{"id":4286,"date":"2018-07-28T08:18:23","date_gmt":"2018-07-28T15:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=4286"},"modified":"2022-04-16T16:12:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-16T23:12:41","slug":"surviving-wildfire-hiking-what-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/28\/surviving-wildfire-hiking-what-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Surviving a Wildfire While Hiking: What to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"How
Avoid forest and get to open areas with little vegetation. (Photo: USDA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Surviving a wildfire you encounter while day hiking or backpacking is definitely possible. This post gives key wildfire-survival hiker safety tips to decrease the chance you’ll be caught in a wildfire — and to increase your chance of survival if you do.<\/p>\n

I am an avid hiker and also a hiking guidebook writer, and I hike in and write about Northern California, a very popular hiking spot where wildfires are increasing in severity<\/a>. As I write this, fires burn across California, and the Carr Fire is burning large parts of my hometown of Redding, California. This post is my way of doing what I can to help, since a significant number of people read this blog.<\/p>\n

Before You Go Hiking: Assess the Wildfire Danger<\/h2>\n

Pay attention to the news and social media like Facebook, check websites about wildfires and smoke conditions, and especially check the website of agencies that combat wildfires and give updates on wildfire growth and evacuation areas. (I have a post on California fire, smoke, and air quality conditions<\/a> that also has links applicable to other states.)<\/p>\n

Ranger stations are often your best source of current information.<\/p>\n

Check the Weather for Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Red Flag Warnings<\/h2>\n

Also check the weather forecast for the area where you intend to hike. Lightning from thunderstorms is a common cause of backcountry wildfires; weather reports provide detailed discussion of location, probability, and severity of thunderstorms. Weather forecasts also predict wind, humidity, and temperature conditions, and they include red flag warnings about impending fire danger.<\/p>\n

Currently, my favorite source for weather is the National Weather Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And make sure you follow all rules and regulations about campfires<\/a> for your state. You don’t want to be the cause of a major conflagration.<\/p>\n

Plan Escape Routes from Wildfires<\/h2>\n

Before you take your day hike or backpacking trip, look at topographic maps and read descriptions of your trail and nearby trails to determine the best escape routes if a fire does threaten. Plan for different fire locations and directions of movement. Try to have at least two routes out no matter where you are.<\/p>\n

Noticing a Wildfire While Hiking or Backpacking<\/h2>\n

If you see smoke, assess its distance from you, the direction of smoke movement, and the smoke quantity. This helps you assess the potential danger.<\/p>\n

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you feel there is any potential danger, hurry back to the trailhead and get out of there. If necessary, leave gear behind.<\/p>\n

When it’s safe to do so, call 911, the managing government agency, or the county sheriff’s office to report the fire, especially if it’s a small one that may have avoided previous detection.<\/p>\n

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Camp for Free in California National Forests<\/h4>\n

\"CampCalifornia’s national forests and BLM lands have thousands of miles of dirt roads with lots of spots for dispersed camping (boondocking).<\/strong> My book provides all the info you need to get started (but is not a guide to specific sites):<\/p>\n