Wildfires Flashcards
What is the NFCC definition of a wildfire?
> 1 hectare area
1.5m sustained flame length
4 fire appliances required
6 hours resources committed
Only one criterion needs meeting
What is the ‘head’ of a wildfire?
The driving part of the fire, where it is going. You should expect the head to be burning more intensely than the flanks, which are more intense than the tail.
NEVER WORK IN FRONT OF THE HEAD.
Define the perimeter of a wildfire.
This is the distance around the whole incident, including any spot fires (detached from the main body of fire).
Define the tail or heel of a wildfire.
This is a part of the fire upwind of the origin, meaning the fire has travelled against the wind.
What does LACES stand for
Lookouts
Awareness
Communication
Escape Routes
Safety zones
LACES: How should lookouts be used?
-Each team should have a dedicated lookout. It is this person’s responsibility to monitor the weather and fire behaviour.
-The IC should also consider an overall lookout for the incident. They should have clear lines of communication with the incident command structure. They may be situated in a tall building, or use an aerial or drone for situational awareness.
LACES: Define awareness.
Everyone in a sector should be briefed not just on their role and task but on the overall tactics for that sector.
They should also be briefed on the safety measures in place, and the dangers and risks identified. All personnel within a sector should have radio comms.
LACES: Define communication.
Safety briefs should be given and regular situation updates sent out, including new hazards, changes in weather, or changes in tactics.
Consider comms options: airwave, leaky feeders, dedicated channels.
LACES: define escape routes
Escape routes and the evacuation signal should form part of initial briefings. There should be more than one escape route, and they must avoid steep slopes.
LACES: define safety zones
If a safety zone is required it should be included in initial briefings.
It should be four times the length of flame height as a minimum, and must avoid steep slopes.
Safety zones can be ‘in the black’; i.e. in an area that has burned already.
What are the three elements of the wildfire prediction system?
Wind
Slope
Aspect
The more factors in play, the more intense the fire behaviour.
Under what conditions is it permitted to relax RPE to half masks with filters?
-Only if it is solely grass/woodland involved.
-If any structures are involved, or synthetic materials (e.g. rubbish) then BA must be worn.
-Any personnel working downwind, or in a smoky environment, must wear BA.
