# AI advises soaking clothes in water before fleeing a wildfire for protection (evaporative cooling failure and steam burns)

- **ID:** `disaster/wildfire-soak-clothes-water`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 78%

## Root Cause

Wet clothing rapidly evaporates in wildfire heat, providing only brief cooling that fails within minutes; the heated water can turn to steam and cause severe burns against the skin.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| 2024.0 | active | — | — |
| 2025.1 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Wear dry, tightly woven cotton or wool clothing that covers all skin (long sleeves, long pants, gloves, hat, and a mask or cloth over your face).** (85% success)
   ```
   Wear dry, tightly woven cotton or wool clothing that covers all skin (long sleeves, long pants, gloves, hat, and a mask or cloth over your face).
   ```
2. **Use a fire-resistant blanket or shelter (e.g., Mylar emergency blanket) to shield yourself from radiant heat while evacuating.** (88% success)
   ```
   Use a fire-resistant blanket or shelter (e.g., Mylar emergency blanket) to shield yourself from radiant heat while evacuating.
   ```
3. **If trapped, find a clear area with minimal vegetation, lie face down, and cover your body with dirt or a fire shelter; never run uphill or through dense brush.** (80% success)
   ```
   If trapped, find a clear area with minimal vegetation, lie face down, and cover your body with dirt or a fire shelter; never run uphill or through dense brush.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Wearing multiple layers of wet clothing for extra insulation** — Multiple wet layers trap steam against the body, dramatically increasing burn severity; they also add weight and reduce mobility. (90% fail)
- **Dousing yourself with water right before running through flames** — The water evaporates almost instantly in the fire's radiant heat, leaving you unprotected; the steam created can scald your skin. (85% fail)
- **Using a wet towel wrapped around your head and face** — A wet towel can slip off during running and provides no protection from radiant heat; it may also restrict breathing if it shifts. (80% fail)