Quick Summary:
- Check Caltrans QuickMap and local evacuation alerts before starting any drive.
- Plan two detours using major freeways, avoiding canyons and ridge roads.
- Keep fuel above half a tank, and pack water, masks, chargers.
- If smoke thickens, close vents, reroute early, and stop safely.
Wildfires can change driving conditions in minutes, especially around the hills and passes that connect greater Los Angeles. If you are using car hire in Los Angeles and a road closes on your route, the safest approach is to slow your decision-making down and follow a repeatable plan. Your goal is to avoid entering evacuation areas, reduce smoke exposure, keep enough fuel to reroute, and arrive without relying on guesswork.
This guide sets out a step-by-step method you can follow from the moment you hear about a fire, through checking official closure maps, choosing safer detours, and avoiding common smoke and low-fuel traps that catch drivers out.
Step 1: Confirm the closure using official sources, not social media
When you first hear that a wildfire is affecting travel, assume the situation is fluid. Road closures may be partial, intermittent, or applied with little notice. Before you move the vehicle, confirm what is actually closed and what is simply congested.
In California, your best starting point is Caltrans for state highways and many major routes, plus local city or county emergency management updates for surface streets and evacuation orders. Cross-check the same closure in at least two official places, because some maps lag by a few minutes.
Do this in a safe location, parked and out of traffic. If you are on the motorway already, take the next exit and pull into a service area or car park before checking your phone. Hands-free does not remove distraction, and conditions around fires can demand your full attention.
Step 2: Identify whether you are near an evacuation zone
A closure can be there to protect fire crews, but it can also be part of an evacuation plan. If your intended route passes near an evacuation warning or order, treat that as a hard stop for planning. Do not attempt to drive through “just to see” if traffic is moving. Areas under evacuation control can change directions quickly, and you may block emergency access.
As you review alerts, note three details: the zone name, the start and end points of the closed segment, and the direction of travel that is restricted. Some closures allow traffic one way for evacuation. Others close ramps but leave through lanes open. Those differences change which detours make sense.
Step 3: Re-plan using a two-detour rule
With wildfires, a single alternative route is not enough. Smoke, wind shifts, and secondary incidents can close your new route while you are on it. Use a two-detour rule: select a primary detour and a backup detour before you depart.
In Los Angeles, safer detours typically rely on major freeways and wide arterials rather than canyon roads. Canyons can trap smoke, have limited shoulders, and offer fewer exits if conditions worsen. Ridge roads may be exposed to gusty winds and sudden visibility loss.
When comparing detours, prioritise:
Road type: freeways and multi-lane boulevards over narrow mountain routes.
Escape options: frequent exits and cross streets so you can bail out early.
Services: routes with open fuel stations and shops in case you need to wait.
Traffic realism: a longer, smoother route can be safer than stop-start congestion near a closure.
Step 4: Check fuel and set a conservative threshold
Low fuel becomes a real risk during wildfire disruptions, because detours lengthen trips and congestion increases consumption. If you are using car hire, you may not know the vehicle’s real-world fuel burn, and you may be unfamiliar with where stations are located.
A practical rule in fire season is to keep the tank above half whenever you are travelling beyond familiar neighbourhoods. If you are already below half and a closure is affecting your route, treat refuelling as part of the re-plan. Do it early, while you still have choices, not after you have committed to a detour.
Also look at your phone’s battery and your passengers’ devices. Mapping and live traffic drain power. A car charger and cable should be in the vehicle, and you should avoid running the battery down while stopped with the engine off.
Step 5: Reduce smoke exposure inside the car
Even if flames are far away, smoke can create a hazardous driving environment. Visibility drops, eyes sting, and breathing becomes harder, particularly for children and anyone with asthma.
Use these in-car measures:
Set ventilation to recirculate to limit pulling smoky air into the cabin.
Keep windows up even if traffic is slow.
Use air conditioning thoughtfully, it can help keep the cabin comfortable without bringing in outside air when set correctly.
Have masks available for short periods outside the vehicle, such as refuelling.
If smoke becomes heavy enough that you struggle to see road markings or vehicles ahead, that is a sign to reroute earlier rather than pressing on to the next junction. In low visibility, a minor incident can close lanes quickly and strand traffic in smoky conditions.
Step 6: Know when to stop and wait it out
Sometimes the safest decision is to pause travel. Fire crews may close a stretch temporarily, then reopen once operations shift. If you are not under time pressure, waiting can be safer than taking an unfamiliar route through hilly terrain.
