Can You Withstand The Flames Of This Wildfire Quiz?

What are important items to have in the event of a wildfire evacuation?

• A
  Map, medications, clothing, cash and/or credit cards, important documents, and pet supplies, including food and water
• B
  Toiletries and hair styling supplies so you will look your best away from home
• C
  Books, a book light, and a soft blanket
• D
  Lots of beer and/or wine and a battery-powered television so you can stay entertained

If you live in a wildfire zone and may have to face evacuation, what practical steps do you need to have in place before evacuation is necessary?

• A
  Specify who will call 9-1-1 and who will buy lots of camping gear at the local sporting goods shop.
• B
  Plan a place to shelter and designate a meeting place if you and your family are separated.
• C
  Write a grocery list and buy a phone charger for your vehicle.
• D
  Know hours of your bank and closest grocery store so you can get money and food quickly.

Since you must protect your airways in order to survive, what are two steps to take that can help you stay alive and escape?

• A
  Scream for help and hide behind a tree.
• B
  Drink a bottle of water and run as fast as possible.
• C
  Douse yourself with water and squat behind the largest rock you can find.
• D
  Stay as low to the ground as possible and cover your nose and mouth with wet cloth.

If a wildfire is approaching your area, is it better to evacuate early or wait until the last minute to see if it turns?

• A
  Early
• B
  Late
• C
  Wait for the police to escort you out
• D
  I will not leave my home unoccupied!

What is a way that alien, invasive plants such as kudzu contribute to the spread and degree of destructiveness of wildfires?

• A
  They are ugly, so people set fires deliberately to destroy them.
• B
  They cling to trees and form "ladders" so surface fires can jump to trees.
• C
  They are drier than native plants and therefore burn easier.
• D
  They choke native plants and kill them, making them excellent fuel for wildfires.

Once you have prepared your property for disastrous blazes, how do you personally ready yourself and your family for potential danger?

• A
  Shop for stylish new clothes so you can look fashionable no matter what.
• B
  Buy lots of beer and an extra phone charger.
• C
  Let others know not to telephone you if they hear of a wildfire in your vicinity because you will be too busy monitoring the situation to accept calls.
• D
  Put an emergency supply kit in a backpack for each person who might need to escape.

What is a further way to help yourself and family members stay safe when a wildfire is approaching if you must go out?

• A
  Forget plans. If danger is near, we might as well live it up while we can.
• B
  Find out what plans are in place for various frequented locations, e.g. work, school, places of worship, grocery store.
• C
  Build an underground bunker and lock everyone inside.
• D
  Hide all sets of car keys.

If you are in a wildfire-prone area, how do you begin to create a safe zone around your home?

• A
  Put netting over everything.
• B
  Store flammable materials, including chemicals as well as wood and brushy plants, at least 30 feet from your home, and trim trees and low branches.
• C
  Build a wood fence around your property.
• D
  Protect your lawns and home in a plastic cover, rather like Mad Max's Thunderdome.

What are good ways to get yourself and your family ready for a wildfire before danger threatens?

• A
  Teach everyone to use a fire extinguisher, prepare a family emergency plan everyone knows, and keep common items that can be used as fire tools handy.
• B
  Ensure everyone has a charger for his or her mobile phone as well as an extra change of clothes.
• C
  Teach everyone to meditate.
• D
  Make sure everyone is in good physical shape.

Fires spread in three main patterns. Two of the patterns are ground and crown fires. Can you name the third?

• A
  Oxygen-fueled fires
• B
  Atmospheric fires
• C
  Accidental fires
• D
  Surface fires

You are in a vehicle and the wildfire front is looming near with heavy smoke billowing over the road. What are the immediate measures you should take to continue driving as safely as possible?

• A
  Abandon your vehicle and run.
• B
  Crank heavy metal music and drive as fast as possible, smoke or no.
• C
  Stop in the road.
• D
  Slow down, watch for escaping people, livestock, and wildlife, do not drive through heavy smoke, and keep the radio on for news.

