As wildfires rage, forecasters test new way to warn people near flames

Improved warnings are important but could also create a false sense of security among emergency responders, said Sarah McCaffrey, a retired research social scientist with the U.S. Forest Service.“ Most of the fires that are deadly — they’re deadly because from the moment of ignition to when they affect a lot of people is a very short time period,” she said. “There can be an underlying assumption that time will be on the side of the people making the warnings.”
There is also no guarantee people will receive a warning, even if one is issued quickly.