Last Updated on July 11, 2025

I witnessed some crazy wildfires back when I lived in California. The Atlas and Patrick fires both burned less than 15 miles from my home in 2017. 

As someone who’s lost everything to fire before, it was an incredibly uneasy and tense time. And it only seems to be getting worse – the Canadian wildfires were so bad in 2023 that the smoke reached New York.

Wildfires aren’t always linked to climate change – sometimes they’re started by arsonists, mismanagement, or natural causes. But climate change is definitely making wildfires worse and more frequent – leading to something called fire weather. 

But what exactly is fire weather, and how can we prepare for it? Is there a way to prevent it? Here’s everything you need to know to keep yourself informed, safe, and ready. 

what is the definition of fire weather? 

Fire weather refers to any time the conditions are right for a blaze – typically issued as a warning when an area has been too hot, dry, and windy for substantial amounts of time. Fire weather doesn’t mean there are any actual fires – it simply means there could be. 

According to NOAA, fire weather watch alerts will be issued whenever these three critical elements are met: 

• sustained winds averaging 15 mph or greater 
• relative humidity 25 percent or less 
• temperature 75°F or greater 

When these fire weather conditions are met, the landscape is primed for really disastrous infernos that can be difficult to control and put out.

For instance, The Camp Fire of 2018 moved so quick that it overwhelmed the city of Paradise, killing 86 people, many trying to leave in their cars. 

what are the 5 critical fire weather conditions? 

The five critical fire weather conditions include high air temperatures, low precipitation, low soil moisture, low relative humidity, and gusty winds. When you mix all five of these together, you get ample weather that fuels fires.  

Here’s a deeper dive into each element: 

1. High air temps: Very warm temperatures can strip moisture from easily combustible materials, like grass 
2. Low precipitation: Lack of rain or snow, or in extreme cases, a drought 
3. Low soil moisture: When soil moisture is low, vegetation is likely dry and stressed, making it easy kindling 
4. Low relative humidity: If there’s a lack of water vapor in the air, it makes kindling (grass, brush, etc) easier to burn 
5. Gusty winds: Winds can strengthen flames, should a fire ignite 

how do you prepare for fire weather? 

The best way to prepare for fire weather is to stay on top of weather conditions. Springtime is when most wildfires occur, but secondary fire weather season occurs during fall.

Be mindful that climate change affects wildfires, making them more common and less predictable. Be sure to monitor alerts on your phone and check National Weather Service (NWS)’s fire weather map consistently. 

Another way to prepare for fire weather is to create an action plan, in case there is a fire. You should research and check your location on FEMA’s website to get information about disaster declarations in both the past and present. 

Listen for wildfire evacuation orders and take them seriously: Devise a plan with your family members so you all know where to regroup and meet, should you have to evacuate. 

Having a bug out bag full of supplies is a great idea. A bug out bag can be stashed under the bed, in a closet, or in a car – but it should be somewhere you can easily access.  

Here’s what to pack in a bug out bag: 

RELATED: How to Build An Eco-friendly Emergency Kit 

how can we reduce chance of wildfires? 

Obviously being prepared for the worst is important, but what if we could reduce their occurrence? Good news:There are several ways we can reduce the likelihood of fire weather alerts (and wildfires in general).  

controlled burns 

It may seem counterproductive, but doing controlled burns will help reduce wildfires. Why? Because a planned fire can remove dead grass, fallen tree branches, dead trees, and thick undergrowth – aka, the kindling that fuels wildfires. 

Planned burns are done when weather conditions are not fire weather conditions – and can be properly controlled and monitored. Ash from burnt vegetation also releases nutrients back into the soil, allowing for new vegetation to grow and promoting biodiversity.  

You can learn more about controlled burns via Nat Geo but it’s important to note it’s nothing new – indigenous people have been practicing controlled burns for decades. We can advocate for more controlled burns by writing to our local reps, learning more about them, and simply spreading awareness.

tackling climate change 

By having strong climate policy in place, we can ensure fire weather becomes less common. Voting for people who vow to protect the environment – both on local and national levels – is essential to this.  

Getting involved in your government, emailing and calling your local reps, and volunteering your time at environmental non-profits are all great ways to fight climate change on a collective level.  

On an individual level, taking steps to reduce your own carbon footprint too (like switching to renewable energy and driving less) is also a great idea. And of course, don’t forget to make plastic-free swaps or start composting if you haven’t yet! 

RELATED: 4 Ways to Fight Climate Change as One Person 

creating drought tolerant lawns 

If you live in a state that’s prone to droughts (like California), investing in drought-tolerant landscaping is a great way to reduce risk of fires. Drought-tolerant plants require less water and can be less susceptible to igniting.  

Xeriscaping is worth looking into, as well as planting fire-resistant plants (agave, succulents, red yucca, etc).  

Looking into native plants is also worth checking out, as these plants require less maintenance and tend to be more durable in your specific climate. My friend Shelbi recently turned her lawn into a native pollinator habitat and I’m here for it! 

Do you have any questions on fire weather? Let me know in the comments! 

An Open Letter to the United States of America

When California was on fire, Canada sent water bombers to help. When our country is burning… You sent us a complaint letter. America, we need to talk.

