While shooting a grass fire recently I was warned by a Commander to be careful. “No worries,” I told him, “I’m watching for hotspots, keeping out of your way. Thanks for the heads up though.” “Not that” he says, “it just burned up a huge stand of poison oak!”
Needles to say when I got home I stripped down and hit the shower!
TIP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: when encountering poison oak, be sure to shower in COLD water, not hot. Hot water opens your pores and allows the oil to soak into your blood stream, wherein the itchies will get’cha! Rinse several times, then soap several times, then hit the hot water if you must. Personally I love hot showers!
Another good idea is to wipe down your cameras with some baby wipes, making sure to be thorough, as smoke gets everywhere, carrying along the oil that makes you itch. It is also recommended to use a water/rubbing alcohol mixture to remove the oil. This does not deactivate the oil however, so be wary of where and how you dispose of the rag.
Of special note is the danger of smoke inhalation. If too much oil vapor enters your lungs you could encounter blistering and lesions in your lungs. This can be extremely dangerous. It is difficult for the oil to enter your lungs, as it doesn’t enter as vapor but must travel on droplets or dust and ash particles. However, if you encounter extreme difficulty i breathing even five to six days after covering the fire, you should probably see a doctor.