Current and past fire behavior often does not indicate the potential fire behavior that could occur. This seems to surprise firefighters most often in live fuels. Escape route effectiveness should be considered in relation to potential maximum-intensity fire behavior rather than past or present fire behavior. The underburned Gambel oak did not contribute to the blowup. It was significant in that it did not provide a safety zone.
Smoke can significantly reduce the firefighter's abilities to sense changes in fire behavior.