# AI advises sheltering in a swimming pool during a wildfire to avoid burns

- **ID:** `disaster/wildfire-shelter-in-place-swimming-pool`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 72%

## Root Cause

Swimming pools offer no protection from radiant heat, smoke inhalation, or superheated air; water can boil or become scalding, and embers falling into the pool can cause steam burns; the pool also provides no oxygen filtration from smoke.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| CalFire Ready for Wildfire 2024 | active | — | — |
| NFPA 1144 Standard 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Evacuate early when wildfire is within 5 miles; if trapped, shelter in a cleared area (defensible space) with mineral soil, not water: `python3 -c "import geopy.distance; coords1=(39.5,-121.5); coords2=(39.6,-121.4); dist=geopy.distance.distance(coords1, coords2).miles; print('Evacuate if dist < 5 miles:', dist)"`** (85% success)
   ```
   Evacuate early when wildfire is within 5 miles; if trapped, shelter in a cleared area (defensible space) with mineral soil, not water: `python3 -c "import geopy.distance; coords1=(39.5,-121.5); coords2=(39.6,-121.4); dist=geopy.distance.distance(coords1, coords2).miles; print('Evacuate if dist < 5 miles:', dist)"`
   ```
2. **If no evacuation possible, use a fire-resistant shelter (e.g., fireproof blanket) in a pre-burned area or natural clearing; wet a wool blanket and cover body, but do not submerge in water** (65% success)
   ```
   If no evacuation possible, use a fire-resistant shelter (e.g., fireproof blanket) in a pre-burned area or natural clearing; wet a wool blanket and cover body, but do not submerge in water
   ```
3. **Create a 'survival zone' by clearing all vegetation within 30 feet of a structure, then shelter inside that structure's interior room with closed doors and wet towels under doors** (75% success)
   ```
   Create a 'survival zone' by clearing all vegetation within 30 feet of a structure, then shelter inside that structure's interior room with closed doors and wet towels under doors
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Submerge completely in pool with snorkel to breathe** — Superheated air above the pool (200-400°F) will burn lungs; embers ignite hair and clothing; water may boil from radiant heat (99% fail)
- **Wet a towel and cover face while in pool** — Towel dries instantly in wildfire heat; steam from wet towel scalds face; no protection from smoke inhalation (95% fail)
- **Use pool as a water source to spray on house** — Pool water is stagnant and may contain chlorine that corrodes pumps; spraying can waste water needed for firefighting access (80% fail)