What is the role of "fire shelters" in wildfire safety?

Fire shelters are critical safety devices designed to provide temporary refuge for firefighters who find themselves trapped or overrun by fire. These shelters are constructed from materials that reflect heat and have a high degree of thermal protection, allowing firefighters to protect themselves in life-threatening situations caused by intense heat or flames.

When conditions change rapidly due to a fire's behavior, firefighters may not have time to escape the fire zone. In such cases, deploying a fire shelter can mean the difference between life and death. Fire shelters are typically lightweight, portable, and can be deployed quickly, enabling firefighters to seek immediate shelter from extreme conditions, thus ensuring their survival until the threat subsides.

Other options do not accurately describe the function of fire shelters. For instance, distracting wildlife is not a function of fire shelters; rather, their primary purpose is personal safety. Storing firefighting equipment is not relevant, as the focus of fire shelters is on individual safety rather than equipment management. Additionally, signaling for help can be important in a firefighting context, but fire shelters are not designed for this purpose; their primary function is to provide refuge from fire.