What does fire need to burn?

• A
  Sparks
• B
  Matches
• C
  Flammable substances such as chemicals
• D
  Heat, oxygen, and fuel

The wildfire danger has passed your home, and you can return. What are some immediate steps to take?

• A
  Inspect the roof for embers, put out spot fires around your house, and establish a 24-hour rotating fire watch among family members.
• B
  Relieve your stress with a hot bath, beer or wine, and some television.
• C
  Call family and friends.
• D
  Move furniture back into place, put up window coverings, and clean the house.

Before a wildfire threatens your home, what business details should you ensure are up to date?

• A
  Make sure you have enough leave time at your job in case you have to evacuate.
• B
  Review and possibly update your home insurance policy, and keep a current list of your possessions, along with photographs.
• C
  Buy burial plots at the local cemetery.
• D
  Buy a new fire insurance policy the day you are ordered to evacuate.

There are many types of woodland firefighters working both behind the scenes and on the front lines to minimize the damage done by unplanned, harmful wildfires. What is the name of the group of wildland firefighters you see on the ground most often on news coverage?

• A
  Aerial extinguishers
• B
  Blaze suppression specialists
• C
  Handcrews
• D
  Hellfighters

If you have large trees near your home, how can you decrease the chances of fire danger without removing them?

• A
  Leave them as they are.
• B
  Remove dead branches, prune carefully, and rake up leaves and fallen limbs and twigs.
• C
  Cover them with tarpaulins.
• D
  Wet them down every 30 minutes.

What is one of the main toxic gases present in wildfire smoke?

• A
  Carbon monoxide
• B
  Osmium tetroxide
• C
  Disulfur decafluoride
• D
  Tungsten hexafluoride

If you are caught outside by a wildfire and have bit more time, what quick preparations will help you survive?

• A
  Go back to your tent, close the flaps, and get inside your sleeping bag.
• B
  Lie down on the ground and cover yourself with a plastic tarpaulin or raincoat.
• C
  Run toward your vehicle.
• D
  Clear an area 200 to 300 feet around you for a safe zone, or find a body of water to put between you and the flames.

If you do stay in your home as a wildfire approaches, what do you need plenty of?

• A
  Water
• B
  Beer
• C
  Food
• D
  Batteries

How do prescribed fires help minimize ecological damage from wildfires?

• A
  Control animal overcrowding by pushing some animals to new areas
• B
  Reduce the effort animals must make in order to graze
• C
  Remove excessive brush and trees, encourage new growth, and help fire-dependent trees, plants, and insects
• D
  Allow young firefighters to practice techniques

What are the two most common reasons that wildfires start?

• A
  Lightning and human negligence and inattentiveness
• B
  Spontaneous combustion and erosion
• C
  Who cares? If it is threatening my area, maybe I will get off work!
• D
  Animals knocking flames over and crowded brushlands

How do you create a fire-safe zone around your home?

• A
  Remove and keep all flammable materials, natural and chemical, at least 30 feet away from your dwelling.
• B
  Cover everything with wire mesh.
• C
  Install fire extinguishers at the front and back of your home.
• D
  Thoroughly wet everything daily.

If you are caught outdoors hiking or camping and are suddenly threatened with a wildfire, what are some quick preparations you can make to protect yourself?

• A
  Stand still and kneel down.
• B
  Immediately dial 9-1-1.
• C
  Get as far away as possible from flammable vegetation, and wet natural materials for use to cover yourself and breathe through.
• D
  Run as fast as you can away from the fire.

Why are trees and plants close to your home dangerous in a wildfire-prone area?

• A
  Carefully pruned shapes could be damaged if the wildfire comes close.
• B
  You need to spend a lot of money buying multiples of each in case some die in the flames and radiant heat.
• C
  The wildfire might kill them.
• D
  They fuel wildfires.

