Wildland cadet class ppt 2012

North West Chiefs Association

CyFair Volunteer Fire Department

Wildland/Ground Cover

Cadet Class

2012

Information Retention

• Method Retention after 24 hours

• Lecture (hear it) 5%

• Read it 10%

• Repetitive reading 10%

• Speak it 10%

• Demonstration 10%

• Activity Participation 20% 65%

• Teach it 15%

• Practice 20%

LINKS

• http://www.sffma.org/

• http://www.tcfp.state.tx.us/index.asp

• http://www.nwcg.gov/

• http://www.nationalfiretraining.net/

UNITS

• Unit 1-Wildfire Terminology

• Unit 2-Fire Behavior

• Unit 3-Wildfire Size-Up

• Unit 4-Wildland Fire Suppression Methods

• Unit 5-Mop Up

• Unit 6-Dozer Tractor/Plow Maintenance

• Unit 7-Safety

Unit 1

WILDFIRE TERMINOLOGY

SFFMA Objectives

• ___ A. Mop up ___ H. Suppression

• ___ B. Direct Attack ___ I. Fire Behavior

• ___ C. Indirect Attack __ J. Incident Commander

• ___ D. Fuel __ K. Incendiary Fire

• ___ E. Backfire/Burnout __ L. Mutual Aid

• ___ F. Barrier _ M. Fire Season

• ___ G. Topography __N. Convection column

• __O. Wildland tools

SFFMA Basic Objectives (cont.)

• Given a specific wildland situation, describe

the effects of fuel, weather and topography

on the wildland fire, and predict the

direction and speed of the fire spread.

Textbook Reading

• Page ??

Parts of a Fire

Finger

Right Flank

Spot Fire

PocketHead

Island Rear

Anchor Point

Left Flank

Anchor

Point

Origin

Nomenclature of a Fire

• HEAD: That part of the fire moving with

the wind. Hottest part of the fire; usually

first suppression priority.

• ORIGIN: Spot where fire started.

• REAR: Part of the fire backing against the

wind; usually last suppression priority.

Nomenclature of a Fire

• FLANK: right flank: hottest flank due to

quartering effects of wind; second

suppression priority.

• FINGERS: long narrow strip of fire

extending from main fire.

• POCKETS: indentations in a fire edge

formed by fingers or slow burning areas.

Nomenclature of a Fire

• SPOT FIRE: Separate fire occurring out ahead of

main fire. (Can be up to 1/2 mile)

• ISLAND: Area of unburned fuel inside the fire.

• PERIMETER: Outside boundary of the fire.

Terminology

DIRECT ATTACK

A series of related actions to

cool, drown, smother, starve,

beat out, or otherwise

extinguish the flames of an on

going fire. All control action is

carried on directly against the

fire edge.

Terminology

INDIRECT ATTACK

Control action conducted a

variable distance from and

usually parallel to the edge of a

wildland fire in such a manner

as to deprive the advancing fire

of fuel and thereby halt its

further progress.

Terminology

FUEL

The substance upon which the fire feeds.

In the case of a wildland fire; it is the

flammable materials in the forest or

rangeland.

Terminology

BACKFIRE

A fire set between the main fire and control line or barrier to burnout any unburned fuels between the wildfire and the control line.

Terminology

BARRIER

Any obstruction; natural or

man-made, to stop the spread

of the fire, typically an area or

strip devoid of flammable fuel

Terminology

TOPOGRAPHY

The physical features of the land surface,

both natural and man-made. Examples;

rivers, mountains, roads, swamps, rock

outcrops, etc.

Terminology

SUPPRESSION

Any action taken to extinguish a wildfire.

Terminology

FIRE BEHAVIOR

The manner in which fuel ignites, flames

develop, fire spreads and exhibits other

phenomena. The combined effects of the

fire’s environment on how the fire acts or

behaves.

Terminology

INCIDENT COMMANDER

The person responsible for all suppression

and service activities on a fire.

Terminology

INCENDIARY FIRE

A fire set deliberately by someone to burn

property not owned or controlled without

the consent of the owner or agent.

Terminology

MUTUAL AID

In fire fighting situations; two-way assistance

freely given under prearranged plans or

agreements by fire departments or agencies of two

or more areas on the basis that each will aid the

other in time of emergency, providing for joint or

cooperative response to alarms near their

boundaries.

Terminology

FIRE SEASON

The period or periods of the year during

which fires are likely to occur, spread, and

do sufficient damage to warrant organized

fire control.

