Point Protection in Alaska “cabin protection”. What is point protection? Protection of a site threatened by a fire. A site can be: – A single structure.

Point Protection in Alaska“cabin protection”

What is point protection?• Protection of a site threatened

by a fire.• A site can be:

– A single structure– A compound of structures– Materials– Historical/Archeological

sites– Allotments– Antennas– Pipeline– Protected habitat

Structures “cabins”• Cabin/structure protection is

the most common type of point protection in Alaska.

• Cabins vary greatly in scale and construction.

Most cabins can be categorized somewhere between:– Maintained– Historical

Maintained

Historical

Develop a plan• Protection strategy:

– Plumb and defend– Plumb and run– Burn out and mop-up

• Considerations:– Time – Fuels– Number of structures– Available resources– Availability of supplies– Is cabin occupied?

• Triage

Plumb and defend• Pros:

– Personnel on site• Spot fires• Pre-wetting • Site prep

– Burnout• may /may not be

necessary – Pumps/sprinklers

• adjusted as needed.

– After the fire has passed• equipment and personnel

may be pulled from site

Plumb and defend• Cons:

– Resources• committed to structure(s)

for long periods of time• resupply

– Fire • threaten multiple

structures at same time

Plumb and run• Pros:

– Minimal people • protect multiple cabins

– Uses • fire is far from cabins• Several cabins and fire is

close• Lack of resources to staff

each cabin• No adequate safety zone

Plumb and run• Cons:

– Pump/sprinklers • System may fail• Pump gas runs out before

fire reaches cabin– Smoke/time considerations

• resources may not return in time to start pumps

– Equipment needs to be retrieved at a later date

Burn out and mop-up

• Pros:– Black to secure cabin– No water needed– Great in tundra– No need to return to pull

equipment– Resources on scene to

deal with problems during burnout operations

– Talk with FMO/ Agency Administrator before burning!!!!

Burn out and mop-up

• Cons:– Fire

• may never reach site• Later spotting into

unburned fuels– Loss of aesthetic value– Dirty burn may not be

effective– Trees falling on cabin– Possible lengthy mop-up

Cabin wrap• Not commonly used anymore• Not very effective• No need for cabin wrap if

sprinklers are available• Labor intensive to install• Must be removed • Damage to structures(staples

and tacking)• Require ladders for installation

Site preparation• Clear out wood and slash piles

near structure.• Cut trees

– bucked and stacked – limbs scattered– Thin and limb larger trees

• Scatter problem dead and down( if you can’t, then sprinkler the piles)

• Trench around cabin• Clear enough to accomplish the

job, but remember why people have cabins in the woods!

• Shindaiwa/ Honda – – Low on power.– Minimal fuel consumption– Generally less than 8

sprinklers– Best for set up and leave

operations near H20.– Run time( 5 gal.) approx. 8

hrs.– 40:1 premix for both 2

stroke and 4 stroke

• Mark III – – Lots of power,– Higher fuel consumption

for set up leave operations.– Generally around 15

sprinklers– Best for cabins far from

H2O or high on the hill.– Multiple structures– Run time (5 gal.) approx. 3

hours– 40:1 premix

Pumps Use the best pump for the job

Sprinkler kit• Sprinkler Kits contain (Alaska Fire Service) :

– Shindaiwa fuel hose line 5 gal can adapter– 10 rolls / 50’ garden hose– 4 1” to ¾” reducers– 5 sprinkler heads– 5 gal. gas can(pump adapted)– 2 1” Y– 3 ¾” Y– 2 extra spark plugs– Length of “P” cord

• Kit contents may vary by agency and region• One kit does not equal one cabin

Sprinkler installation• Use enough sprinklers to cover

the entire structure. • Vary set up heights (example):

2 above roof line on opposite corners, 2 below roof line on the other opposite corners

• Adjust sprinklers as needed: • short range mist • long range spray

• Remove all kinks from 3/4” hose.

• Adjust sprinkler head for desired coverage range.

Sprinkler installation cont.• Use sprinklers on any receptive

fuels surrounding the cabin.• Make sure hose lays are

protected from cabin to pump• Adapt Shindaiwa to run off 5

gal. gas can.• Take several pictures for the

zones/land managers• If pumps are left on a

river/tidal waters, move the pump and fuel above the high water mark.

• Don’t forget the out buildings!

Sprinkler installation cont.

Do not set sprinklers up in a series connected with 5/8” hose (as shown below) the pressure loss is too great and the last sprinkler will have little to no pressure.

Pump

Sprinklers

3/4” hose

1 ½ “ – 1” hose

Sprinkler installation cont.• Run each sprinkler off of one section of garden hose attached

directly to one inch or larger hose. (see below)

Pump

Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose

1 ½ “ – 1” hose

1” hose

Gated wyeSprinkler¾”hose

Sprinkler installation cont.

Multiple sprinklers off gated wye

Sprinkler installation cont.

Tripod Pole

Sprinkler installation cont.

Tripod on roof Check coverage

Sprinkler installation cont.• Cut and notch method

– Saw Cuts – hose perpendicular to cut

– V notch to prevent sprinkler from rotating when charged

– Lash tightly

Set-up• Always test the system!

– Adequate coverage– Sprinkler tripods/poles are

secure and stable– Pre wet area– Note best pump throttle

setting– Note run time on 5 gal. Fuel

Sprinklers wetting all sides of cabin

Make a map• GPS coordinates for:

– Cabin– Pumps

• Pump property numbers• List of supplies on site• List of site prep. completed • Map structures especially if

several structure in close area ie. around a lake

• List any additional supplies needed

Additional supply needs

• Extra pump fuel• Extra hose• Extra pump• Burning supplies• Water and food (very common to be smoked in for days with no

resupply)

• Transportation??– Local boat rental– Zodiac via paracargo (with or without operator)– ATV rental

Extended time between set-up and use

• Always test pump and hose system.

• Move pump, hose, fuel and all equipment above high water line.

• If freezing temperatures are possible drain pump and hose.

Cabin etiquette• Be respectful of others

property• Pick up your trash• Don’t eat any stored food• Leave things as you found

them• Leave a note• Remember, someone may

depend on the cabin regardless of its condition.

Common watch outs• Nails in trees• Old outhouse holes• Unstable roof• Fuel/hazmat• Explosives• Bear deterrents:

– Plywood and nails– Plywood and large treble

hooks– Etc……..

What needs to be done?

What needs to be done?

What needs to be done?

Expect the unexpected