There is a philosophy regarding wildfires called "stay and defend." To be successful with this strategy and survive, what four elements do homeowners need?

• A
  Faith, hope, a manicured lawn, and a clean interior
• B
  Food, water, a plastic suit when going outside, and a battery-operated radio
• C
  Good neighbors, plenty of food, a water hose and shovel, and lots of beer
• D
  Knowledge of fire fighting, readiness, prepared defensible space around the home, and mental preparedness

Regarding your animal companions, should your family have to leave your home quickly, how can you help the animals get out safely as well?

• A
  Decide that evacuating is too dangerous for everyone, so have a designated room in your home where all people and animals gather.
• B
  Open all the doors and windows, hoping they will run out to safety.
• C
  In an emergency situation, it is everyone for his- or herself.
• D
  Have a carrier for each smaller animal as well as collars and leashes for larger animals, and assign each family member the responsibility of getting an animal to safety.

Whether you evacuate or stay during a wildfire, what are recommended steps to take in your home's interior to help protect it from wildfire?

• A
  Close windows and doors, remove window dressings, move furniture away from windows and doors, and turn off gas at the meter.
• B
  Clean thoroughly, close all curtains and blinds, and unplug appliances.
• C
  Cover your furniture with plastic and wet everything down.
• D
  Nothing, as you should focus all efforts on the outside.

If escaping a wildfire on foot, where should you head?

• A
  The nearest road
• B
  An area free of trees and brush, a body of water, or an area that has already burned
• C
  The closest truck stop or service station
• D
  To your tent, covering yourself with your sleeping bag

What other natural disasters may follow in the path of a destructive wildfire?

• A
  Increased risks for hurricanes
• B
  Erosion, flash flooding, and landslides
• C
  Hail storms
• D
  Thunderstorms and tornadoes

When you are devising your family emergency plan in the event you have to evacuate before a wildfire, what is the most effective and efficient way to know everyone is safe if you are separated?

• A
  Give everyone a flare gun.
• B
  Carry a bullhorn with you and stop by the roadside on the most popular way out of your city or town and yell your family's names.
• C
  Make everyone stay at home the minute you hear of a wildfire's potential approach to your area.
• D
  Designate an out-of-town contact everyone knows how to reach so all can check in.

If your home is built primarily with wood, and it is in a wildfire-prone area, what is the best way to fireproof your property without rebuilding everything?

• A
  Treat wood surfaces such as fences, decks, and porches with fireproof chemicals.
• B
  Wet everything down daily.
• C
  Build a moat around your property and fill it with water.
• D
  Set up a regular drive-by patrol with police.

In addition to tiny mesh screens, how can you further safeguard your home against wildfires?

• A
  Fill buckets with water, ready to douse any flames or sparks.
• B
  Close all curtains and blinds if a wildfire is approaching.
• C
  Use nonflammable or fire-resistant materials, clean the roof and gutters regularly, and keep a long garden hose handy.
• D
  Surround your property with a wood fence.

How can bulldozers help stop wildfires from advancing?

• A
  They create firelines faster than humans can.
• B
  They are not susceptible to smoke and can get closer to the fire front.
• C
  They do not get tired and can continue to operate.
• D
  They can transport multiple firefighters away from the fire if needed.

What are some items you should include in emergency supply kits for your animal companions?

• A
  A whistle, snacks, and a brush
• B
  A portable television for amusement
• C
  Photocopies of medical records, medications, bowls, food and water, and a first-aid kit
• D
  Since nobody is evacuating, no matter what, my animal companions do not need emergency supplies

What is a home ignition zone?

• A
  Areas you cannot easily reach with a hose or a fire extinguisher
• B
  An area between 30 to 100 feet around your house that can help feed wildfires if flammable materials are present
• C
  Your home itself, including porches and patios
• D
  Everywhere outside of your property line

How long can forest fires, or wildfires, last?

