I was also confused by this until reading further. The whole situation reminds me of the early days of long motorcycle races in the southern California desert

I was also confused by this until reading further. The whole situation reminds me of the early days of long motorcycle races in the southern California desert -- if someone's motorcycle broke down they'd set their tire on fire to signal they needed help and someone would come pick them up. Of course this was before satellite transponders. And you're a lot less likely to start an out of control fire in the desert.