If you have a hazardous materials fire while driving, you should:

• A. Not attempt to control the fire
• B. Attempt to extinguish immediately
• C. Pull over and fight the fire with others
• D. Continue driving away from the fire

Answer: (A)

When a hazmat fire is happening on the road, your top priority is safety and preventing the situation from getting worse. You should not try to control or extinguish the fire yourself. Hazmat fires can involve unknown chemicals, unpredictable reactions, and dangerous fumes, and you likely don’t have the right training, equipment, or information to manage it safely. Attempting to fight the fire could trap you, expose you to toxic vapors, or cause an explosion.

The safer course is to stop at a safe location as soon as you can do so without putting yourself at additional risk, evacuate to a safe distance, and call emergency responders for trained personnel to handle the incident. Driving away while the fire is active isn’t reliable or safe, and trying to suppress it with others or with improvised methods can escalate danger rather than contain it. Prioritizing distance from the hazard and notifying professionals is the appropriate response.