With wildfires scorching tens of thousands of acres across Colorado, drivers should avoid the burn areas and find alternate routes. However, when there’s no way to go but through, it’s important to stay safe, Colorado State Patrol officials said.
“If you live, work or are visiting an area, follow road closures and evacuation orders as soon as they are issued,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew Packard . “Don’t risk being trapped or having nature eliminate potential routes out of the area due to your delay.”
Drivers who must cross through a fire area should be prepared to feel heat inside their vehicle and to encounter heavy smoke, state patrol officials said. Drivers should:
- Keep their vehicle’s windows and doors closed and use the recirculation feature to prevent toxic air from entering.
- Turn on their headlights, but should not use high beams. High beams will reflect off the smoke and further reduce visibility.
- Drive slower than the posted speed because of low visibility, moving wildlife and emergency vehicles in the area. Drivers should give themselves time to react to whatap happening around them and increase their following distance from the car ahead.
- Drive predictably and avoid stopping, especially in areas with heavy smoke and fire risk.
- Eliminate distractions and not purposefully drive off the road onto grassy areas.
- Use the painted edge lines on the right side of the road as a visual guide if visibility is poor.
In an active fire zone, if traffic is being allowed through, stopping, parking and standing outside of vehicles along the highway shoulder is not allowed, according to the . If traffic is being guided through a fire area, drivers must follow the pilot vehicle and line of traffic without stopping.
Motorists should ensure any safety chains are fully secured, nothing is dragging on the ground, tires have enough pressure and brakes are maintained, state transportation officials said. Loose chains, dragging items, exposed wheel rims and thin brakes can all spark.
Drivers may also see falling debris — including ash, glowing embers or toppling trees — close to the fire, state patrol officials said. If drivers have a vehicle fire extinguisher, they should bring it to use in case of emergencies.
Once drivers are safely out of range of the fire area, state patrol officials said they should pull over and check their vehicle for any damage or mechanical issues, such as clogged air filters or ash buildup. Motorists should wipe off or rinse their windshields before using their windshield wipers, according to the agency. Ash contains toxins and can be gritty because of non-combustible materials left behind from the fire.
“Driving during a brushfire or wildfire is extremely dangerous,” Packard stated. “If you feel unsafe, you don’t have to wait for an evacuation order. Pack up and leave. You can stay informed about the fire from a safe location.”
