Updated July 10, 2026 07:49 am
As a Colorado resident, I am no stranger to wildfires. Even if the fire is miles away, you can still experience hazy skies and smoky air. My 69-year-old mother was scheduled to visit from New Jersey in June, when there were 16 active wildfires in the state. Most of our plans revolved around being active outside.
In preparation for his visit, I considered postponing. I was already nervous about taking her to the ski town of Breckenridge because of the heights. But the city’s location in the fire-ravaged mountains of Colorado also had me concerned about air quality.
Many travelers have faced similar dilemmas this summer. The warm, dry winter followed by the heat of summer set the stage for an aggressive start to the fire season. By the end of June, More than 60 major wildfires were furious in the United States, and record fire Fires were burning throughout southern Europe. The flames have forced many travelers to reconsider plans.
Mountaineer Ryan White recently canceled his annual camping trip with friends in Colorado’s Western Slope due to recent fire incidents in the area. “We had a campsite reserved, but it was centered toward the White Mountains of Arizona, which seems to be one of the few places that isn’t on fire right now,” he says. Whited says he’s stuck look at dutyA real-time fire warning app has been around for the past few weeks.
White owns a fitness center called Paragon Athletics in Flagstaff, Arizona, where the air quality isn’t much better due to rising winds. pocket fire Outside Sedona. He trains the Hotshots, an elite team of wildland firefighters, Who are struggling with hell. When friends question whether they should come to Sedona, he tells them, “It’s safe to come here, but honestly, it’s not much fun.”
The fire situation has also forced event organizers and athletes to take tough decisions. Fire in France prompts Tour de France organizers to do so Re-plan race stages and ban fans. In Colorado, annually Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival and Ouray 100 Endurance Run, as well as the upcoming Leadville Silver Rush Run 50 and Mountain Bike 50 Race Canceled due to fire in the area.
On the evening before a major gravel bicycle race held at the SBT GRVL, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a fire broke out near Fruita and local Air Quality Index (AQI) Race co-founder Amy M. Charity says it went from 30 (good) to about 200 (unhealthy) in about an hour.
“We sent our volunteers and staff home as it was no longer appropriate for them to be out of town,” the charity says. At midnight his operations team concluded that there was about a 50/50 chance that they would have to cancel the program altogether.
Overnight, the AQI in Steamboat Springs dropped back into the 30s. “I remember walking outside, looking up at the stars, and realizing that we got incredibly lucky,” she says. “At the same time, all the forecast we were seeing was suggesting that the wind might change later in the day and bring smoke to Steamboat by the afternoon.” Rather than hope that the forecast was wrong, race organizers decided to proactively ensure that every rider left the course before the deadline when the air quality was predicted to be poor.
Monitor situations and be flexible
If you plan to travel to an area currently affected by wildfire, do your research and be flexible. “Conditions can change rapidly from worse to better in either direction,” says Michelle Steinberg, director of the National Fire Protection Association’s wildfire division.
Images and headlines in national and global news outlets often make it appear as if an entire state or country is on fire. Steinberg urges people to do their homework and consult local weather maps, such as weather Underground; local and regional news sources; and tourism board. is in many counties emergency warning system And visitors can sign up for notifications.
“It’s important to go to the source rather than guess,” she says. “If you’re considering whether or not to go, locals will always be your best source for advice.” She warns that even if your destination is not at risk from fire, it may be affected by smoke from nearby fires, which can last for hours, days or weeks. She recommends testing EPA’s AirNow Fire and Smoke Map For updated conditions.
You should also monitor the air quality at your destination, especially those traveling for outdoor activities or running. “Although exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do, when the air quality is poor, it can mean your breathing increases during exercise, causing you to take significantly more pollutants into your lungs,” says Dr. Miriam Merchant, a pulmonologist at UCLA Health.
“A bike ride on a clear day that benefits your cardiovascular health may expose you to many times more harmful pollutants during a wildfire event,” says Dr. Merchant. A common misconception, she says, is that if you don’t feel short of breath, you’re safe. However, Dr. Merchant says that fine particles of wildfire smoke can cause inflammation in your lungs and these fine particles can also enter the bloodstream.
