Driving During a Wildfire: What to Do If Fire Blocks Your Route

Key takeaways

The safest approach is to avoid driving through a wildfire by evacuating early, following official alerts, and planning at least two evacuation routes.
If you must drive through wildfire conditions, slow down, keep your headlights on, close doors and windows, and use your vehicle’s air recirculation setting to limit smoke exposure.
Stay inside your vehicle when possible because it provides more protection from heat, flames, embers, and smoke than being outside.
If you must stop, pull safely off the road and park in a clear, open area or behind a solid structure, away from trees, brush, and other combustible material.
Prepare your vehicle in advance by keeping it well maintained, keeping the gas tank at least half full, and carrying emergency supplies such as an N95 mask, water, food, first-aid supplies, paper maps, and a wool blanket.

You may remember the news coverage about Southern California suffering one of the most destructive wildfires in state history in 2025. The Palisades Fire swept through the region, killing 12 people and destroying nearly 7,000 homes and buildings. But wildfires aren’t limited to California.

While wildfires are more common in the Western US (with wildfire season traditionally occurring from spring to fall, though increasingly extending beyond that in some areas), they can happen anytime and almost anywhere—and they often act unpredictably. In fact, as of May 2026, more than 25,000 wildfires have burned nearly 1.9 million acres across the country this year alone, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Changes in wind, available fuel, and even topography can quickly alter where a wildfire travels and how fast it moves. In hot, dry, and windy conditions, a wildfire can spread at speeds approaching 14 miles per hour, reports the Western Fire Chiefs Association—although this typically occurs in more extreme scenarios.

What are the hazards of a wildfire?

As scary as the thought of driving through a wildfire may sound, there are ways to approach it as safely as possible. First, know the hazards you may face:

Low visibility. Wildfire smoke can thicken quickly, causing visibility to drop rapidly and making it difficult to see what’s ahead.
Toxic pollution. Breathing in wildfire smoke is a serious health hazard. The smoke contains a mix of air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). PM2.5 is especially dangerous because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and is linked to a range of health issues, such as asthma attacks, reduced lung function, heart problems, and other respiratory illnesses.
Extreme heat. A wildfire can generate very high temperatures, often in the range of about 570 degrees Fahrenheit to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in the combustion zone. While you wouldn’t experience those full temperatures at a distance, radiant heat can still be intense and potentially harmful.
Impacts to your vehicle. The flames and extreme heat can damage tires, melt components, or cause sparks around or inside your car. As you drive through a wildfire, you may even notice your vehicle rocking due to the fire’s strong, erratic air currents, which can make your vehicle feel unstable or buffeted while driving.

How do I safely navigate roads during a wildfire?

If you must drive through a wildfire or find yourself inadvertently doing so, follow these tips from the Colorado State Patrol’s Department of Public Safety:

Remain alert and take your time. Fire conditions can change quickly, so keep your attention locked on your surroundings. People, animals, and debris may enter the roadway, and traffic signals may be out. Drive slowly, and keep your headlights on.
Keep smoke and fumes out. Use your vehicle’s air recirculation setting and keep doors and windows fully closed. This helps limit smoke from entering your car.
Stay in your vehicle. A vehicle provides some protection from heat, flames, and embers compared to being outside. Crouch as low as possible, and keep driving slowly and steadily toward a safer area. Avoid stopping unless absolutely necessary.
Make yourself visible. Keep your headlights on. Avoid using high beams, which can reflect off smoke and reduce visibility. You can also use your horn to alert other drivers if needed.

What should I do if I must stop during a wildfire?

In a wildfire, a variety of hazards may force you to stop driving. Thick smoke can severely reduce visibility, and extreme heat or debris may affect your vehicle. If you must stop, here’s what to do, according to guidance from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group:

Never wait to evacuate until flames are visible. Leaving early is one of the safest ways to avoid becoming trapped by changing fire conditions.

Pull off the road. Move your vehicle as far off the roadway as safely as possible so that emergency vehicles and other drivers can get through.
Find the safest place to park. If possible, park behind a solid structure (such as a wall or a building) to help shield your vehicle from radiant heat. Otherwise, stop in a clear, open area such as a parking lot, school campus, beach, or near a body of water. Stay away from trees, brush, or other combustible material.
Stay in your vehicle. A vehicle offers more protection from heat, embers, and smoke than being outside. While parts of your car may be damaged by heat, cars typically do not explode in wildfires. Only leave your car if you have clear visibility and a safe, open path away from danger. Do not try to outrun a wildfire on foot.
Minimize the smoke and heat inside your car. Keep your engine running if possible and use the A/C on recirculation mode. If smoke creeps in, cover your nose and mouth to reduce inhalation. Stay below window level, and cover up with a blanket or coat to help protect yourself from radiant heat.

