Getting your car ready for wildfire season

From late spring until the winter rains, your car is your evacuation plan. Half a tank always, go bag packed and parked facing the street.

In California fire season gets longer every year, and the car is the evacuation tool that can fail exactly when it is needed. A prepared vehicle leaves the zone in minutes; one on reserve sits in the line.

At the start of the season

• Maintenance up to date: brakes, tires, battery. In extreme heat, the battery and tires fail first.
• Tank above half at all times during the season. EVs: charge above 60% and a charger plan outside the zone.
• New cabin filter and recirculation mode tested: smoke comes in through the vents.
• Trunk kit: N95 masks, water, flashlight, charger, goggles, wool blanket, documents in copy and on your phone.
• Pick two exit routes and drive them on a Sunday. In a real evacuation there is no time to look at the map.

Under a red flag warning or evacuation order

• Car facing the exit, parked outside the garage if a power cut is likely (the automatic door won't open without power; learn the manual release).
• Windows closed, air on recirculation, headlights on even in daylight.
• Leave when told, not when you see flames. Traffic is the real danger in an evacuation.
• If smoke blocks the view, slow down and follow the road lines; don't stop in the middle of the lane.

After

• Ash on the paint: rinse with plenty of water before rubbing; ash scratches and is corrosive when wet.
• Replace engine and cabin air filters. Check the A/C doesn't smell of smoke.
• A car that was near the fire can have damaged rubber, hoses and wiring with no sign outside: inspection before daily use.