The Height of Wildfire Season Is Here: Time to Make Your Safety Plan

In many regions of the United States, especially out West, June through September is more than just summertime—it’s also wildfire season. With record-breaking heat waves, intense drought conditions, and other impacts of climate change, even some areas that historically weren’t at risk for wildfires are starting to become more vulnerable.

Each year, the most wildfire prone regions in the U.S. will experience at least 30 fire weather days, which means it’s crucial to plan ahead. Now is the time to re-evaluate your wildfire safety precautions, instead of assuming last year’s efforts still hold up. Fire emergencies can escalate rapidly, so here’s what to know and how to prepare.

You Don’t Have To Live in the Woods to Be at Risk

Many residential communities are located in the wildlife-urban interface, where neighborhoods brush up against natural ecosystems like forests, marshes, or grasslands. In hot, dry seasons, fires can spread quickly through these areas, which puts both homes and habitats in danger. Even if you’re outside this wildlife-urban interface, wind can still blow smoke, ash, and embers over a mile away from the initial blaze.

Another issue is how long the wildfire season lasts these days. What used to be just a few risky months has turned into almost a year-round concern. While conditions heighten in the summer, it’s important to have safety measures in place all the time. Wildfires can be unpredictable, so be proactive—no matter the season or where you live.

Don’t Wait Until You’re in a Panic

There’s a difference between calmly planning ahead versus emotionally reacting in the heat of an emergency situation. You will make safer and smarter decisions when the risk of a fire isn’t currently in the forecast. This is why consistent, thorough safety inspections matter. Test the sensors on your smoke alarms and confirm that all your vents are ember-resistant. Clear debris from your gutters and roof. Taking these precautions on the frontend will ensure they don’t fall through the cracks in the event a wildfire occurs.

What to Do Before a Wildfire Ignites

Don’t procrastinate until you see flames on the horizon, steadily moving towards your home. Here are five actions you can take right now for maximum wildfire protection:

• Clear a defensible space. Make sure there’s at least five feet of clear space between your home and flammable materials that can spread a fire. Remove dry mulch or leaves, overgrown bushes and tree branches, or stacks of firewood from your lawn.
• Reinforce the vents and windows. Fires don’t just burn—they also sneak inside open crevices. Embers can enter a home through attics, windows, vents, or crawl spaces, so block those entry points with ember-resistant vents and dual-pane windows.
• Upgrade to fire-rated materials. If a stray ember lands on the roof, the materials you chose to build it matter. If you haven’t done so, now is the time to upgrade to a Class A fire-rated roof with materials such as concrete, slate, asphalt, metal, or clay.
• Invest in a sprinkler system. Fire sprinklers effectively contain and control flames in 97 percent of the incidents that activate them. If your home lacks a fire sprinkler system, install one as soon as possible. If you do have fire sprinklers, schedule a professional system inspection at least once or twice a year to maintain working order.
• Make an evacuation plan. Assemble a portable emergency kit with crucial documents, water, nonperishable foods, chargers, blankets, hygiene items, medications, first aid supplies, N95 masks, and other essentials. Sign up for local weather alerts in your area, and familiarize yourself with evacuation routes before you need to leave.

Don’t Be Caught Off-Guard—Create a Plan That Works

Wildfires move quickly, often burning more than 1,000 acres per hour. They don’t wait for you to catch up in real-time—you need a plan well in advance. As these climate disasters continue to intensify, being prepared is your surest, most reliable defense.