Wildfire is an inevitable part of summer in the western forest. Sections of the PCT can and do close due to fire. In the event of an extended closure, the PCTA works with land management agencies to designate an official detour route for the PCT.

Walking into a fire closure area is not only illegal and fineable, but is extremely hazardous, even when flames are not nearby. Wind can suddenly change direction, rapidly transporting smoke and fire. Spot fires from flying embers can ignite miles away from the main fire. Smoke can get so thick that it eliminates visibility and makes breathing impossible. Retardant chemicals can be dropped from aircraft without warning. After the main fire has passed, hot spots can travel and linger underground for weeks, creating trap-door-like charcoal pits. Burned tree limbs can break and fall at any time. When deciding to close an area of the forest, authorities weigh all of these hazards. Trail users who ignore closure notices and strike out into the danger zone can trigger costly rescue operations, diverting personnel and resources from the actual firefighting.

PCTA makes an effort to warn long-distance trail users of a trail closure and/or detour ahead, but this is not always possible. Trail users who come upon a closure need to be prepared to follow an alternate route. The PCTA website will always post current closure information, as well as the officially designated detour route, where applicable.

Check with local land agencies for breaking wildfire information.

To find out the current status of fires in the states along the Pacific Crest Trail checkout InciWeb.org

For more information on wildfires, watch the PCT-L and the links below.

Fire Permits:
The PCTA strongly urges all hikers using the backcountry to obtain a California fire permit. The permit covers use of campfires and stoves in ALL Park Service, Forest Service, BLM and State Lands within the state of California. Permits can be obtained at any US forest service, National Park service, BLM, or California Division of Forestry office. They are free and valid for one year. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that people using the back country have all the proper information about safe use of fire in the backcountry. These permits should be acquired before the start of your hike or ride. For more information visit: www.fire.ca.gov/index.php

Fire Related Links:

National Interagency Fire Center

Calif. Dept. of Forestry's Major Incidents page
Also lists the major fires in the area, same as the USDA Forest Service regional index and the National Interagency Fire Center's index. There's a pointer to a summary page for each fire; no maps, though. For up-to-the-minute information, the viewer is advised to call a Fire Information Phone Number, listed on a separate page.