Wildfire Season: How Scanner Access Protects Your Family
When wildfires move faster than official alerts, scanner access can mean the difference between safe evacuation and being trapped. This guide covers how to monitor fire communications, what to listen for, and why real-time information saves lives.
During Fast-Moving Fires, Minutes Matter
Official evacuation alerts are often delayed 15-60 minutes behind the actual fire situation. Scanner monitoring provides:
- Real-time fire location — Know exactly where the fire front is
- Road closures as they happen — Avoid blocked evacuation routes
- Evacuation order sequence — Hear your area before official apps update
- Resource deployment — Understand how serious the situation is
What to Monitor During Wildfire Season
CAL FIRE Frequencies
Highest Priority
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection handles major wildfire response. Their command and tactical frequencies provide the most comprehensive picture.
Key Channels:
- CAL FIRE Command (statewide coordination)
- CAL FIRE Tactical (ground operations)
- Air-to-ground (aircraft and tanker ops)
County Fire Dispatch
Your county fire department dispatch provides local incident information, resource requests, and initial response coordination.
What You'll Hear:
- Initial fire reports and locations
- Unit dispatches and assignments
- Structure threat assessments
- Evacuation requests
Emergency Management
County Office of Emergency Services (OES) channels handle evacuation coordination, shelter information, and multi-agency response.
What You'll Hear:
- Evacuation zone announcements
- Shelter locations
- Road closure coordination
- Public information updates
Sheriff/Law Enforcement
Police handle evacuation enforcement, road closures, and security. Note: Many California police departments are now encrypted.
If Accessible:
- Evacuation door-to-door progress
- Road closure locations
- Checkpoint status
- Security concerns
Finding Your Local Fire Frequencies
Step 1: Check RadioReference
Visit RadioReference.com and search for your county. The database lists:
- All fire and EMS frequencies
- System type (analog, P25, trunked)
- Encryption status for each channel
- Talkgroup information for trunked systems
Step 2: Verify with Broadcastify
Check Broadcastify.com to see if volunteers are streaming your area's fire channels. This lets you test access before an emergency.
Step 3: Program Your Scanner
Add your local fire frequencies before fire season. Don't wait until there's smoke in the air to figure out your scanner.
California Fire Scanner Terminology
IC (Incident Commander)
Person in charge of fire operations. Their reports give the best overview.
Division
Geographic section of a fire. Divisions are labeled by letters (Division A, B, etc.).
Strike Team
Group of 5 engines of the same type with a leader.
Task Force
Mixed group of resources (engines, dozers, crews) with a leader.
Immediate Structure Threat
Fire approaching buildings—evacuation usually follows.
Mandatory Evacuation
Leave now. Law enforcement will assist/enforce.
Evacuation Warning
Be ready to leave. Gather belongings and monitor closely.
Shelter in Place
Stay indoors, usually due to smoke. Not the same as evacuation.
Rate of Spread (ROS)
How fast fire is moving. High ROS means urgent evacuation.
Containment %
How much of fire perimeter is controlled. 0% = active spread.
Equipment for Fire Monitoring
Scanner Apps (Free/Low Cost)
Best for: Quick access, mobile monitoring
- Broadcastify — Largest network, many CA fire feeds
- Scanner Radio — Mobile-friendly interface
- 5-0 Radio — Location-based feed discovery
Limitation: Depends on volunteers streaming. During major fires, feeds may lag or go offline.
Physical Scanner (Recommended)
Best for: Reliable monitoring, no internet dependency
- Uniden SDS100 — Best overall, handles all digital formats
- Uniden BCD436HP — Good P25 support, lower cost
- Whistler TRX-1 — Alternative digital option
Advantage: Works during power outages (battery), no internet needed, direct reception.
Mobile Setup
If you might need to evacuate while monitoring:
- Handheld scanner with external antenna
- Car power adapter
- Magnetic mount antenna for vehicle roof
- Battery backup
When Official Alerts Fail
Official alert systems have failed during multiple California fires:
- Camp Fire (2018) — Many residents received no official warning before flames reached their homes
- Tubbs Fire (2017) — Alert system failure contributed to confusion and deaths
- Creek Fire (2020) — Rapid spread outpaced official notifications
Scanner monitoring provides a backup information source that doesn't depend on alert systems, cell towers, or internet connectivity.
Encryption Concerns in California
Good News: Fire Usually Stays Open
Most California fire agencies have not encrypted their dispatch channels. CAL FIRE operations remain accessible, and most county fire departments are still open.
Bad News: Police Are Encrypting
Many California police departments have encrypted their communications. This affects:
- Evacuation enforcement information
- Road closure details
- Security and looting prevention
- Law enforcement coordination
Protect Fire Access
If your fire department proposes encryption, fight it. Fire communications are critical public safety information—the same arguments against police encryption apply even more strongly to fire.
Learn about fire/EMS interoperability →Fire Season Preparation Checklist
Before Fire Season
When Fire Threatens
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to CAL FIRE on a scanner?
Yes, CAL FIRE operations are generally unencrypted and can be monitored on scanners. However, police channels in many California cities are now encrypted. Fire and EMS are typically still accessible.
What scanner frequencies should I monitor during a wildfire?
Monitor CAL FIRE command frequencies, your county fire dispatch, and local emergency management channels. RadioReference.com has complete frequency listings by county. Fire channels are usually in the 150-160 MHz range.
Are official evacuation alerts enough during a fire?
Official alerts are important but often delayed. During fast-moving fires, scanner access provides real-time information about fire location, road closures, and evacuation status that may precede official notifications by 15-60 minutes.
What's the best scanner for monitoring wildfires?
For California fire monitoring, a digital scanner like the Uniden SDS100 or BCD436HP works best for modern P25 systems. Many rural fire departments still use analog, so check your area's system type first.
Does police encryption affect fire scanner access?
Police encryption typically doesn't affect fire/EMS monitoring, as these are usually separate systems. However, some areas have encrypted their fire dispatch. Check RadioReference for your specific jurisdiction.
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