The smoke probably doesn't help with direction-finding, but Rat may be very fortunate that Castiel's paying enough attention to calm the flames before they get utterly beyond control. Balthazar notices the trouble around the same time the human does, and hesitates. The bears after him, too, seem to pause, although whether they're reacting to the fire or just realizing they've chased him out of their territory is hard to say.

He can sense the call, whether Rat's able to vocalize fully or not. A split second later, he's there in a flurry of wings, and sputtering a little at the thickness of the smoke. He places a hand on the man's shoulder, gripping his shirt lapel with the other, and without explanation or greeting, pulls him through space to the forest edge.

The air is clearer where they land, as if they're upwind of the smoke now. "Steady, there. You all right?"