I do a lot of hiking (I’m a hiking guidebook author) and I live in British Columbia, Canada where we get dozens of wildfires each summer, so unfortunately, I’m well versed in safe hiking in wildfire season.
It’s easy to hear about wildfires on the news and freak out. While wildfires are a real danger and should be taken seriously, with a bit of planning, you can avoid hiking near dangerous wildfires and smoke.
Thankfully, I’ve never encountered a wildfire on a hike. But recently, I talked to a fellow hiker who had to evacuate from the Skyline Trail during the 2024 Jasper National Park wildfires. Between my research and her boots-on-the-ground experience, I’ve put together lots of resources for hiking in wildfire season. This post includes:
- Tips on where to check wildfire and smoke conditions before you go
- How to make a safe hiking plan including trail choice and emergency preparedness
- What to do if there is a wildfire nearby – tips for how to escape and how to shelter in place
This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.
Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn
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