Inhabitants of the Golden State are becoming far too familiar with the harsh realities of wildfire season, which typically extends through most of the summer months. The 2021 fire season was witness to 5,743 fires, burning a total of 1.4 million acres of California landscape. Born from a downed power line in dry conditions, The Dixie Fire spread through five California counties, destroying 1,329 structures and burning 963,309 of the aforementioned 1.4 million acres.

The current fire season cycle has been looking more hopeful with only 181,252 acres burned in 2022 thus far, leaving the state well below the five-year average of 623,202 acres burned per season. But given that the state is in the midst of a drought and a heat wave (and a potential superstorm, apparently, which could quell fires but does nothing to calm nerves) California isn’t out of the woods, or the smoke, just yet. 

But there is good news, Californians: Hope is not lost. You are, above all else, residing in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and you can’t give up on her just yet. Although we don’t have the power to keep Mother Nature at bay, the predictability of wildfire season (at least in terms of timing) has provided ample opportunity for preparedness.

Read on for five ways to feel confident and ready as you head into wildfire season. Whether or not you’re based on the West Coast, increasing temperatures mean that it’s likely these tips will come in handy at some point.

Structuring your home to increase resilience to wildfires is both cost-effective and sustainable, and can save you from rebuilding should a fire sweep your neighborhood. Here are several ways to prep your home for fire season:

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, defensible space is the buffer between your home and the combustible vegetation surrounding the structure. Here are a few simple ways to create defensible space around your home:

A secondary aspect of wildfire season in California is the copious smoke. Depending on the speed and direction of the wind, smoke from a fire miles away could sock you in with unhealthy air loaded with particulate matter.

If you’re faced with an awful air day, it is best to remain indoors. But have no fear—as we’ve all learned, this can be both fun and productive. Here are several solutions to a smokey day spent indoors:

It’s always a good idea to have a go bag packed and ready. Grab an old, sturdy backpack and toss in practicals and valuables. Here are a few basics to always have on hand in case an evacuation order arises:

Now that you’ve prepared your home and packed your bags, it’s time for the final and most important step in preparedness: ensuring your own safety. It’s vital to have an evacuation plan set in place should you find yourself faced with an evacuation order. Here are a few simple steps to follow when creating an evacuation plan:

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