You may not need to be in buffed physical shape, but to have a chance against a wildfire you do need to be able to withstand the emotional and physical stresses of engaging in such a dangerous task. Should the fire approach the heat load may become severe, and the air will be thick with toxic smoke and blowing embers that will burn through clothes and cause real injury. The largest cause of death among firefighters engaged in a wildfire incident is over-stress-heart failure in other words. It's no light matter.

Injuries to the respiratory tract, mouth, nasal passages, throat and lungs, are almost a given in a wildfire. Most of the smoke particles are small enough to lodge deep in the lungs causing immediate breathing problems and possible long-term damage. Filter protection for mouth and nose is called for. (See Mangan, Mitigating Risks to Firefighters.) Eye protection is a close second. Irritation and stoppage of tear ducts are common problems. Burns anywhere about the eye are serious.