{"id":7043176,"date":"2026-08-21T09:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T09:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/how-to-escape-a-wildfire-a-hikers-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T09:10:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T09:10:00","slug":"how-to-escape-a-wildfire-a-hikers-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7043176","title":{"rendered":"How to escape a wildfire: a hiker’s guide"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With wildfires once again forcing mass evacuations across parts of the US, we\u2019ve updated our guide on how to escape a wildfire<\/p>\n

When Peter headed to Greenland<\/a> last summer to trek the Arctic Circle Trail<\/a>, I knew he\u2019d be unreachable for 7-10 days. He\u2019s a highly experienced hiker, but there was a tiny part of me that couldn\u2019t help but worry. <\/p>\n

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What if he twisted an ankle or fell into a ravine? What if he was attacked? What if he lost his backpack from a capsized kayak?<\/p>\n

There were several scenarios that ran through my head \u2013 but a wildfire was not one of them. He was heading to the Arctic for goodness sake; to Greenland of which 80% is covered in ice! Fire was hardly a danger. <\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A satellite image of a wildfire on the Arctic Circle Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only, it was<\/em>. Peter got caught<\/a> in a wildfire and was evacuated by helicopter. <\/p>\n

Recent headlines are a reminder that wildfires can catch travellers and hikers off guard. This summer, fires near Spokane<\/a> forced tens of thousands to evacuate, while in California\u2019s Big Sur residents and visitors were ordered out as flames closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway. <\/p>\n

In Minnesota\u2019s Boundary Waters<\/a>, lightning-sparked fires also led to large-scale evacuations of remote campers. Wildfires may not be the first risk you think of when hiking, but in dry conditions they can spread fast, block escape routes, and turn a normal trip into an emergency. <\/p>\n

So what should you do if you get caught in one? Knowing how to escape a wildfire is clearly important for avid hikers, especially those who often head out alone. Here are the essentials of what you need to know.<\/p>\n

Stay calm<\/h2>\n

Wildfires are extremely dangerous and your first instinct might be to start running as fast as you can, but panicking can be deadly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If the air isn\u2019t too smoky already, use breathing exercises to calm yourself down. Take a deep breath, hold it for four seconds, then exhale slowly for four seconds. Maintaining a calm and healthy mental state is intrinsic to getting you out.<\/p>\n

Protect your airways<\/h2>\n

Stay close to the ground and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to filter out airborne ash. Be wary of wetting the cloth. If the fire is close, it can evaporate the water and damage your airways.\u00a0Breathe the air close to the ground to avoid scorching your lungs.<\/p>\n

Travel upwind and downhill<\/h2>\n

First, determine the direction of the wind. You can do this by looking high into the sky and noting which way the smoke is blowing, assuming there\u2019s reasonable visibility.<\/p>\n

Upwind (i.e. into the wind)<\/h4>\n

If the wind is blowing past you and towards the fire, then travel into the wind. If the wind is behind the fire and blowing towards you, travel perpendicular to the wind to escape both the fire and<\/em> the path it will follow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Fires<\/a>
Fires move faster uphill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Downhill<\/h4>\n

If you are on a hill, travel down to level ground. Fire moves faster uphill due to updrafts so the most dangerous place to be is uphill and downwind.<\/p>\n

That said, don\u2019t hike down into a canyon or ravine. These can funnel intense heat and you may become trapped if the fire spreads around you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Head for non-flammable terrain<\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve determined your direction of travel, head for the biggest area that is unlikely to burn. The following list suggests some options.\u00a0<\/p>\n