• A
  One day
• B
  A week
• C
  So long as I get time off from work, who cares?
• D
  Months

In what weather conditions are wildfires more likely to start and threaten homes, animals, and trees and vegetation?

• A
  Wintry
• B
  Blustery and windy
• C
  Rainy and wet
• D
  Hot and dry

If you live in an area prone to wildfires, why is it important to cover every possible opening in your home, including vents and under porches and floors, with 1/8-inch mesh screens?

• A
  Burning debris and embers from a wildfire can travel as far as 1.5 miles away.
• B
  It discourages burglars.
• C
  They discourage small animals from entering and perhaps getting trapped.
• D
  The screens make your dwelling look nicer.

If a wildfire is threatening your area, even if you evacuate early, you could get caught by flames while in your vehicle due to fire's unpredictable nature. If this happens, what steps can you quickly take to prepare for the coming firestorm?

• A
  If possible, park under an overpass, close all outside vents, raise all windows, and cover yourself with natural fabrics.
• B
  Get out of the car and lay on the ground so you can stay as cool as possible.
• C
  Open all vents and lower all windows so you can gulp all the fresh air you can.
• D
  Park under a tree and crawl under the car.

If you cannot evacuate your home when a wildfire is threatening, what should you do?

• A
  Wet down the interior of your home and everyone inside.
• B
  Open all windows and doors and move all furniture against the walls, leaving a clear space in the middle of the room for everyone to sleep.
• C
  Get everyone into the garage, where you have easy access to your vehicle should you panic and decide to leave at the last minute.
• D
  Call 9-1-1 and give authorities your location and the number of people and animals in your home, and describe any special assistance needed.

Why do experts recommend you leave interior lights on in your home during a wildfire?

• A
  If your home is going to burn, you may as well get the last use from your interior lights.
• B
  Lighted interiors create more cheerful conditions, giving everyone courage.
• C
  Firefighters are able to see your dwelling, even in smoke.
• D
  You can see where you are going, even in thick smoke.

What do experts mean when they refer to a "home ignition zone" in reference to wildfires?

• A
  The official limits of cities and towns
• B
  A space of 30 to 100 feet around a house
• C
  From the mailbox by the road to the front door
• D
  From front and back porches to inside the structure

When firefighters are battling a wildfire, they will attempt to slow the fire's advance by creating a fireline. What is this?

• A
  An area moistened by hoses to slow the fire
• B
  A ditch filled with water
• C
  A row of firefighters, all holding hoses
• D
  A linear area scraped down to the soil and cleared of vegetation

How do wildfires specifically help forests and trigger forest renewal?

• A
  They help shift winds aloft that could harm trees and plant life.
• B
  They chase out people and animals that threaten the trees.
• C
  They incinerate and remove leaf litter and dead wood.
• D
  They create more oxygen.

What natural factors make wildfires so difficult to control?

• A
  Inability to break through heavy brush and lack of knowledge about the location of flames
• B
  High temperatures, drought, and low humidity
• C
  Destructive humans and their cruel intentions
• D
  Flammable roof tiles and non-fire-retardant construction materials

If you must escape a wildfire, how much food and water for each person and animal companion should you bring with you?

• A
  One-day supply
• B
  Five-week supply
• C
  Two-month supply
• D
  Three-day supply

What single factor most contributes to the unpredictable nature of wildfires?

• A
  Wind
• B
  Hours of sunlight
• C
  Amount of water vapor in the air
• D
  Density of forests

Once the wildfire front has passed your vehicle and the immediate danger is over, it is time to move. If your vehicle is not operational, you need to get out and walk to find help. What is a big danger now, especially if you are on foot?

• A
  Burning trees that may drop branches
• B
  Frightened wildlife and livestock
• C
  Angry insects that may swarm
• D
  Sudden and unexpected lightning

Wildfires create their own heat, called radiant heat. How does this play into the life cycle of a wildfire?

• A
  Radiant heat helps wildfires keep burning.
• B
  Radiant heat uses up oxygen faster, causing the blaze to go out.
• C
  Radiant heat plays no part.
• D
  Radiant heat slows wildfires down.