Terminology

CONVECTION COLUMN

The thermally produced ascending column

of gases, smoke, and debris produced by a

fire.

Terminology

ANCHOR POINT

Point from which a fire line begins.

Usually a natural or manmade barrier that

will prevent fire spread and the possibility

of the crew being flanked while

constructing the fire line.

Examples: lakes, streams, roads, etc.

Terminology

SNAG

A

standing

dead tree.

Terminology

MOP UP

The process of making a controlled fire safe

by extinguishing all remnants of fire within

a specified strip adjacent to the control line.

On small fires, the entire burned area should

be gone over. On larger fires, a definite

strip, usually 100 ft. wide and adjacent to

the control line, should be made safe.

Wildland Tools-Hand Crew

• Pulaski

• Mcleod

• Chainsaw

• Rake

• Shovel

• Drip torch

• Fusees( flare)

• Portable pumps

• Forestry hoses/nozzles

Hand Tools

• Pulaski Mcleod

Hand Tools

• Drip Torch Swatter

Wildland Tools-Tractor Plow

• Tractor-plow

• Drip torch

• Chains

• Shovel

• Broom

• Rake

Wildland Tools-Engine Crew

• Booster/Brush Truck( Engine)

• Hose/nozzles

• Brooms

• Mcleod

• Foam

• Shovel

• Winch/cable

• Drip Torch/Fusees

• Swatter

Review Unit 1 Objectives

Wildfire Terminology

TEST

___ A. Mop up ___ H. Suppression ___ O. Wildland tools

___ B. Direct Attack ___ I. Fire Behavior

___ C. Indirect Attack ___ J. Incident Commander

___ D. Fuel ___ K. Incendiary Fire

___ E. Backfire/Burnout ___ L. Mutual Aid

___ F. Barrier ___ M. Fire Season

___ G. Topography ___ N. Convection column

1- Physical features of land, both natural and manmade, such as rivers, mountains, swamps, etc.

2- Two way assistance freely given under prearranged plans and agreements by fire departments or agencies of two or more areas

on the basis that each will assist the other in times of emergency.

3- Any action taken to extinguish a fire.

4- Bulldozer, booster truck, red line, 1 ¾” hose, brooms, pumps, ¾” hose, nozzles, foam, shovels, Mcleod, Pulaski, rake, chainsaw,

drip torch.

5- Officer at the top of the chain of command and is in overall command of the incident.

6- Any obstruction, natural or manmade, to stop the spread of the fire. Typically, it is a strip devoid of flammable fuel.

7- Last step in fire suppression. Process of making control line safe by removing or extinguishing all burning material near

(generally within 100 ft) the edge of the burned area.

8- Thermally produced ascending volume of gas, smoke and debris produced by a fire.

9- Fire set between the main fire and the control line or barrier to burn out any unburned fuels between the wildfire and the control

line.

10- Fire set deliberately to burn property not owned or controlled without the consent of the owner or agent.

11- Series of related actions to cool, drown, smother, beat out, starve, or otherwise extinguish the flames of an ongoing fire.

12- Period or periods of the year during which fires are more likely to occur, spread or do sufficient damage to warrant organized fire

control.

13- Controlled action conducted a variable distance from and usually parallel to the edge of a fire in such a manner as to deprive

the advancing fire of fuel and thereby halting its progress.

14- Substance upon which the fire feed. Flammable materials in the forest or rangeland.

15- Manner in which fuel ignites, flames develop, fire spreads, and exhibits other phenomenon. Combined effects of the fire

environment or how the fire reacts.

7__ A. Mop up 3__ H. Suppression 4__ O. Wildland tools

11_ B. Direct Attack 15_ I. Fire Behavior

13_ C. Indirect Attack 5__ J. Incident Commander

14_ D. Fuel 10_ K. Incendiary Fire

9__ E. Backfire/Burnout 2__ L. Mutual Aid

6__ F. Barrier 12_ M. Fire Season

1__ G. Topography 8__ N. Convection column

1- Physical features of land, both natural and manmade, such as rivers, mountains, swamps, etc.

2- Two way assistance freely given under prearranged plans and agreements by fire departments or agencies of two or

more areas on the basis that each will assist the other in times of emergency.

3- Any action taken to extinguish a fire.

4- Bulldozer, booster truck, red line, 1 ¾” hose, brooms, pumps, ¾” hose, nozzles, foam, shovels, Mcleod, Pulaski, rake,

chainsaw, drip torch.

