You wake up, smell that distinct, acrid scent of campfire where it shouldn't be, and immediately check the sky. It’s a hazy orange. If you live in the Golden State, this isn't just a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a high-stakes survival reality that feels like it’s getting longer every single year. Knowing where the fires are in California is often the difference between a calm Tuesday and a frantic evacuation with your cat in a crate and your birth certificates in a shoebox.
Fire season used to have a start and an end. Now? It’s basically year-round.
Right now, the landscape is a patchwork of containment lines and "hot spots" that change by the hour. When the Santa Ana winds kick up in the south or the Diablos howl through the Bay Area, a small brush fire can turn into a 50,000-acre monster before the evening news even airs. You can’t rely on yesterday’s headlines. You need the raw data that the pros use.
The current map: Finding where the fires are in California today
If you want the ground truth, you have to look at the CAL FIRE Incidents Map. This is the gold standard. It’s managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and it’s where they log every "start" that breaks 10 acres or involves structures.
But here is the thing people miss: CAL FIRE only manages state responsibility areas.
If a fire starts in a National Forest—like the Sierra National Forest or the Angeles National Forest—it’s often under federal jurisdiction. For those, you have to jump over to InciWeb. It’s a clunky, government-run site that looks like it was designed in 2005, but it’s the most accurate source for federal land fires. If you see smoke over a mountain range and it’s not on the CAL FIRE map, check InciWeb. Honestly, it’s annoying to toggle between them, but that’s how the bureaucracy of fire works.
You also have to understand the difference between "active" and "contained." A fire can stay on the map for weeks. If a fire is 90% contained, it’s usually not a threat to move, but it’s still smoldering. The "red dots" you see on some third-party apps are often satellite heat signatures (MODIS or VIIRS). These are great because they update every few hours, but they can be misleading. Sometimes they pick up a controlled agricultural burn or even a particularly hot factory roof.
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Why the location of smoke is different from the location of the fire
People often panic because they see a massive plume of smoke over Los Angeles or San Francisco. They assume the fire is right next door. Actually, smoke from a massive blaze in the Mendocino National Forest can travel hundreds of miles, choking out the air quality in the Central Valley or even reaching Nevada.
Check the AirNow.gov fire and smoke map. It overlays the actual fire perimeter with the smoke plume.
It’s pretty wild to see how a fire in the "High Sierra" can ruin a marathon in Sacramento. This is where the health aspect hits home. Even if you aren't in the evacuation zone, the particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) is small enough to get deep into your lungs. If the map shows you're under a heavy plume, keep the windows shut. Seriously.
Understanding the "Big Ones" and what drives them
California has a unique topography that creates fire funnels. Think about the Camp Fire in Paradise or the Dixie Fire. These weren't just accidents; they were the result of a "perfect storm" of bone-dry fuel, low humidity, and narrow canyons that act like chimneys.
- The Fuel: We’ve had years of drought followed by wet winters. The wet winters grow "fine fuels"—grasses and weeds. Then the summer sun bakes them into tinder.
- The Ignition: Power lines are a huge culprit, though lightning strikes in the high desert and mountains cause massive "complexes" (multiple fires that merge).
- The Wind: This is the killer. In Southern California, the Santa Anas blow from the desert toward the ocean. They are dry and hot. They can push a fire at 60 miles per hour. You can't outrun that.
When searching for where the fires are in California, look specifically at the "Red Flag Warnings" issued by the National Weather Service. If your area is under a Red Flag Warning, the fire hasn't necessarily started yet, but the conditions are so volatile that if one does start, it’s going to be a nightmare to put out.
The tech that’s changing how we track blazes
We aren't just relying on lookouts in towers anymore. The AlertCalifornia camera network is a game-changer. It’s a web of hundreds of high-definition, pan-tilt-zoom cameras perched on peaks across the state.
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They use AI now to detect smoke. The system can actually "see" a puff of smoke before a human 911 caller even realizes what’s happening. You can go to their website and watch the live feeds. It’s eerily beautiful but incredibly useful for situational awareness. If you hear a siren, check the nearest camera.
Then there’s the Watch Duty app. Honestly, if you live in California, this is the one app you actually need. It’s run by volunteers and retired fire personnel who listen to the scanners 24/7. They post updates way faster than the official government channels. When a fire breaks out, they’ll tell you which way the wind is blowing and which streets are being evacuated in real-time. It’s grassroots, but it’s more reliable than the local news most of the time.
What to do if a fire is near your location
Don't wait for the "mandatory" order if you feel unsafe.
The biggest mistake people make is "waiting to see." If you can see the flames, you’ve waited too long. The roads will get clogged with neighbors trying to do the same thing.
- Pack the "Go Bag" now. It should have three days of water, prescriptions, and your important documents.
- Clear your "Defensible Space." Move the woodpile away from the house. Clean the dry leaves out of your gutters. Those embers fly miles ahead of the actual fire and land in your gutters. That’s how houses burn from the inside out.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full. When the power goes out, the gas pumps don't work.
- Register for your county's emergency alerts. Every county (like LA, Sonoma, or Shasta) has a specific "CodeRED" or "Everbridge" system. They will call your cell phone if your house is in the path.
The reality of where the fires are in California is that they are a natural part of our ecosystem, but the "new normal" of climate change has made them more aggressive. We’ve seen the state's largest fires on record all happen within the last decade. It’s a lot to process.
Real-world resources for immediate updates
To stay ahead of the curve, you should bookmark a few specific pages. Don't just Google "fires near me" because the results can be outdated by six hours—which is an eternity in a fire.
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- CAL FIRE Incident Map: fire.ca.gov/incidents
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): For the big-picture national view.
- NASA FIRMS: This shows satellite detections. It’s the "heat map" that shows exactly where the fire is burning hottest right now.
- Local Sheriff Twitter/X Accounts: In California, the Sheriff handles evacuations, not the fire department. Follow your local Sheriff for the "Leave Now" orders.
It’s easy to get "fire fatigue." You see the hazy sky, you shrug, and you go about your day. But staying informed about the geography of these incidents is how you protect your family. The terrain of California—from the chaparral in the south to the timber in the north—is designed to burn. Our job is to just not be in the way when it happens.
Practical Steps for Residents
Check the Wildfire Risk Index for your specific address. This isn't about where the fire is today, but where it’s likely to be tomorrow. Home insurance companies are dropping people left and right because of this data, so you should know what they know.
If you're planning a trip to a National Park or a camping spot, check the Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). If there are "No Fly" zones for drones, it’s because tankers and helicopters are dropping retardant in the area. That’s a huge red flag that you should stay away.
Stay vigilant. Keep your phone charged. And for heaven's sake, if the sky turns that weird shade of apocalyptic bruised purple, just load up the car and head toward the coast.
Moving Forward Safely
Download the Watch Duty app and set up notifications for your specific county and the surrounding counties. Wind doesn't care about county lines. If a fire starts in the county upwind of you, you're the one who will be dealing with the smoke or potential spot fires.
Sign up for Zonehaven (Genasys Protect). Many California counties now use "Zone" numbers (e.g., zone EVAC-012). Write your zone number on a Post-it and stick it on your fridge. When the Sheriff posts an update saying "Zone 12 is under an Evacuation Warning," you won't have to fumble with a map to figure out if that’s you. Knowing your zone is the fastest way to react when seconds count.