cause fire-starting sparks.
• Even if campfires are allowed, question whether you actually need one. If you must start one, keep it small and manageable. Select a spot with little surrounding vegetation and no low-hanging branches. Never leave your fire unattended.
• When you’ve finished with a campfire, remember: drown, stir, drown, feel. Soak your campfire until all flames are out, stir it, soak it some more, and then feel it to gauge remaining heat. Continue to add water until it is cool. Do not let any embers remain that could get carried away and start a fire.
• Even if cooking with a canister stove or another device that keeps your flame contained, always keep lots of water nearby to be ready to put out any unexpected fires from stoves that may tip over or otherwise malfunction.

If you see a new fire or plume of smoke beginning, report it to 911 as soon as you’re able. Remember to record your GPS coordinates if you can or any other specifics on location, such as landmarks or nearby trails and roads. You may also want to relay information on the color and size of the smoke and any other human activity you’ve seen in the surrounding area.

Recreate Safely and Responsibly During Wildfire Season

Wildfire season doesn’t mean we have to stay indoors all summer. It does mean that we have to plan accordingly and do everything we can to prevent starting additional fires. If you’re recreating in areas where fire threat is higher, it’s crucial to make wildfire preparation a key part of your planning process.

Have stories or tips from hiking or backpacking during wildfire season? Share your insight with us by tagging Gossamer Gear on social media (@gossamergear) and using the hashtag #takelessdomore.

Looking for more outdoor adventure inspiration? Check out some of our other articles on the Light Feet blog:

• 5 Ways to Stay Safe While Hiking in Hot Weather
• 8 Best Summer Hiking Trails in the U.S. to Beat the Heat
• Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
• 6 Best Waterfall Hikes in the Pacific Northwest
• 3 Triple Crown Thru-Hikers Compare the AT, CDT, and PCT

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