News

It seems like every summer the wildfires get worse — and it's not just summer anymore. Wildfire season now stretches May through November in parts of the West, and RVers are uniquely exposed. We're moving through unfamiliar terrain, often boondocking off-grid, sometimes without cell signal.

This isn't meant to scare anyone. It's meant to keep you safe, and most of all, to help you keep enjoying the RV life.

1.   Know Before You Go — Real-Time Monitoring Tools

There are a lot of good tools out there, I’ve used all these this summer along traveling from the Stanley area to Mt. Rainier. Also keep in mind last summer’s fires are this summer’s mud slides, the road closure sites / apps are valuable.

- Watch Duty app (the gold standard right now for RVers/campers)
- AirNow.gov for air quality
- InciWeb for active fire tracking
- Checking state DOT road closure sites before route planning

2. Have an Evacuation Plan Before You Need One
Better safe than sorry. Several years ago I lived near Grand Lake, CO, and everyone in town had an exit plan — the whole forest was standing dead from beetle kill, and everyone was just waiting for it to go up like a match.

- Always know two ways out of any campsite or boondocking spot, not just the way in
- Keep the rig "go-ready" — don't let tanks run empty; keep at least a half tank of gas and propane at all times
- Build a 15-minute bug-out checklist: slides in, awning up, cords and hoses stowed, nothing left outside to grab last-minute

3. Protect Your Lungs and Your Rig from Smoke
It's tough to get fresh air and keep your RV cool during a smoke event — these tools help. And just because you don't see or smell smoke doesn't mean the air quality is actually good.

- Portable air quality monitor — cheap, reliable ones exist now
- Know your cabin air recirculation setting, and when to run AC vs. pulling in outside air
- Cracking a window vs. sealing up completely — know what actually helps in a trailer or motorhome (hint: in heavy smoke, sealed and recirculating almost always wins)
- Keep N95 masks on hand for anytime you're outside the rig

4. Insurance, Documents, and the "Go Bag"
Again — better safe than sorry. These are things you do once, then forget about until the day you desperately need them.

-  Photograph or scan your VIN, registration, insurance card, and any rig titles or loan documents — store copies in the cloud, not just in a glovebox that might not make it out with you
- Pack a quick-grab go bag: medications, phone chargers, cash, pet food and supplies, a change of clothes
- Know your policy's evacuation and loss-of-use coverage before you need to file a claim, not while you're on hold with your agent from a Motel 6

5. Choose Campsites and Routes with Fire Risk in Mind
Prevention beats evacuation every time. A little research before you book saves you from making hard decisions later.

- Check for recent burn scars and current high-risk zones before booking a site
- Avoid dead-end forest roads as a rule during peak fire season — if there's only one way in, there's only one way out
- Always have a backup campground or route in your back pocket, planned in advance, not improvised mid-crisis

Wildfire season isn't going anywhere, but a little preparation goes a long way toward making sure it doesn't derail your trip — or worse. Stay smart out there, and follow along at Tough Top Awnings for more real-world tips from the road.

Stay safe out there and happy RVing : )