disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises running uphill to escape a wildfire because fire moves downhill

ID: disaster/wildfire-run-uphill-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
93%Fix Rate
89%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-09-12First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
NIFC Fire Safety 2023 active — — —
CAL FIRE Evacuation Guide 2.0 active — — —

Root Cause

Wildfires spread faster uphill due to preheating of fuels and convection; running uphill can trap you against the fire front or in a chimney effect.

generic

中文

由于燃料预热和对流，野火向上坡蔓延更快；跑向山上可能使您被困在火锋前或烟囱效应中。

Official Documentation

https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-safety

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Move perpendicular to the fire's path (sideways) to a cleared area, road, or body of water; never run uphill directly away. 
    Move perpendicular to the fire's path (sideways) to a cleared area, road, or body of water; never run uphill directly away.
  2. 75% success If trapped, find a depression or area with minimal vegetation, cover yourself with a fire-resistant blanket, and call 911. 
    If trapped, find a depression or area with minimal vegetation, cover yourself with a fire-resistant blanket, and call 911.

中文步骤

  1. 垂直于火势路径（侧向）移动到空旷区域、道路或水体；切勿直接向上坡跑。
  2. 如果被困，寻找植被最少的洼地，用防火毯覆盖自己，并拨打911。

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 95% fail

    Assuming that fire only moves downhill; fire can move uphill at up to 14 mph, faster than a human can run.

  2. 85% fail

    Running uphill into a canyon or ridge can funnel fire into a chimney effect, intensifying heat.

  3. 80% fail

    Choosing a route through dense vegetation; this provides more fuel and slows escape.