Chap 17 Wildland Fires Flashcards
This is affected by types of fuel burning, slope or aspect at which the fire is burning, and weather conditions.
Rate of fire spread
This describes how hot a fire is burning. Can be influenced by the rate of fire spread, it is altogether a different and separate factor.
Fire intensity
Three basic types of wildland fires that can occur in the interface area.
- Forest fire
- brush fire
- groundcover fire
A fire that occurs in wildland areas that contains heavy fuels and higher levels of vegetation, such as timber
Forest Fire
A fire that occurs primarily in mid level vegetation
Brush fire
A fire that occurs primarily in low level vegetation, such as grasses.
Ground cover fire
Fire fighters should be informed of what during the duration of the fire fight in Forest fires.
Weather and weather conditions affecting the current and following day of operations.
A fire in high level vegetation that rapidly spreads across treetops. Can quickly trap firefighters even across fire lines
Crown fire
What is essential for fighting wild land fires?
Being vigilance and having predesignated escape routes and areas of refuge. You cannot outrun a fire that is traveling uphill.
Pieces of burning or smoldering vegetation that are picked up by air currents and distributed downwind potentially causing separate fires and cutting off escape routes.
Brands
Trees that have fallen but are hung up in other trees. Creates a hazard when working around them.
Snags
Another term for wildland firefighting engines
Brush truck
Due to the large number of personnel from multiple agencies, what is crucial when fighting wild land fires?
Accountability system
PPE of Wildland Fire fighting.
- Durable pair of work boots
- Long sleeved shirt (tucked in) and pants (or jumpsuit-type garment) made of fire retardant material, such as nomex
- Helmet and some eye protection
- Equipped with protective equipment
Note: Evacuations are a timely and large operation that will require help from multiple agencies. The timing of the evacuation is important as well. Too early and people become impatient and frustrated and try to return home. Too late and people may not get out in time.
Possible ways Wildland fires can be contained?
- Surround with firefighting personnel who have constructed firelines
- Have fire personnel stand at the perimeter ready to extinguish the fire as it approach
- fire lines utlizing dozers
- utilizing air crafts
- Directing fire to a natural boundary or artificial boundary
- extinguishing
- backfiring ahead of a moving fire
Sides of a wildland fire?
Flanks
Front of a wildland fire, the fastest growing and moving part of the fire.
Head
What should be done to conserve water during wildland fire operations? Fog nozzle? Automatic nozzle?
Lower the gpm on adjustable fog nozzle.
Lower the operating pressure on automatic.
Primary cause of wildland fires?
Lightning, however increasing number of carelessness and arson from humans are on the rise.
Fire fighting safety in wild land fires.
- Know the weather
- Know what the fire is doing
- Base all actions on current and expected fire behavior
- Escape routes and make them known
- Post a lookout
- BE alert, calm, act decisively
- Maintain communication
- Clear instructions
- Control of crew at all times
- Fight fire aggressively but provide for safety first.
Factors for Evacuation in Wildland fires?
Where to send evacuees
Where to set up shelter
Which agencies need to be involved in the effort
Who conducts the evacuation
This is very important to wildland fire fighting operations. Important not to leaving any potential remnants of smoldering fire as it can quickly rekindle.
Overhaul
