Published July 20, 2026 04:00 PM
In June, I was driving on a remote highway outside Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument when an SOS message came to my phone. there was a forest fire It’s burning nearby, And campers and hikers on the Arizona National Scenic Trail are being asked to evacuate the area, the message said.
We kept driving, but the shrill sound and dramatic echo of the emergency warning raised a question: If I got caught in a wildfire, would I know what to do?
Experts say this could be one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent U.S. history, citing extreme drought, overstaffing and widespread Forest Service restructuring. So, we called two fire experts – Bill Kaj and Riva Duncan – to get valuable advice on how to act safely if you encounter a wildfire.
Kage started his career As a firefighter in the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho in 1983. He worked in fire management at Everglades National Park in Florida and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California before moving to Boise headquarters to serve as chief of the National Park Service Division of Fire and Aviation before his retirement in 2022. After spending more than three decades working in wildfire, Duncan is now chairman grassroots wildland firefightersAn advocacy group representing the nation’s wildland firefighters. She previously served as a U.S. Forest Service fire chief.
Here’s what he said Outside.
1. I saw a fire in the backcountry. What should I do first?
If you have cell coverage, call 911 first—do not assume a fire has been reported.
“If you have a map or other device you can use to note the location of a fire, you should capture the data for reporting so you can communicate with fire managers when you’re at a location,” Kaage said. Keep an eye on the current and expected weather, and where you are in relation to the fire – are you on the other side of the ridge, above the fire, or down the valley? Note what type of vegetation the fire is burning, such as whether it is grass or bushes.
Are you camping? Start packing. Are you on a hike? Turn around. Assess the pace of your hiking group, and remember that you are only as fast as the slowest hiker.
“Wildfires can move quickly and they can change direction,” Duncan said.
2. I called for help. what now?
If you have called for help, Cage says to make the next plan for your safety and survival. If you can, get to a place where responders can safely find you and stay there until your condition worsens.
“It’s much easier for search and rescue to find people who are not on board. Try to stay in an open area so the aircraft can find you,” Duncan said. “Keep a bright piece of clothing or gear out so it’s easy for them to spot you. If you have to move, stay on developed paths as hunters can also use those paths to find you.”
3. I just received an SOS alert to evacuate my area. should I?
If you receive an SOS alert to evacuate the area, Cage says to follow any instructions or warnings given. Duncan says if you can’t see or smell smoke, it’s probably time to pack your things and leave.
“But if you see or smell smoke, get out as quickly as possible and go in the opposite direction of the fire,” she said. “If the alert doesn’t provide precise information about where the fire is, move downstream, regardless of the way you came or the direction you’re traveling. Try to stay in open areas.”
Some states or counties also allow residents to opt out of wildfire weather updates from officials. Contact your local fire agencies about how to receive text notifications. You can also download Federal Emergency Management Agency App to get real-time updates from the National Weather Service for five locations.
4. I have to escape from the fire. Should I go upwards or downwards?
A common misconception is that a person running upward will escape the fire and escape the flames, but fires often move rapidly upward.
“We all remember that heat rises, so that’s part of it, but also the intense heat from the flames dries out the vegetation growing above, as the fire continues to grow — that dried vegetation now becomes the fuel to fuel the fire,” Duncan said.
Winds in mountainous areas generally blow upward and push fires upward more rapidly. So, go downstairs.
5. Where is the safest place to go if I can’t escape the fire?
It may seem strange to head towards an area that has already burned, but these black spots are one of the safest places to be if you can’t escape a wildfire. Kage points to a well-known mantra in the Agni community: Keep one foot in the black.
“It becomes your zone of safety,” Kaage said. Vegetation is fuel, so it may be safer to find areas without plants or with sparse vegetation.
Wet meadows and marshes can also be safe areas. Rocky scree slopes can provide respite, says Duncan, as long as there is no vegetation growing between the rocks. However, she advises that not all recently burned areas are equally safe.
