What should you do if you are near an open fire while your vehicle is placarded?

When you are near an open fire and your vehicle is placarded, the safest course of action is to safely pass the fire without stopping. This is important because vehicles carrying hazardous materials are at an increased risk in the presence of fire, which can ignite the materials and lead to catastrophic consequences.

By passing the fire without stopping, you minimize the time spent in the immediate danger area, reducing the risk of exposure or an incident. It's crucial to maintain a safe speed and be aware of your surroundings to ensure that you do not put yourself or others in harm's way.

In contrast, driving directly through the fire is extremely dangerous and could result in ignition or explosions. Calling emergency services may not be an immediate action you can take while trying to navigate through a hazardous situation. Parking and waiting for the fire to be extinguished could expose you to the hazard for a prolonged period, increasing the risk to yourself and others. Thus, maintaining movement while ensuring safety is the best response in this scenario.