# AI advises crawling low to the ground during a wildfire to avoid smoke inhalation (radiant heat and superheated air risk)

- **ID:** `disaster/wildfire-crawl-low-ground-myth`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

During a wildfire, the ground-level air is superheated to over 300°C and contains lethal radiant heat; crawling low exposes the body to fatal burns and respiratory damage, unlike a smoke-filled building fire where cooler air is at the floor.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NFPA 1144 (2023) | active | — | — |
| CAL FIRE Evacuation Guidelines (2024) | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Evacuate the area immediately when a wildfire warning is issued. Do not attempt to shelter in place unless you have a defensible space and fire-resistant structure.** (95% success)
   ```
   Evacuate the area immediately when a wildfire warning is issued. Do not attempt to shelter in place unless you have a defensible space and fire-resistant structure.
   ```
2. **If trapped, find a cleared area (e.g., a large parking lot, bare rock field) away from vegetation. Lie flat on your back, cover your body with a fire-resistant blanket or dirt, and protect your airway with a dry cloth.** (60% success)
   ```
   If trapped, find a cleared area (e.g., a large parking lot, bare rock field) away from vegetation. Lie flat on your back, cover your body with a fire-resistant blanket or dirt, and protect your airway with a dry cloth.
   ```
3. **Use a fire shelter if you are a trained firefighter; for civilians, never rely on a blanket or clothing as a substitute.** (70% success)
   ```
   Use a fire shelter if you are a trained firefighter; for civilians, never rely on a blanket or clothing as a substitute.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Crawling on hands and knees to stay below smoke layer** — Wildfire smoke rises, but the ground layer is the hottest; radiant heat from the fire front incinerates the skin and lungs at ground level (95% fail)
- **Covering the mouth with a wet cloth while crawling to filter smoke** — The wet cloth does not filter toxic gases and provides no protection from radiant heat; the superheated air still causes fatal airway burns (90% fail)
- **Digging a shallow trench to lie in while crawling** — A shallow trench concentrates radiant heat and may fill with superheated gases, creating a convection oven effect (85% fail)