Can You Survive a Wildfire?

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Last updated · 15 min play time

If you were faced with the danger and unpredictability of a wildfire, would you know how to live through it? This quiz tests your knowledge of how to survive fearsome blazes that start in the wilderness and spread like, well, wildfire.

Wildfire Survival Skills Quiz Questions

30 Questions · 1.3K Plays · 1 Comment

Question 1

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

Question 2

Wildfires, most often caused by lightning or uncaring humans, create their own heat, which helps them spread. What is the biggest danger for structures in the vicinity of a wildfire?

  • A
    Burning embers
  • B
    Dangerous smoke and fumes
  • C
    Raging flames pushed forward by winds aloft
  • D
    Stampedes of panicked animals trying to escape the fire

Question 3

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

Question 4

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

Question 5

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.

Question 6

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.

Question 7

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.

Question 8

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

Question 9

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

Question 10

If you have waited to evacuate until a wildfire is near to your residence, what is the safest course of action?

  • A
    Call 9-1-1 and ask for emergency help.
  • B
    Leave anyway, no matter how close the blaze.
  • C
    Organize a group of people to form a sort of human shield and defense line.
  • D
    Stay inside your home.

Question 11

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.

Question 12

The fire front has arrived, and you are caught in your vehicle. What steps should you take?

  • A
    Turn off your vehicle, and phone everyone you know.
  • B
    Phone emergency services to ask for rescue.
  • C
    Keep the vehicle running, put the air conditioning on recirculation, roll up all windows, and close all vents.
  • D
    Abandon your vehicle and run.

Question 13

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.

Question 14

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.

Question 15

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

Question 16

Your house is in a wildfire-prone area. In addition to preparing a defensible space around your home's exterior, what other step will help protect your dwelling?

  • A
    Dig a trench around your property.
  • B
    Use nonflammable paint on the exterior.
  • C
    Spread lots of mulch around your house.
  • D
    Install 1/8-inch screens over all vents to keep embers out.

Question 17

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.

Question 18

What important documents should you pack in your wildfire survival kit?

  • A
    Bills and credit card statements
  • B
    Any advertisements about new homes, because you might need one after the fire
  • C
    Insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, and licenses
  • D
    Red Cross fliers, because you could need help

Question 19

You should designate a safe room, away from windows if possible, if you stay during a wildfire. In addition to food and water, what are some other items you should keep in this room?

  • A
    Television and comfortable furniture for lounging
  • B
    Fire extinguisher, shovel, axe, gloves, and sturdy clothing and shoes
  • C
    Wood furniture you can hide behind and use to cover windows
  • D
    Blankets and cotton bed sheets with which to cover yourself

Question 20

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

Question 21

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.

Question 22

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

Question 23

If you are caught by a wildfire while on foot, either camping or hiking, what is the first thing you should attend to in order to raise your odds of survival?

  • A
    Your mental state
  • B
    Calling the police
  • C
    Drinking a bottle of water
  • D
    Ensuring your shoes are tied so you will not trip when you run

Question 24

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.

Question 25

If you are threatened by a wildfire while on foot, what are the most dangerous places to be?

  • A
    Uphill from the fire and downwind of the blaze
  • B
    Anywhere outside
  • C
    Under trees and near shrubs and bushes
  • D
    In front of the approaching flames

Question 26

Use the wind as your guide if threatened by a wildfire while on foot. If the wind is blowing toward the fire and past you, which direction should you run?

  • A
    Sideways, parallel with the flames
  • B
    Stop, drop, and roll
  • C
    Into the wind
  • D
    With the wind, toward the flames

Question 27

Again using the wind as a guide to the best way to escape a wildfire on foot, if the wind is blowing toward you and is behind the flames, fanning them forward, what should you do?

  • A
    Turn your back on the wildfire and run as fast as you can.
  • B
    Run perpendicular to the flames.
  • C
    Squat behind the largest boulder you can find.
  • D
    Dial 9-1-1 repeatedly, asking for helicopter evacuation.

Question 28

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

Question 29

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.

Question 30

What does fire need to burn?

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

Comments (1)

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Very informative!!!

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