25
Jan

Wildfires don’t always bring warning. We just have to look at the LA fires in January 2025 to see how quickly they spread while people were out running errands or were at work. So, there are times that you’ll be caught in difficult situations, such as in the car.

A lot of people will keep driving in the attempt to get out of the fire. However, if the smoke becomes so thick that you can’t see past the front of your hood, you need to stop and figure out a new plan.

The Vehicle Will Get Extremely Hot

While if you’re caught in the house, the safest thing to do is to stay inside, the same can’t always be said for in the car. This is going to turn into an oven as the fire spreads around you. If there are any nearby buildings, run straight to them. That’s your best chance of survival.

However, if there are no buildings around, staying inside the vehicle is safer than going outside into the wild. A lot of TV shows and movies have the gas tank exploding, but that’s not likely to happen. It’s the heat that is going to cause problems.

You’ll still want wool blankets, though. Yes, this will insulate you from the heat. Cars can handle up to five minutes of direct flames. They are surprisingly durable compared to what we see on TV!

Park in a Place Without Vegetation

You’ll need to stop, but you need to think about where you’re parking. The safest option is to park where there is no vegetation. If you can get a parking lot or an area that has been levelled and graveled, you will find that the fire has nothing to latch onto and burn around you.

Avoid narrow canyons or wind tunnels. This just leads to the flames going your way. Aim to park close to a cliff or a building to help block the heat you’ll experience. Face the direction of the fire as much as you can as this will also help to minimize some of the heat.

Call 911 and Listen to Instructions

Do you still have cell service? Use it to your advantage to let the first responders know where you are. You can then listen to any instructions that they have for you. This could include staying in your car, but if they know there’s a safer spot, they may direct you to there.

Once you have given your location, stay where you are. If you get cut off from the dispatcher as cell service in wildfires is patchy, the first responders know where you were last located. Thde only time to move is if you need to due to the fire closing in on you.

Once the fire is over, you’ll need to evaluate the situation. If the car starts and the tires aren’t on fire, drive to a safer location.