If a fire starts growing quickly, you won’t be able to outrun it. Fire typically moves faster uphill than it does downhill. Avoid being at the top of a ridge with a wildfire below.

If you find yourself surrounded by smoke, especially dense smoke, it’s time to react. If you awaken to smoke-filled air, try to see which way the smoke is flowing. Use that to determine which direction to go. Do not hike toward the flow of the smoke.

If the smoke column is well off the trail and not in the direction you’re heading, proceed with extreme caution. Watch the column. Wind can make wildfire change directions in an instant. Usually, fires are pushed by prevailing winds (normally a southwesterly flow in the west), but winds in the mountains are frequently erratic. During autumn, we usually get north-easterlies. These are hot, dry, strong winds. If you see smoke in front of you and these winds are blowing in your face, the fire will be coming straight at you.

If you are at the heel of the fire (near its point of origin) or on one of the flanks (sides), you will be more able to hike away from it because these areas expand slower than the head of the fire. If the fire is roaring your direction, backtrack and take refuge immediately.

Don’t panic. Think as quickly as you can, take into consideration refuges you have passed, make a plan and act.

Watch for spot fires. These are small fires in front of the head that ignite from embers dropped from the sky or from burning material rolling downhill from the fire itself.

If you are pretty sure you have been seen from the air, stay where you are if it is safe. Firefighters will try to come and get you if they know where you are.

Do not start a “signal” fire to help firefighters locate you. The signal you just ignited can easily become another major fire. It’s happened before.