Dr. Merchant says once the AQI exceeds 100 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, older adults, children and pregnant people should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. “Even healthy adults should consider exercising indoors if the AQI rises above 150,” she says.
Make a plan and be prepared
Preparation and situational awareness remain your best defense when circumstances change rapidly. Skylar McKinley, a member of Colorado’s Oak Creek Fire Protection District, which is located near Steamboat Springs, and AAA’s state regional director, encourage travelers to keep a small fire extinguisher, shovel, water, heavy blankets, masks and paper maps of the area you’re traveling through in their cars. “You can’t rely on cell service if a fire breaks out while you’re driving in an unfamiliar area,” he explains. Outside.
Kent Weber, senior manager of intelligence services at Global Rescue, an international evacuation and medical company, emphasizes that the most important decision during a wildfire is often the one you make before you see the flames. “Travelers should monitor conditions, understand evacuation routes and evacuate quickly when authorities issue evacuation orders,” he says. “Waiting until roads are congested or visibility is reduced can quickly eliminate your safest options.”
How to be smart and safe on the ground
Five of Utah’s six wildfires started this summer human reasonAccording to the initial determination of firefighters. People need to be smart and aware about fire Fire danger levels and restrictions this summerMcKinley says. Restrictions are proactive measures implemented by land management agencies to reduce wildfire risk during periods of high fire danger. They are generally grouped into three phases, with Phase 3 being the most cautious, and containing regulations specific to different sectors. He says even most Stage 2 restrictions ban campfires, fireworks and smoking outside. And never fly a drone near wildfires. If you’re smoking in a vehicle, the windows should be rolled up to prevent sparks from escaping, and never throw a cigarette out the car window, he adds.
If you’re hitting the road, McKinley encourages drivers to inspect their vehicles to make sure there’s nothing that could create a spark or potentially cause a wildfire. He says drivers should never go off the road where dry or tall grass could touch their vehicle’s hot undercarriage. If you’re pulling something, make sure the chains are properly secured so they don’t drag and spark. And check your tire pressure before heading out. “Your optimal tire pressure should be listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the door jamb,” he says. “Properly inflated tires help prevent blowouts and blowouts that can cause sparks.”
What to do if you catch fire?
“If you see a fire, call 911 giving the most precise location, whether it’s a mile marker, highway exit, or road crossing, as well as what direction the smoke is blowing,” says McKinley.
If you find yourself trapped in a wildfire, stay calm and assess the situation. “People naturally assume they should always flee from a wildfire, but conditions on the ground dictate the safest course of action,” Weber says. “If escape routes have been cut off or the fire is very close, taking shelter inside a structurally sound building may provide greater safety than attempting a last-minute evacuation through smoke, falling debris or damaged roads.”
Do not try to drive through dense smoke. If you can’t reach a building, Steinberg recommends sitting on the floor of your vehicle with a heavy wool blanket over yourself. “The most dangerous place is outside,” she says. “A car is at least a safety net where you can wait until the worst has passed.”
What to consider before canceling plans?
While Spain, Portugal, France and Greece and large parts of the western United States are battling fires, there are many areas that are unaffected. “After a dry winter, a lot of mountain towns need tourism,” McKinley says.
This is what I kept thinking as I debated whether I should put plans to go to Breckenridge on hold. I checked obsessively colorado smoking blogThe air quality index, and the weather forecast a week before my mom’s trip. Rain was forecast two days before he took off. We both agreed that she should still come, and luckily, a storm passed the night she arrived, clearing the way for a few days of beautiful outdoor adventures. I was willing to gamble on the weather and air quality rather than cancel my house rental, bike rental and restaurant reservations. Others may have felt uncomfortable taking the risk.
“Travel is personal and individuals have to make their own assessment,” says McKinley. I couldn’t agree more. A fun and safe vacation this summer truly comes from traveling within your comfort zone. You can remain alert about the conditions and visit destinations that may be affected by the fire and its consequences and recover completely. Or if you want a fixed bet, there is always the option to change plans and opt for cooldown.
Jen Murphy lives in Colorado and is a regular contributor Outside.
