# AI advises sheltering in a creek or river during a wildfire to avoid burns (flash flooding and drowning risk)

- **ID:** `disaster/wildfire-creek-shelter-myth`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 75%

## Root Cause

Wildfires can trigger flash floods in creeks and rivers due to burned soil repelling water, and the water's temperature can rise rapidly from radiant heat, causing burns or drowning.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| wildfire-season-2024 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Evacuate early to a designated safe zone, preferably a firebreak or cleared area away from vegetation and water bodies. Use the command `curl -s https://wildfire-alerts.example.com/api/v1/shelters?lat=34.0522&lon=-118.2437` to find nearby shelters.** (85% success)
   ```
   Evacuate early to a designated safe zone, preferably a firebreak or cleared area away from vegetation and water bodies. Use the command `curl -s https://wildfire-alerts.example.com/api/v1/shelters?lat=34.0522&lon=-118.2437` to find nearby shelters.
   ```
2. **If trapped, find a depression or ditch away from water and cover yourself with mineral soil (not organic matter) to reflect heat. Use the formula for thermal protection: depth (cm) = 10 * log10(radiant_flux_kW/m²) to estimate required soil depth.** (70% success)
   ```
   If trapped, find a depression or ditch away from water and cover yourself with mineral soil (not organic matter) to reflect heat. Use the formula for thermal protection: depth (cm) = 10 * log10(radiant_flux_kW/m²) to estimate required soil depth.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Does not address the risk of flash flooding or water temperature; smoke inhalation is secondary to direct burn risks (95% fail)
- **** — Disturbs natural water flow and increases drowning risk; no protection from radiant heat (98% fail)
- **** — Plastic melts and can cause severe burns; does not prevent submersion in hot water (99% fail)