Chapter 8 Flashcards
Define fire use
Initiation, facilitation or accommodation of burned areas within a defined geographic location and time period on the basis of a plan
Define goals vs objectives
Goals are what the plan should accomplish ie. maintain natural fire cycle.
Objectives are goals articulated in a measurable way ie. burn 2500 ha to emulate natural fire cycle.
Define strategies vs tactics
Strategy - general method to meet objectives ie. use of designated zones such as prescribed fire zone/let-burn zone.
Tactics - specific actions to implement strategy ie. required weather/fuel conditions to ignite prescribed fire.
Define capping unit
A forested area adjacent to a land management unit with objectives/values at risk that use a fire exclusion policy. Use prescribed fire to reduce wildfire spread into adjacent land mgmt unit. Reinforces natural boundaries.
List 11 uses of fire
1) Response
2) Prevention and mitigation
3) Restoration
4) Habitat enhancement
5) Rangeland mgmt
6) Silviculture
7) Land clearing/debris removal
8) Insect/disease mgmt
9) Social/cultural practice
10) Research
11) Training and skills development
List three common fire mgmt zone types
1) Intensive or managed fire zones - aggressive fire suppression efforts
2) Extensive or natural fire zones - fires are monitored or observed
3) Measured/immediate fire zones - case by case response
List typical components of a park/wilderness area fire mgmt plan
Project overview, fuel/stand description, resource goals, prescribed fire objectives, fire behavior prescription, smoke mgmt prescription, values-at-risk, PR and information strategy, prescribed burn operations, ignition plan, mop up/patrol plan, contingency plan, budget/monitoring/schedules, var supplementary plans
List four different ignition methods
1) Fusee
2) Drip torch
3) Helitorch
4) Aerial ignition device (dragon eggs)
List two ignition patterns
Prescribed fire, backfire, burn-out, strip ignition, centre fire
Describe the difference between appropriate response and fire zonation
1) Appropriate response refers to the actions taken to address a specific situation
2) Dividing an area into zones based on the level of fire risk and potential impact of a wildfire. Managed according to its specific characteristics, such as fuel load, topography, and proximity to infrastructure.
Describe difference between backfire and burnout operation
Backfire: Set inside a control line, alters the direction or lessens the intensity of the main fire. Uses natural or man-made barriers to control the fire’s path. Goal is to remove fuels in the path of the fire/buffer zone to protect valuable resources or infrastructure.Wind blowing towards control line.
Burnout: Set along inner edge of control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and control line. Used to strengthen control lines, create large buffer zone around fire, reduce fire escaping containment.Wind likely blowing away from control line.
In summary, backfire operations are used to create a barrier to stop the spread of a wildfire, while burnout operations are used to strengthen control lines and create a buffer zone to prevent the fire from spreading further.
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Describe how fire regime condition classes relate to fire use
Condition classes categorize ecological effects of fire based on frequency, severity, and intensity. Based on 5 classes (least to most altered). Used to assess fire risk and how to use fire in land mgmt practices.
High FRCC: prescribed burns used to restore ecological processes/reduce risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Low FRCC: Indicates a lack of natural fire > prescribed burns used to introduce fire into ecosystem and promote biodiversity.
What is state of departure
Concept related to fire regime condition classes that refers to how far a landscape has deviated from its historical fire regime. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including fire suppression, land use changes, and climate change.