How can I prepare for the possibility of driving through a wildfire?

The best way to stay safe from wildfire threats is to avoid them entirely. Never wait to evacuate until flames are visible. Leaving early is one of the safest ways to avoid becoming trapped by changing fire conditions, says the National Weather Service. If that’s not possible, however, follow these essential tips from the American Red Cross:

Ready your vehicle now. Keep inspections and maintenance up to date, and consider signing up for AAA Roadside Assistance in case you need help during an emergency. Keep your gas tank at least half full whenever possible. If you have enough lead time, clear leaves, debris, and other flammable material from your vehicle’s exterior. Inside the car, avoid storing items that could melt, ignite, or cause burns under extreme heat.
Stay updated. Activate emergency alerts on your phone, and heed evacuation orders. When officials advise you to leave, it’s to help ensure you can evacuate safely and with enough time.
Plan more than one route. Wildfires can shift direction quickly, so identify at least two evacuation routes ahead of time. If you’re on the road and encounter heavy smoke or fire conditions ahead, turn around (if it’s safe to do so), and seek an alternate route. Never intentionally drive into an active wildfire unless directed by emergency personnel.
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include essential items such as a high-quality mask (such as an N95), a small fire extinguisher, extra windshield wiper fluid, a first-aid kit, water, nonperishable food, paper maps in case cell service is lost, dry clothes, and a wool blanket, which is naturally more fire-resistant than many synthetic materials.

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Driving through a wildfire is undeniably frightening, but preparing now can help you respond more safely. Stay updated on the wildfire threats and evacuation notices through trusted local news, weather, and emergency management sources so that you can react early and avoid danger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you drive through a wildfire if the road is still open?

No. The safest choice is to avoid an active wildfire whenever possible and leave early rather than waiting for conditions to worsen. Never intentionally drive into an active wildfire unless emergency personnel direct you to do so.

When should you turn around during a wildfire?

Turn around when you encounter heavy smoke, fire, or other conditions that make the road unsafe, as long as you can do so safely. Have more than one evacuation route planned so you have an alternative if your original path becomes blocked.

Is it safer to stay in your car if you become trapped by a wildfire?

Generally, yes. A vehicle can provide more protection from heat, flames, embers, and smoke than being outside, so stay inside while the fire front passes unless you have a clearly visible, safe path to an open area. Stay as low as possible in the vehicle and keep the windows and doors closed.

Where should you stop if wildfire smoke makes it impossible to keep driving?

Pull as far off the road as you safely can so emergency vehicles and other drivers can get through. When possible, choose a clear, open area such as a parking lot, school campus, beach, or area near a body of water, and avoid trees, brush, and other combustible materials.

How can you keep wildfire smoke out of your car?

Keep the windows and doors fully closed and set the vehicle's air conditioning to recirculation mode. This helps reduce the amount of smoke entering the cabin. Current EPA guidance also recommends recirculation as a way to reduce smoke exposure while traveling in a vehicle.

What should you do if your car is stopped near an approaching wildfire?

Stay in the vehicle, keep the engine running if possible, and use the air conditioning on recirculation mode. Stay below window level and cover yourself with a blanket or coat to help protect against radiant heat. Guidance for vehicle entrapment similarly recommends staying inside until the fire has passed.

Can a car explode during a wildfire?

Cars typically don't explode in wildfires, although the vehicle can still suffer serious damage from extreme heat and flames. Tires, wiring, and other components may be damaged, so focus on getting to a safe location rather than trying to protect the vehicle.

What should you keep in your car for wildfire emergencies?

Keep an emergency kit with items such as a high-quality mask, a small fire extinguisher, extra windshield washer fluid, a first-aid kit, water, nonperishable food, paper maps, dry clothes, and a wool blanket. It's also a good idea to keep your vehicle maintained and your gas tank at least half full so you're ready to leave quickly.

What's the safest way to prepare for driving during wildfire season?

The best preparation is to avoid dangerous conditions altogether. Sign up for emergency alerts, pay attention to evacuation orders, keep your vehicle ready to go, and know at least two ways out of the area. Emergency agencies also emphasize leaving early rather than delaying until fire conditions or road access deteriorate.