I’ve been following the news about wildfires in Washington, and while the season is reportedly milder than past years, it still feels risky to travel there right now. The Bear Gulch Fire on the Olympic Peninsula is burning in rough terrain and may not be fully out until the rains or snow come. Even though the state has had fewer fires overall, officials keep reminding people that most blazes are human-caused and can flare up quickly.
As someone who loves hiking and road trips, I find this a bit unsettling. Smoke can drift for miles, trails can close suddenly, and air quality can go downhill fast. I’ve had trips before where wildfires forced last-minute detours, and it’s stressful when you’ve planned for months. Would you still travel to Washington this season, or would you wait until fire risks calm down?