5- Officer at the top of the chain of command and is in overall command of the incident.

6- Any obstruction, natural or manmade, to stop the spread of the fire. Typically, it is a strip devoid of flammable fuel.

7- Last step in fire suppression. Process of making control line safe by removing or extinguishing all burning material near

(generally within 100 ft) the edge of the burned area.

8- Thermally produced ascending volume of gas, smoke and debris produced by a fire.

9- Fire set between the main fire and the control line or barrier to burn out any unburned fuels between the wildfire and the

control line.

10- Fire set deliberately to burn property not owned or controlled without the consent of the owner or agent.

11- Series of related actions to cool, drown, smother, beat out, starve, or otherwise extinguish the flames of an ongoing

fire.

12- Period or periods of the year during which fires are more likely to occur, spread or do sufficient damage to warrant

organized fire control.

13- Controlled action conducted a variable distance from and usually parallel to the edge of a fire in such a manner as to

deprive the advancing fire of fuel and thereby halting its progress.

14- Substance upon which the fire feed. Flammable materials in the forest or rangeland.

15- Manner in which fuel ignites, flames develop, fire spreads, and exhibits other phenomenon. Combined effects of the fire

environment or how the fire reacts.

Unit 2

FIRE BEHAVIOR

Fire Behavior

• The manner in which fuel ignites, flame

develops, fire spreads and exhibits other

phenomena. The combined effects of the

fire’s environment on how the fire acts or

behaves.

How A Fire Burns

HEAT

+ OXYGEN

+ FUEL

= FIRE

O X

Y G

E N

E A

T

H

F U E L

Fire Spreads Because Of The

Effects Of 4 Things

• Conduction

• Radiation

• Convection

• Direct contact.

Conduction

• The transfer of heat through an object. This method has the least effect on the spread of a wildland fire because wood is a poor conductor of heat.

Radiant Heat From One Brush

Pile To Another

Steep Slopes Cause Rapid Fire Spread

Convection and Radiant Heat

Flame is

closer to fuel

Convection

• Convection from a fire results in more

oxygen available for the fire.

• As heat and smoke rises, more air rushes in

to fill the void.

• During extreme burning periods this can

cause wind speed increase.

Factors That Influence Ignition

And Spread

FUELS WEATHER TOPOGRAPHY

INFLUENCE

ON A

FIRE

Wildland Fire Triangle

Fuels Influences

• Fuel moisture: amount of water in a fuel

• The more moisture in a fuel…the more

heat is required to ignite it

• Fuel size is a factor: smaller fuels burn

quicker than larger fuels at the same

moisture content.

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 1 - Short Grass

“Light” or “Flashy” Fuel

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 2

Open Timber, Grass

Understory

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 3 Tall Grass

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 5 - Brush

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 7 - Southern Rough

“Palmetto-Gallberry”

Fuel Models

Palmetto-Gallberry is Highly Explosive

in Drought Conditions

Fuel Models

Heavy Shrub Group can produce long range spotting

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 8

Closed Timber Litter, Conifers

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 9

Hardwood Litter

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 11

Light Logging Slash

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 12

Medium Logging Slash

Fuel Models

Fuel Model 13

“Heavy” Logging Slash

Fuel Influences

Volume or Quantity

• How much fuel is burning or will burn is

also important. The amount of fuel available

to burn is usually referred to as volume or

quantity

• The more fuel to burn, the more intense the

fire can be.

Weather Influences

One of the most important factors affecting

the behavior of a fire is Weather

In fire control, we usually break

weather into three parts. These are:

• Temperature

• Relative Humidity

• Wind.

Weather Influences

Temperature

• The effect of temperature is important

because fuels that are preheated by the sun

burn more rapidly than cold fuels.

• Air is also preheated… rising up during the

day, cooling at night and reverse

direction.

Weather Influences

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

• It is expressed in (%) It is the amount of moisture present in a parcel of air compared to the total amount the air could hold at that temperature.

• As air is heated…the (RH) decreases.

Weather Influences

Day

• Higher winds

• Lower humidity

• Higher temps

• Fire harder To

suppress

Night

• Lower winds

• Higher humidity

• Lower temps

• Fire easier To

suppress.

Weather Influences

Wind

• Of all influences on a fire’s behavior, wind

has the greatest influence on both the rate

and direction of spread.

Weather Influences

Visible Wind Indicators

THUNDERSTORMS

Gusty winds usually flow out from the edge

of a thunderstorm and can reach speeds up

to 70 mph. Changing direction and rate of

spread of the fire.

