How do people respond to forest fires?

In any bushfire situation, there are a number of responses. The people affected by the February 2009 bushfires in Victoria were divided between these responses: * Follow the evacuation plan early, and get out, with minimal luggage. * Wait and see what the fires were going to do before choosing to evacuate. This response caused a lot of deaths, as people fleeing found their ability to see on the roads severely hampered by the thick smoke. Some people were killed in multi-car pileups as a result. Many people saw the fires coming, chose to leave, but the incredible speed of the fire front caught them before they could leave. * Stay and fight. This response also resulted in so many deaths. Bushfires had been fought on the homefront and won previously. Some people underestimated the severity of the fires, and believed they could water down their houses and survive. For more information on the Government's response to the bushfires, see the Excellent answer given to the question - http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_Australian_Prime_Minister_Kevin_Rudd_doing_in_response_to_the_Victoria_bushfires