What you’ll learn in this post:
- When fire season typically starts and ends in Northern and Southern California
- Which documents to keep in a fireproof safe at home, and which copies to store off-site
- What belongs in a self storage unit during fire season, and what to leave out
- How to pack a unit so it holds up if fire risk is high nearby
- What to look for in unit size, security features, and coverage before you book
- Where Saf Keep Storage facilities are located across California
From late spring through late fall, California is in fire season. Northern California’s fire season typically runs from June or July into late October, while Southern California’s can start as early as May. With months of risk on the calendar every year, a plan for protecting your belongings matters as much as a plan for evacuating safely.
Here’s how to prepare your home and your self storage unit for fire season, wherever you are in California.
What to Keep in a Fireproof Safe at Home
Certain documents need to stay close and accessible if you have to evacuate quickly:
- Birth certificates
- Social Security cards
- Passports
- Insurance policies
- Medical records
- Wills and property deeds
- Tax returns
Scan each of these into a digital copy and save it to a cloud drive so you can access or reprint them from anywhere. Keep the physical originals in a fireproof safe at home, then store a second set of copies off-site in your self storage unit as a backup.
What Belongs in Self Storage During Fire Season
A self storage unit gives you a second layer of protection for the belongings you can’t fit in a home safe: family photos, backup document copies, out-of-season clothing, and other items you want to have some extra distance from home during fire season.
Skip storing anything flammable. Batteries, gasoline, and other fuels are fire hazards that don’t belong in a storage unit. Items with deep personal meaning that can’t be replaced are usually better kept close, not tucked away.
Packing Your Unit for Fire Season
A few packing choices make a difference if fire risk is high nearby:
- Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
- Wrap fragile or sentimental items in bubble wrap or another protective layer.
- Keep everything off the unit floor.
- Ask your facility about fire safety measures, including sprinkler systems and on-site security.
- Look into storage tenant insurance for an added layer of coverage.
If wildfire smoke is more of a concern than the fire itself, our guide to packing for smoke damage covers that in more detail.
Choosing a Storage Unit Built for Fire Season
Pick a unit size with enough room for your things without having to stack them tight against the walls or the door. This way, nothing is fighting for airflow or access if you need to grab it fast. Our size guide can help you find the right fit.
Prepare for Fire Season with Saf Keep Storage
Fire season isn’t something to leave to chance. Saf Keep Storage has facilities across California, from the Bay Area and Central Valley to Los Angeles and Ventura County, each built with the security features that help protect your belongings during fire season. Find your nearest California Saf Keep Storage location online and get your unit ready before fire season starts.
