Thru-Hiking During Fire Season: Information and Helpful Resources

Hey thru-hikers, it’s fire season. Many of us are thru-hiking this time of year because it’s prime time for backpacking! Makes sense. Unfortunately, that means trail closures are a definite possibility, especially later in the summer when wildfires are most likely to ignite, spread, and affect resources.

What is Fire Season?

Although it varies by location, fire season is anytime of the year when wildfires are most likely to occur…no kidding huh!

When is Fire Season?

For much of the western states the season is typically from May to October. However, the season has been getting longer and year-round in some places.

Some states have already seen red flag warning alerts. Red flag warnings are notices to warn people that there is an increased risk of wildfires due to gusty winds, warm temperatures, low relative humidity, and/or dry lightning. These warnings mean there is high or extreme fire danger.

Where Do Most Wildfires Occur?

Anywhere, but especially forested areas in the west. That means heads up for PCT and CDT hikers.

How many PCT hikers do you know that had to dodge wildfires last year or previous years? Maybe you were one of them? Sadly, wildfires have been the culprit when it comes to not finishing a thru.

Why is Fire Season Getting Longer?

This is a complex issue. To fully explain this, it would take more than a blog post but there’s a great article that Kelly Floro posted here.

Essentially, a combination of drought, fire suppression efforts, lack of forest management, accumulation of heavy fuels, humans, and changes in climate have all contributed to fire season getting longer.

Forest Health

As a forester in my 9-to-5 job, I can shed some light on why fire is bad, but it’s also good. If you’re just here for the resources, then feel free to skip (but I hope you don’t).

Fire has always played a natural role in the ecological system in maintaining healthy forests. When out of control, fire can be devastating to natural resources and human communities.

Forest management practices such as thinning and prescribed burning create healthier, more productive forests.

For centuries, fire has been used as a tool to manage unhealthy or overgrown forests, and one of the best tools used in restoration.

The lack of fires has resulted in overgrown forests that have an abundance of tree density (including healthy live, standing dead, diseased, insect damaged trees) aka “fuel”.

Hazardous fuels reduction projects consists of selectively thinning trees which reduces tree density.

By managing fuel (vegetation/combustible material) projects:

• Reduce excessive amounts of brush, shrubs, and trees
• Lower the intensity and lessen the severity of fires
• Encourage new growth of native vegetation
• Increase available forage and habitat for wildlife
• Create more healthy and resilient forests
• Maintain the many plant and animal species whose habitats depend on periodic fire

Tree biomass is sometimes chipped, scattered, or piled to prescribe burn at a later date under specific weather conditions.

Proactive forest management aids in slowing or preventing large wildfires.

These projects help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to people, communities, and natural resources.

Prescribed Fire vs Wildfire

Prescribed fire is carefully planned, timed, and managed to reduce wildfire risk. Air quality and health impacts are small scale.

Wildfire is unplanned, untimely, increased risk to people, communities, and natural resources. Air quality and health impacts are large scale, and wildfires are a significant source of air pollution.

Prescribed fire is a controlled burn, and one of the most effective tools in preventing large fires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires.

So you see, fires are actually good when carefully managed. Many of the mega fires happening nowadays are due to the lack of fire. Now, on to those resources…

How Can You Stay Safe While Thru-Hiking?

Be aware of any fire restrictions in your area. Are there any fire prevention orders? Have you received a red flag or fire weather warning on your phone? Are there permanent fire restrictions for the area, such as “No Fires Above 10,000 ft” or no stoves? Are there any fires up ahead that might cause detours and reroutes? Is there a fire near you? Where’s the smoke coming from? These are all questions that may arise when you’re out on trail. Here’s a list of resources including but not limited to public wildfire information. These are sites that I have personally found helpful when planning or during a thru in the west.

Know before you go – check the local land agency

Bureau of Land Management Fire Restrictions – check for regional fire restrictions before heading out to enjoy your public lands:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Eastern States
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon-Washington
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Wyoming

U.S. Forest Service Fire Restrictions

National Park Service Fire Restrictions

Get real time fire information

InciWeb

National Interagency Fire Center

Nevada Wildfire Info Dashboard

Cal Fire

Where is the smoke coming from?

AirNow Fire and Smoke Map

Are there any Trail Closures?

Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA)

Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC)

Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)

Leave No Trace

Roughly 90% of wildfires are human caused.

Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

Late Summer Fire Prevention Tips 

Smokey Bear

How to Maintain & Extinguish Your Campfire

National Weather Service

Issues warnings on weather apps or can check website for specific locations: Red Flag Warning

Additional resources

Living with Fire

Satellite Communicator: message a friend or family member for information. I use the Garmin inReach Mini

Facebook groups and social media pages: social media can be a helpful tool when checking for trail updates, but I would recommend actual websites for reliable information.

Trailheads: major trailheads and sometimes intersections will post signs with important fire info. If you’re in the backcountry, then sending a message might be your best option.

Stay calm and think rationally: if you find yourself in a bad situation and you’re in immediate wildfire danger, PCTA has outlined “how to react to wildfires”

Common Sense: don’t forget to use our noggin. You won’t die from heartbreak (from not finishing a thru) but you can from a wildfire. You might be forced to backtrack and hike out somewhere to get additional information.

Have fun, stay safe, and hope this information was helpful.