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Summer wildfires are increasing in number every year, and sadly, increasing in size, damage and casualties as well. They can also wreak havoc on Colorado roads and put motorists in danger. Colorado regional truck drivers are far from exempt, either.

Wildfire safety is part of the new reality for southwest truck drivers (and, frankly, truck drivers everywhere).  Make sure you know what to do during smoky conditions, and also what to do if you drive straight into the path of a fire. And of course, be proactive about fire safety in the first place.

Here’s a five-minute roundup of staying safe (and healthy) while trucking during wildfire season.

Practice fire safety

As Smokey the Bear has told us for decades: only you can prevent forest fires. Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, truck drivers included. When conditions in Colorado are bone dry, take extra steps to avoid becoming part of the problem.

• Make sure everything is tightly secured during your morning circle check. Any loose metal could scrape on the pavement and cause a spark. In tinder-dry conditions, that can be all at takes to start a forest fire.
• If you smoke, properly dispose of your butts during your breaks. A butt thrown on the ground can ignite dry brush.
• Be fire smart at home, too. Avoid lighting any candles or torches outdoors when conditions are dry. Even if there’s no campfire ban, it’s a good idea to avoid those as well until drought conditions are over.

Of course, we feel the need to add: be fire smart at all times, and not just during the summer dry season!

Once you hit the road, here’s how to haul safely in Colorado fire season…even if wildfires aren’t active in your area.

Expect sudden road closures

What makes wildfires so dangerous is even slight changes in the weather can change their course. This means that within hours, regions thought to be safe may suddenly be under an evacuation advisory (more on that in a moment).  And THAT means unplanned road closures, possibly for the long-term.

If you’re trucking in Colorado in summertime, be prepared for wildfire-related road closures.

• Monitor wildfire conditions before the start of your day, and make note of areas which could be a problem.
• Plan ahead by making note of secondary routes, if you need them.
• Call in any road closures to dispatch, as you may be delayed by a significant time.

It’s good to remember, though, to expect the unexpected while trucking in wildfire season. Plan ahead, but also plan for plans to change.

Protect yourself from smoke

Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles from its source. Even if you’re nowhere near an active fire, you might have to deal with smoke while you’re on the road.

We don’t have to tell you (but we will anyway): smoke reduces visibility and is toxic for your lungs. If you need to drive through an area with poor air quality, here’s how to protect yourself.

• Turn your rig’s vents to recirculating mode, to prevent poor quality air from entering your cab. You’ll need to turn it back on roughly every 20 minutes to prevent C02 buildup, for five minutes at a time.
• Wearing an N95 mask while driving can help, too.
• Leave extra space between you and other motorists. With visibility low, it can be harder to tell when someone is slowing down.
• Consider putting on your lights to make you and your trailer more visible.

Remember: if you feel the smoke is too heavy for you to safely continue, then get off the road. Depending on conditions, you may have to divert from your planned route anyway. That brings us to our most important point of all:

If you drive into a fire zone

As we mentioned earlier: wildfires can be unpredictable. Despite your best-laid plans, you may end up driving into a fire zone. If this happens, stay calm (I know, we say this a lot) and follow these recommendations from the Colorado Department of Transportation:

• Look for state police, who will be giving evacuation orders for the area.
• Join the evacuation route, and again, leave plenty of space for other motorists.
• If visibility becomes low, use the right-hand line near the shoulder to guide you.
• Watch for other motorists who may be nervous, impatient, or panicking.
• Lastly, if the fire is close by, be aware of falling ash and debris.

This is an unlikely scenario, but not an impossible one either. If you end up hauling into a fire zone, keep your head, follow directions, and get yourself to safety.

Whether we like it or not, summertime wildfires are part of the new normal for Colorado truck drivers. Be prepared, know the best ways to stay safe, and you can protect yourself and everyone else on the road. 

To enjoy the haul no matter what Mother Nature throws at us, check out Truline’s current opportunities, and join our team today.