“A recently burned area may be safe if it has burned “hot,” meaning most of the low-growing vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, small trees has been destroyed,” Duncan said. “Areas that have burned but still have leaves on bushes and leaves or needles on the lower branches of trees can burn again.”
Avoid these areas if possible and be wary of places with dead trees, says Duncan.
“Wildfires are driven by strong winds and can knock down obstacles and even live trees. Areas of last resort may include dirt roads or road ditches,” he said.
6. Are streams and rivers safe?
Movies often depict people hiding in rivers or streams, but winding waterways can also trap heat and smoke in some circumstances.
“Currents are attractive because water carries fire. That being said, if you’re in a steep valley, you can be subject to all modes of heat transfer: convection, conduction, and radiant,” Kaage said. The intense heat that you feel when standing near a campfire can even burn you if you get too close.
In addition to protecting your skin, you also need to protect your airways.
“Fires don’t just burn; they strip oxygen from the air and contain extremely hot gases that can seriously harm or kill you if inhaled,” Duncan said.
If left without other options, Duncan says streams, creeks and rivers can be good places to relax if you’ve considered the above factors. But you can also suffer from hypothermia.
“Your body can be in the water, but you still have to breathe, and if a fire burns above water, there may be no escape. If you have to go in the water, try building a cover or “tent” over your head to keep in some clean air,” she said.
7. Should I drink water or use it to cool myself down?
Stay hydrated.
“Let your body do the work to cool you from the inside out while also making sure you have enough moisture to do everything else you need to do,” Kaage said.
Dehydration can be fatal, and your body needs water to sweat and cool itself from the inside. Excessive dehydration can cause confusion and unconsciousness, making survival even more difficult.
Movies sometimes show people wetting clothes and pressing them with their mouth. This is a big mistake, says Duncan. Heat can create steam that can burn your airways or lungs, so if you’re going to use a cloth to protect your airways, make sure it’s dry.
8. Should I be afraid of falling trees?
People caught in wildfires usually die from smoke or extremely hot air and gases before the flames reach them. Falling trees are also a real concern, and if you have to seek shelter, Duncan and Cage say find as much open space as possible.
“Falling trees and uprooted rocks from vegetation burning are real concerns,” Kage said. “Gravity is one of the five main ways firefighters perish in the line of duty. The others are fire, heart attack, driving and aviation accidents.
9. What weather conditions make fires worse?
Before setting out on your escape route, pay close attention to changing weather conditions.
Is it getting hotter and drier? Are storms likely to occur with downdrafts? Is the wind changing direction or getting stronger? Do you have time to see how the fire is spreading and whether it is becoming more intense? Changes in weather, especially increased heat, dry air or changing winds, can cause wildfires to spread rapidly or change direction unexpectedly.
Duncan says, keep an eye on storms. Cold fronts can also cause dramatic changes in air and drops in humidity that can increase the spread of fires.
Pay attention to weather warning signs. If you notice these changes, reevaluate your route and be prepared to change plans if it’s no longer safe, Kaage says.
10. If I need to run, should I leave my gear?
Cage and Duncan both said to keep your gear as long as it doesn’t hinder your movement. If you’re about to catch fire or are having trouble breathing, consider losing excess weight.
“I’m one of those people who hangs on to their gear because it has safety elements that are there to help me in an emergency. That said, if a fire or airway issues are imminent and speed is most important for personal safety, then lose the extra weight,” Kaage said. “I’m talking about when it meant the difference between perishing and surviving.”
Even if you aren’t hurt, rescue may take hours and having emergency supplies can keep you alive and comfortable. If you have to leave your luggage, Duncan says to bring a water bottle, phone or other means of communication, and a first aid kit.
Another consideration is the fabric of your clothing. Synthetic fabrics melt, which is why wildland firefighters have to wear natural fibers like wool, cotton and silk under their fire shirts and pants.
“I’m a big proponent of hiking clothing made from natural fibers for all kinds of reasons, but potential wildfire is one of them,” Duncan said.