You have probably seen the huge billows of smoke that wildfires produce, but do you know what wildfire smoke is?

• A
  Black and smelly, that's what it is!
• B
  Used oxygen particles
• C
  Fine particles from burning materials and gases
• D
  Particles of molybdenum and antimony

If you are caught outside as a wildfire roars toward you, how can you further protect yourself and manage to breathe?

• A
  Grab a paper sack and breathe into it whilst quickly walking away from the fire.
• B
  Shelter in a low ditch or a rocky area, as clearer air in a fire is lower.
• C
  Lie face down on a grassy area, limbs splayed to stay as cool as possible.
• D
  Climb a tree.

What is a wildfire front?

• A
  The part burning the tops of trees and that generates a great deal of smoke
• B
  The part with continuous flames where unburned material meets the fire
• C
  The section pointing north
• D
  The side of the fire that is not the back

At what time during a 24-hour period do wildfires burn most intensely?

• A
  Early morning hours, before 5 a.m.
• B
  Twilight
• C
  Midnight
• D
  Day

In a wildfire-prone area, what is the best type of fence to repel advancing flames?

• A
  None
• B
  Metal hurricane fencing
• C
  Wood
• D
  Stone or rock

While naturally occurring wildfires can benefit ecosystems, unnatural blazes started by uncaring and negligent humans can do great harm and cause many deaths. What percentage of wildfires are started by thoughtless, uncaring humans?

• A
  About 1 percent
• B
  About 80 percent
• C
  10 percent
• D
  5 percent

Why do firefighters who are trying to control and extinguish a wildfire sometimes light controlled fires in specific places?

• A
  It gives them something to do.
• B
  The controlled fires burn up potential fuel for the main fire, starving it of energy.
• C
  The controlled fires rush forward to meet the main blaze, slowing its advance.
• D
  The controlled fires show people which way the main fire is going.

Wildfires are unpredictable. If you are evacuating and get caught in your vehicle and must stop driving, where is the safest place to park?

• A
  Where you stop
• B
  Turn around and try to outrun the fire in your vehicle
• C
  Behind a solid structure
• D
  Under a tree

What are effective ways to detect wildfires early?

• A
  Listening for burning timber and noticing unusual heat in the atmosphere
• B
  Campers and hikers who phone authorities to report a wildfire
• C
  Park rangers watching for animal stampedes out of forested areas
• D
  Ground and aerial patrols, lookout towers, and electronic camera systems

The wildfire is imminent, and you are trapped in your vehicle. Resisting the urge to panic and run, what should you do?

• A
  Phone absent family members and friends.
• B
  Get on the floor, cover yourself with natural fibers, and drink water if you have it.
• C
  Call for help and watch the flames approach.
• D
  Call a radio station to provide a live update on the wildfire's location.

How can firefighting crews reduce their risks of falling victim to wildfires and smoke?

• A
  Drink plenty of water
• B
  Stay at least 50 feet away from the wildfire in any given direction
• C
  Work quickly to reduce exposure time
• D
  Rotate shifts in very smoky areas and do not fight downwind of the fire

How are animal populations affected by wildfires?

• A
  The sharp instincts of animals allow most of them to escape the flames.
• B
  Both large and small animals create tunnels and hunker down.
• C
  They do not affect animals at all.
• D
  Large herds of animals stampede into neighborhoods and across highways.

Because preparation is one of the keys to wildfire survival, once the area around your home is trimmed and cleared, what other steps can you take to further defend your property--and possibly your life?

• A
  Put up a sign reading "Save this property," and during a fire, use a bullhorn to contact firefighters.
• B
  Install a rock or stone wall around your property, and if able, reroof with composition material, metal, or tile.
• C
  Wet everything down every 20 minutes.
• D
  Install an 8-foot-tall pine fence around your property and teach others they should always put out campfires.