Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with trapped by wildfire, use emergency mode.
Do this nowThis content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wildfire surrounds you on a road, in a field, or in a building with no safe exit.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
In car: park clear area, windows up, call 112. On foot: low ground, cloth over mouth.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flames visible on both sides of road or approaching ridge.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Extreme heat, roaring sound, and darkness from smoke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vehicle stalled in evacuation traffic surrounded by fire.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fire fronts pass quickly but produce lethal heat and smoke — shelter strategy matters.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Clear ground with no vegetation burns less intensely than brush.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If in vehicle — pull off road into bare ground or parking lot if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Turn off engine, close windows and vents, lie on floor covered with cloth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 with location — stay on line.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay in vehicle until heat pulse passes unless vehicle catches fire.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Survive until rescue. Vehicle shelter is often safer than running through flame front.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 — say "trapped by wildfire" and share GPS or landmark.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe vehicle color or clothing if air rescue searching.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Conserve phone battery after initial call — respond to callbacks.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT run uphill through unburned brush ahead of fire.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT hide in dry culvert or wooden structure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT leave vehicle unless it is actively on fire and clear ground is steps away.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Outrun the fire front on foot through the forest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wildfire spreads faster than people run uphill. Shelter in place in car or cleared ground and call for help.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Mixed chemicals
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bleach and acid, bleach and ammonia, or other cleaners were mixed and fumes are rising.
CO alarm
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your carbon monoxide detector is beeping or alarming.
CO poisoning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning from heater, generator, or enclosed fire.
Child electrical shock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child has touched an electrical socket, bitten a cord, or pulled a live plug.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If on foot and no vehicle — lie face-down in cleared ditch or already-burned area.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cover mouth with damp cloth. Minimize exposed skin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — When flame front passes, move to already-burned ground and wait for rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rescue by fire or emergency services required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Burns and smoke inhalation need immediate hospital care after rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Caught in flame front while running.