Dear United States Congress,

Thank you so much for your deeply concerned letter about our wildfires “ruining your summer.” Truly touching.

We apologize that our forests, after decades of record heat, drought, and corporate deforestation (some of it by your own timber giants), had the audacity to catch fire and interrupt your BBQs and lake weekends.

But since you’re so concerned, let’s review the scoreboard:

When California was engulfed in flames, Canada sent water bombers. No letter. No whining. Just help. Because that’s what friends do.

We routinely send highly trained Canadian firefighters to California, Oregon, and Washington when your forests are burning down faster than a rant from your president. We don’t send a letter complaining about the smog drifting north, we send help.

When your hospitals were overwhelmed and out of PPE during the pandemic, we shipped masks and gloves south. At the same time, Trump threatened to cut us off. No letter. Just help.

When 9/11 happened, we took in 33,000 stranded passengers and fed them in Gander, Newfoundland. We didn’t send a letter complaining about our tourism season. We opened our doors. You might try it sometime instead of burning the planet for campaign cash.

Meanwhile, you send us… a letter.

You write with concern about your “ability to go outside and safely breathe.” We’re concerned about that too. We’ve been concerned for decades as your corporations have belched more carbon into our shared atmosphere than almost any other country on Earth. You lecture us about “active forest management” while simultaneously gutting your own environmental protections and subsidizing the very fossil fuel industry that’s setting our planet on fire.

All the while, we’re actually investing in green energy to prevent these fires before they start. You might try it sometime instead of burning the planet for campaign cash.

You want to talk about what’s “ruining the summer”? Let’s talk about the raw sewage and industrial waste you’ve been dumping into the Great Lakes for a century. Let’s talk about the invasive species that hitch a ride in your ships and decimate our ecosystems. Let’s talk about the acid rain from your factories that has poisoned our lakes and forests for generations.

Oh, and let’s talk about that “outdoor recreation” you’re so worried about. You know, the same outdoors you’ve been paving over with pipelines, fracking, and oil rigs. The same air you’ve been happily polluting for decades, accelerating the climate crisis that makes these wildfires worse.

Your letter mentions arson, but conveniently ignores the primary accelerant for these fires: climate change. A crisis you have actively lobbied to ignore.

So please, spare us the lecture. Don’t you dare complain about the smoke in your sky when you have helped build the fire.

You accuse us of “a lack of forest management”? Please. Our forests are twice the size of the state of Texas. And guess what? We didn’t spend decades denying climate change while burning coal like it was going out of style.

We Canadians love our summers, too. We also love being able to breathe. But most of all, we value friendship and reciprocity. Things that are clearly in short supply south of the border these days. Real friends show up with buckets, not complaint letters.

If you’re so desperate for fresh air, maybe stop voting for politicians who think the only green policy worth supporting is the color of their campaign donations.

Instead of sending snarky letters, how about sending fire crews? Or maybe instead of funneling your giant defense budget into more tanks, border walls, and that Big Beautiful Bill budget that props up ICE and billionaires, you could help fight actual global threats. Like climate change?

Next time there’s a crisis, maybe look in the mirror before you look north.

With all the polite Canadian sincerity we can muster,

Canada and The Planet D

Want to sign this letter too?

Leave a comment below with:
“Signed, [Your Name]” (and feel free to add where you’re from!)

Let’s show that real friends show up with buckets, not complaint letters.

Wildfires in Europe are taking hold as a severe heatwave intensifies. The UK has faced its hottest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday July 1, 2025, and the Met Office has confirmed that this is England’s hottest June on record. Elsewhere in the continent, temperatures in southern Spain reached 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and wildfires are sweeping across Turkey and France. Below, we look at which countries and areas have been most affected by the wildfires, and what it means for travelers.

Wildfires in Turkiye’s Izmir

Getty Images

Where in Europe are there wildfires?

At the time of writing (Tuesday, July 1, 2025), there are wildfires raging across Turkey’s western regions. Forest fires in the French region of Corbières were also reported on Sunday June 29, 2025.

In August 2024, wildfires spread through Greece in areas near Athens, where flames reportedly reached heights of over 65 feet. In 2023, fires blazed in Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Algeria, among other countries. Thousands of people, including vacationers, were evacuated across these countries, and airlines put on repatriation flights to some of the destinations most affected, including the Greek islands.

Where are the wildfires in Turkey?

According to the BBC, more than 50,000 people have been evacuated so far, mainly from the area of Izmir, but fires have also been reported in Bilecik, Hatay, Sakarya, and Manisa. Recent, consistent high temperatures have dried out the land, leading to fires causing considerable damage to property and land, and there have been reports of serious injuries.

Where are the wildfires in France?

The French government has issued a red alert for extreme weather as temperatures soar across the country. Wildfires erupted over the southern Corbières mountain range on June 29, 2025, and subsequently led to evacuations and a motorway closure according to reports from the BBC. French officials stated that the fires have since been contained.

What’s causing Europe’s wildfires?

The three factors that impact the spread of fires are high temperatures, drought, and high wind. Much of Mediterranean Europe is already experiencing serious heatwaves this summer, and while many factors can be the final spark that ignites a wildfire (campfires, lightning, etc), hot temperatures are key.