Eli5: why do firefighters wear oxygen masks when fighting a building fire, but often not in a wildfire? You’re still breathing in smoke…

Question

Eli5: why do firefighters wear oxygen masks when fighting a building fire, but often not in a wildfire? You’re still breathing in smoke…

In: 483

Answer 1

Building fires are small in comparison to forest fires, so the firefighters are closer to the flames and smoke, often in enclosed spaces.

Wildland fires in comparison are huge and out in the open. People fighting forest fires generally have to keep a long distance between them and the actual fire. Not necessarily because of the smoke but rather because the fires are huge and can move fast.

The job involves a lot of digging and removal of potential fuel rather than attempting to quench the flames.