Weather Influences

Visible Wind Indicators

SMOKE

Can show wind speed

and wind direction .

Topography Influences

Where the fire is burning, the lay of the land

is an important factor in the rate and

direction of fire spread.

Topography Influences

Topography is broken into (3) parts:

• SLOPE- how steep it is

• ASPECT- The direction it faces

• TERRAIN- The local features of the land.

Topography Influences

SLOPE

• Greatest influence on fire spread.

• Flames are closer to the fuels.

• Wind currents are normally uphill.

• Burning embers can roll down hill, setting

new fires.

Topography Influences

SLOPE

Convective heat rises

along the slope

increasing ROS (rate

of spread).

Topography Influences

ASPECT

• Direction a slope is facing whether: north,

south, east or west.

• Southern aspects receive more direct

radiation from the sun, drying both the soil

and vegetation.

Topography Influences

ASPECT

On South facing slopes, there will normally be:

• Higher temperatures

• Stronger winds

• Lower humidity's

• Lower fuel moistures

Topography Influences

TERRAIN

• Terrain is special land features or obstructions.

• Wind will take the path of least resistance. Which

can cause turbulence or eddies on the lee side of

obstructions.

• Critical areas are chutes and steep “v”s .

Unit 3

WILDFIRE SIZE UP

Unit 3 Objectives

• Define size up.

• Size up considerations while en-route.

• Demonstrate the ability to scout a fire and

list factors used in on-scene size up.

Unit 3 Objectives

• Analyze the observations and conditions

and determine suppression alternatives.

• Develop a safe and efficient plan of action

to suppress the wildfire.

• Locate the approximate point of origin of

the fire and plan for protection of that

area.

Overall Size Up

Process of gathering and evaluating all

available information as it relates to a

particular fire.

Size Up

• When does the size up process start?

PREPAREDNESS PRIOR

TO DISPATCH:

PERSONNEL

• Protective clothing

• Training

• Fitness

• Drinking water

EQUIPMENT

• Sufficient fuel

• Hand Tools

• Radio

• Maps

Size Up Before Dispatch

• Weather observations

• Current conditions---forecast conditions

• Recent fire occurrence---behavior

On Scene or En-route Indicators

• Dust devils

• Smoke column

• Clouds / Thunderstorms

While Enroute To Fire Think

About?

• Fuels and terrain

• Access roads

• Fire barriers

• Ownership

• History of fire area

• Water sources

• Mutual aid resources

After Sighting Smoke Column:

• Check size, height,

color, direction and

shape.

• Verify your

expected behavior

of fire relative to

the forecast and the

resulting smoke

column.

Approaching Fire Area:

• Look for alternate routes.

• Look for suspicious people or cars coming

from fire area---record license number,

protect evidence.

• Look for gates or breaks in fence to enter

fire area.

Size Up:

Size up is a

continuous action

and is constantly

changing.

Arrival On Fire Scene

• Look at the total

fire picture

• Size up the entire

situation and

determine the best

method of attack.

• Use ICS

Planning The Attack

Based on:

• Reconnaissance of the fire

• The fire situation

• The availability of personnel

• Other expected personnel

Factors To Consider

• Where to attack-Head,

Flank, Rear

• Method of attack-

direct or indirect

Factors To Consider:

• Size of fire.

• Location of head--- be sure you know

what’s in the path of fire.

• Point of origin and cause---preserve

evidence.

• Time of day---can greatly affect fire

behavior (now/future).

Factors To Consider:

• Improvements and other values threatened.

• Weather at fire---wind speed and direction

variable or steady?

• Behavior of fire---How fast is fire

spreading? How high are flames? Is it

spotting? How far? Is it hotter than usual?

Factors To Consider:

Safety Factors:

Placement of personnel.

Identify line of retreat for personnel and

equipment.

Factors To Consider:

• Fuel---type and arrangement of fuel? How

clean is fire burning fuels in path of fire?

• Do the fuels change---and if so, how will

they affect the fire?

• Terrain or Topography---slope and aspect,

natural barriers, access roads.

Factors To Consider

• Estimate probable spread and behavior of

fire.

• Determine possible danger spots---fuel

buildup, snags, bogs, brush piles, etc.

• Brief personnel---do not scatter personnel.

Use as a team

• Preserve evidence.

Acreage Estimation Chart

1chain

66 ft

Fuel Rate of Spread

Make Initial Attack

REMEMBER

• There is only one

initial attack of a

fire.

