RV travel in wildfire season

Most wildfire trouble for RVers isn't the fire itself. It's a closed highway that adds three hours, a campground that's been evacuated, or a week of smoke that makes the trip miserable. All of that is easier to handle when you see it coming a day or two out.

1. Know where the data comes from

• Fire perimeters. The National Interagency Fire Center publishes current fire perimeters for the US. It's the same source many maps use.
• Smoke. NOAA's Hazard Mapping System maps smoke plumes from satellite images. For air quality on the ground, check AirNow.
• Closures and evacuations. These come from local authorities. Check the state DOT (511) for roads and the county or fire agency for evacuations. No map is faster than they are.

2. Check before each drive, not just the trip

Fires move. A route that was fine when you planned it can have a new fire next to it by the time you drive it. Make it part of your morning: look at the day's route and tonight's stop, then decide if anything changes. If a fire is close to a stop, call the campground. They'll know more than any map.

3. Smoke inside the rig

• Close windows and roof vents, and set the A/C or vent fans to recirculate.
• A small portable air purifier with a HEPA filter helps a lot in a space the size of an RV.
• Carry a few N95 masks for time outside.
• If someone in the rig has asthma or heart or lung trouble, take smoke seriously and move on sooner rather than later.

4. Have a plan B for the route

In fire country, know your alternate before you need it. Look at the other ways to the next stop, and remember that a big rig's alternate has to fit too. If authorities close a road or order an evacuation, follow their instructions. Don't try to drive around a closure.

How RV Compass shows fire and smoke

RV Compass draws current fire perimeters (from NIFC) and smoke (from NOAA's HMS) on the map. The layer is on by default from June through October. Drives and stops get warnings when a fire is close: a caution for a fire within 10 miles of the route, or a danger within 1 mile, and for stops, a caution within 25 miles and a danger within 5. In navigation, the app looks 150 miles ahead and draws perimeters within 50 miles of you.

If the fire data can't be loaded, you'll see "Wildfire data unavailable," never an all-clear. The same planner also shows drive-day weather at the hour you'll be there, NWS watches and warnings, and time zone changes along the route. More in wildfire smoke, time zones, and drive-day weather.