May is National Wildfire Awareness Month

Nate Lillge • June 1, 2022

Trails can provide some clear space that may help you survive if caught in a wildfire

We all have seen and heard about wildfires - and these events are getting more frequent and much bigger. Defensible space and air quality index are terms that everyone knows and uses. Information is available on how to make our houses and other property as safe as possible during fires. But how should one prepare to enjoy our public lands during wildfire season?


Before heading out on the trail, check the weather forecast and wildfire danger. Although infrequent, thunderstorms do occur in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The LNU Complex Fires of 2020 were started by multiple lightning strikes that started several fires that combined to create the sixth largest fire in California’s history. Social media, weather and fire apps are good resources, but ranger stations and field offices have the most up-to-date information – be sure to check in with the staff there. If the danger is too great, avoid going out on the trail.


If you see smoke while on the trail, stay calm. Take note of the amount of smoke as well as the direction and distance. Get off the trail and to safety as quickly as possible. Getting to safety quickly may require you to leave your gear to lighten your load. When you have reached safety, call 911 to report the fire, even if you think someone else has already reported it.


Move out of the path of the fire – you will not outrun the blaze. Head downhill as much as possible as fires tend to move uphill faster than downhill. Avoid forests or other heavily vegetated areas like chaparral, streamsides, or next to ponds/lakes. Do not shelter in locations that can act as wind tunnels and intensify the heat and flames, like canyons and ravines.

Remember to stay alert on the trail!

In the unlikely event that you are caught in the fire, find a depression in a meadow or open area with a small fuel load. Clear debris and other material away and, if time, dig a small hole for your face. You can also shelter behind large rocks which can block the heat and flames. Sheltering IN streams or lakes is another option, just be sure to move away from of the vegetation next to the water. If the fire overtakes you, stay calm. Lie face down with your feet toward the approaching fire. Cover your face, mouth, and nose with a piece of cloth. Synthetic clothing has a lower melting temperature than natural fibers – remove these if possible.


After the fire has moved on, get to safety as quickly as safely possible. Move away from the fire – moving through a recently burned area generally means that there is less fuel available. Be aware of the dangers – hot areas, spitting embers, and burning trees. The roots of trees may still be burning or have already burned which may create a void underground which could collapse when you step on it.


Whenever you head out on the trail, stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Refrain from listening to music so you can hear any possible danger, look up so you can see hazards. Be prepared - know where you are, where you are going, and have escape routes. Make sure that someone (who is not on the trail with you) knows where you are going and when you plan to be back. And make sure to let them know when you have safely returned!


-Nate Lillge; nlillge@tuleyome.org


Adventures and Engagement Director

RECENT ARTICLES

Women's Equality Day 2026

By Kristie Ehrhardt • August 26, 2026
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to conservation: Sheila Pratt (Cache Creek Conservancy), Corky Quirk (NorCal Bats and Yolo Basin Foundation), and Cathy Little (Yolo Habitat Conservancy). Please share in a round of applause for our friends for their passion and dedication to conservation.

Women's Equality Day 2026 - Cathy Little

By Kristie Ehrhardt • August 25, 2026
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to conservation: Corky Quirk (NorCal Bats and Yolo Basin Foundation), Sheila Pratt (Cache Creek Conservancy) and Cathy Little (Yolo Habitat Conservancy). Hear about Cathy's journey below and learn about Sheila here and Corky here. Please share in a round of applause for our friends for their passion and dedication to conservation. I received my Bachelor’s Degree at UC Davis in Plant Biology and immediately moved into environmental consulting when I graduated. For the next few years, I had the opportunity to botanize and see lands throughout California. I was working on large river projects and became interested in restoration of riparian habitat and decided to go back to school and get my master’s degree at Chico State. I continued working on restoration projects and started to be more interested in conservation work. I spent the last 16 years working for the Center of Natural Lands Management where I directly managed and acquired lands with listed species and sensitive habitats and led the northern California group. Recently I made a career move to the Yolo Habitat Conservancy where I am now contributing to conservation work in my local County. Through growing up in California I have been able to spend a large amount of time in vast beautiful wilderness areas, but have also witnessed conversion of many lands to development. I have always had a draw to natural lands and observing the amazing intricate ecosystems that they support. When I was working in environmental consulting on designing, building, and monitoring restoration sites, I saw these lands being transferred to entities that managed them in perpetuity, and I knew that I wanted to be part of the effort. I have spent most of my career now doing just that. Throughout my time working in conservation, I have had so many long-term field ecologists inspire me to continue doing this work. Watching others work tirelessly over many years to manage and protect natural lands, and collaborate and share their knowledge, has been so motivating. There is nothing more enjoyable than spending a day in the field with other ecologists and sharing enthusiasm about some small moment of observation, and always learning some new tidbit of information about a certain species or behavior or management tool. My advice to young women starting their career in the environmental/conservation/non-profit sector would be to just get out there and start gaining experience in whatever seems interesting and then collaborate and talk to as many people to learn about all the different opportunities. There are so many aspects of conservation and environmental work and the more time you spend working in it, the more you will be able to figure out how you want to contribute to the community as a whole. I would suggest taking as many opportunities as you can and working with as many different people as possible. Listening to people’s backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can be valuable in navigating your path. I would recommend always advocating for yourself, being open and honest about your abilities, and committing to and communicating your beliefs regarding your work.

Women's Equality Day 2026 - Corky Quirk

By Kristie Ehrhardt • August 25, 2026
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to conservation: Corky Quirk (NorCal Bats and Yolo Basin Foundation), Sheila Pratt (Cache Creek Conservancy) and Cathy Little (Yolo Habitat Conservancy). Hear about Corky's journey below and learn about Cathy here and Sheila here. Please share in a round of applause for our friends for their passion and dedication to conservation. I came to bats late. I have been involved with outdoor recreation and environmental education most of my life. I have a BS in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Environmental Education from Humboldt State. But, it was learning about them at the Yolo Basin Foundation (YBF) where I found my love for bats. When I started at YBF, there was a woman who we contracted to do 3 programs a summer and I started volunteering for her organization in 2004. I was inspired to work in the conservation/preservation/ecology sector because my parents loved nature. We did many trips to State and National Parks where we camped and hiked. Over the years I have met many people who work in the conservation field and have encouraged me. I greatly enjoy sharing knowledge with the various bat biologists from environmental consultants, to the State to the US government agencies. There are two projects that I am most proud of. I started NorCal Bats in 2006 and now see almost 40,000 people each year to educate them about bats from schools, libraries, garden clubs, festivals, campgrounds and more. I'm also very proud of how popular the Yolo Basin Foundation Bat Talk and Tour program has become. When I took over the program in 2006 we did about 3 nights a summer, now we are conducting about 70. Some of the most profound moments and memories for me are of all the people who have learned about bats both through the Yolo Basin Foundation's Bat Talk and Tour programs and the presentations through NorCal Bats. I don’t have a specific favorite memory but I am proud of the number of times people come to me and say that they were hesitant or afraid of bats, and no longer are due to the presentation. Periodically, when I take the bats to schools through NorCal Bats, I'll have a student who is very fearful. Sometimes they hide under a desk or sit very close to the teacher. I'm most proud when they overcome that fear, ask questions and especially if they say that the bat is cute.