One of the things that a well managed crew on a fireline is well aware of is their escape route(s). Fires can flare up, the wind can change in both direction and intensity, and you may need to bug out fast. One of the better options in to get into the burned area. You will be safe there.

Don't tr and outrun a fire, especially uphill. Anytime you are uphill from a wild fire, especially in steep gullies or canyons, you are in a precarious position. Those canyons act as chimneys and the fire can flash upwards at incredible speeds.

In high winds, realistically there is no such a thing as a secure fireline. high winds can throw burning embers a mile or two ahead of the main fire, igniting secondary blazes which can spread rapidly.

Unless you engaged in fire suppression, you don't want to be anywhere near a burn. Smoke and ash render the locale vastly unpleasant, anyway. The biggest issue is getting reliable information on the location of the fire and its projected path. One of the most important variables is wind speed and direction.

This is one reason authorities will close parks or forests to public entry during times of high fire danger, even without a going fire. Respect those closures.