Check wildfire notices before choosing campsite

When choosing a camping location in the national forests, it is advisable to check in at the local Forest Service office first and get the latest forest fire updates. This information is invaluable if there are any local fires, such as the direction the fire is headed and possibilities of evacuation.

Even if a wildfire is not close by and you can reasonably assume that if it moves closer you will have plenty of time to move out, if you are downwind from the fire the smoke could still blow down on your campsite causing watery eyes or respiratory problems. At the very least it may be uncomfortable, a situation you could avoid by checking fire directives first before choosing your campsite.