Yep,wettin' 'em down is a good way to drown them.Not much chance of them catching fire,but you can get a soggy smolder.
First y,ou are asking a bunch of questions.
Why are you using wood chips?
Are you trying to get lots of instant smoke for cold smoking,or a real fast shellfish smoke?
Maybe shavings would work?
If you are cooking,you should be using chunks,unsoaked.