Choose a stopping point that is away from dry brush and not on the shoulder. Prefer a town centre, a large car park, or a service plaza. Keep the car pointed outwards so you can leave easily if you need to.
While waiting, re-check closures at set intervals, for example every 15 to 20 minutes, rather than constantly refreshing. Constant refreshing increases stress and distraction without improving decisions.
Step 7: If you must reroute, drive defensively and expect sudden hazards
Wildfire conditions can produce hazards that are not typical in Los Angeles driving. Watch for ash on the road, fallen branches, emergency vehicles stopping unexpectedly, and drivers making last-second lane changes to reach an exit. You may also see traffic controls that are different from normal patterns, including temporary lane closures or officers directing flow.
Keep more distance than usual, use headlights in smoke, and avoid abrupt braking. If you find yourself boxed into slow traffic near smoky areas, look for the earliest safe exit rather than waiting for your navigation app to propose a reroute. Apps often react after congestion forms.
Step 8: Understand your car hire setup before you need it
During disruptions, you do not want to be searching for paperwork. Before you set off for the day, confirm where your car hire documents are stored on your phone, what roadside assistance number applies, and what to do if the vehicle needs to be relocated due to an evacuation order.
If you are collecting a vehicle at the airport, it helps to have a clear plan for where you will head first, so you can fuel up and shop for essentials away from the busiest areas. For travellers arriving through LAX, these Hola Car Rentals pages can help you compare pickup points and rental options in one place: Los Angeles airport car rental and Los Angeles LAX car rental options.
If you prefer to review California-focused hire details and what is typically included, see car hire California at LAX. If you are travelling with more people or carrying extra kit and want a vehicle that can handle diversions comfortably, you can also compare larger vehicle categories via van hire California at LAX.
Step 9: Build a simple wildfire-ready kit for day trips
You do not need specialist equipment, but a few items reduce risk if you hit delays or must change routes. Keep these in the car whenever you are touring beyond central Los Angeles:
Water and snacks in case you are stuck in traffic for hours.
Phone charger and power bank so you can keep maps and alerts running.
Basic first aid plus any personal medication.
Masks for brief exposure outside the car in smoky areas.
Paper note of key contacts in case your phone dies.
Also keep your windscreen washer topped up. Ash and soot can build up quickly, and you do not want reduced visibility at speed.
Step 10: After you arrive, reassess tomorrow’s route and timing
Wildfire travel planning is not a one-off task. Conditions can improve overnight or worsen with wind. Once you reach your destination, take five minutes to decide whether tomorrow’s route should change, whether you should leave earlier, or whether you should avoid certain areas altogether.
It can help to anchor your plans around major hubs and avoid scenic shortcuts if fires are active. If you have flexibility, consider shifting activities towards the coast when inland smoke is heavier, or using longer freeway routes that keep you near open services.
Common traps to avoid during wildfire-related closures
Relying on a single navigation app suggestion: treat it as a starting point, not a decision. Cross-check official closures first.
Driving into the hills to “get around” traffic: the route may be narrower, with fewer exits and more smoke.
Letting fuel run low while waiting: if you are stuck, you may need to idle for cooling or move with stop-start traffic.
Ignoring early signs of smoke: if visibility is falling, reroute before it becomes dangerous.
Stopping on the shoulder near brush: pull into a proper car park or built-up area instead.
FAQ
How do I know if a road closure is confirmed during a wildfire? Check official updates first, such as Caltrans for state routes and local emergency management alerts for evacuation zones. Confirm the closure in more than one official source before rerouting.
Should I take small canyon roads as a shortcut around closed freeways? Usually no. Canyon roads often have limited shoulders, fewer exits, and can collect smoke. Major freeways and wide arterials tend to be safer and easier to escape from if conditions change.
What fuel level should I keep when driving around Los Angeles during fires? Aim to keep at least half a tank when closures are possible. Detours and congestion can increase fuel use, and stations may be busier or temporarily inaccessible near affected areas.
How can I reduce smoke inside my hire car? Keep windows closed, set the ventilation to recirculate, and avoid stopping in smoky areas if you can. If visibility drops significantly, reroute early and find a safer place to wait.
What should I do if I accidentally enter an evacuation area? Stay calm, follow instructions from officers or posted signs, and leave by the nearest permitted route. Do not stop to take photos or attempt to drive past barriers, as this can block emergency access.