• The situation is

constantly

changing!!!!!!!

UNIT 4

WILDLAND FIRE

SUPPRESSION METHODS

Unit 4 Objectives

• Illustrate the standards of direct and indirect

fire line construction necessary to control

smoldering (creeping), and fast-moving

fires in light fuels.

• Location of fire line placement in flat and

rough terrain.

Unit 4 Objectives

• Illustrate when to use direct and indirect

methods of line construction.

• List potential safety hazards involved in the

use of the direct and indirect line building

methods and precautions which should be

taken in each case.

Parts of a Fire

Finger

Right Flank

Spot Fire

PocketHead

Island Rear

Anchor Point

Left Flank

Anchor

Point

Origin

Wildland Firefighting 112

Three basic wildland fire types

Surface Fire burns low-

lying fuels and

ground litter.

Ground Fire burns

below ground.

Usually caused

by a surface

fire.

Crown Fire burns in

top of fuels

Types of Wildland Fires

SURFACE

Fire that burns

away ground litter.

Types of Wildland Fires

SURFACE WITH

TORCHING

Fire that burns away

ground litter and may or

may not ignite individual

trees. Depends on ladder

fuels.

Types of Wildland Fires

GROUND

Fire that burns

below ground level,

usually caused by a

surface fire.

Fire Suppression Limitations :

Flame Length

• 4’ Fires can generally be attacked at the head or flank by persons using hand tools. Hand line should hold the fire.

• 4’-8’ Fires are too intense for direct attack on the head by persons using hand tools. Hand line cannot be relied on to hold the fire.

• 8’-11’ Fires may present a serious control problem; torching out, crowning and spotting. Control efforts at the head will probably be ineffective.

• >11’ Crowning, spotting and major fire runs are probable. Control efforts at the head of the fire are ineffective.

Direct Attack

Consists of a series of related direct actions

to cool, drown, smother, beat out, starve, or

otherwise extinguish the flames of an on

going fire.

Conditions To Use Direct Attack

• Fire is small

• Light fuels

• Ground fire

• On flanks and rear of large fires

• Where conditions allow working close to

the fire

Standards of Line Construction

• Penetrate to mineral

soil.

• Line of adequate

width.

• Line constructed

directly on edge of

fire.

Width of Fireline Will Vary With:

• Weather conditions

• Part of fire i.e. head, flank, rear

• Size and intensity of fire

• Equipment and fire fighters available.

Width of Fireline Will Vary With:

• Slope and Aspect

• Fuels

• Topography.

Rule of Thumb Regarding Fire

Line Width:

• Fast moving fires

• Head- 2x flame height

• Flank- 1x flame height

• Slow moving fires

• Head- 3-4 ft. Wide

• Flank- 6-8 inches.

FLAME LENGTH

FLAME

HEIGHT

STRIKE-Structure Defense • S et-up: Engine and hose lines

• T ake a look: Area, locate escape routes and safety zones

• R educe fuels: Ready the structure

• I nform your crew: Plan, safety, nearby resources

• K nock the fire down: Save the structure if possible

• E xtinguish and check: Stay loose and conserve water

• Set-up: Engine and hose lines

• Take a look: Area, locate escape routes

and safety zones

• Reduce fuels: Ready the structure

• Inform your crew: Plan, safety, nearby

resources

• Knock the fire down: Save the

structure if possible

• Extinguish and check: Stay loose and

conserve water P

Mobile Attack

4C-129-ENOP-PP

Direct Attack

Mobile Attack

• Methods of attack

– From the black.

• Positioning the engine and personnel in

the black and directing the water stream

towards the green. This method is used

when terrain, obstacles and fuel type

allow.

• Hazards are: residual heat from the

flaming fire front and burning debris

under the engine.

Mobile Attack

–From the green

• Placing the engine and personnel in the unburned fuel on the fire perimeter. Directing the water stream towards the black.

• Hazards are: Unburned fuel between you and the fire and hazards such as rocks or holes hidden by the fuels.

Wildland Firefighting 133

Brush Truck Tactics

Routine Mobile Attack

• Establish an anchor point

• Start at rear of fire and move up one flank

• Suppress entire perimeter working towards

the head

Engine Placement

• Always adhere to LCES during all fire

operations.

• Always keep in mind ingress and egress

during engine pumping operations.

Water application:

Effective application is the key to conserving

water and using it effectively

Timing of water application

Wetting down with water

Reducing the heat build-up

Duration of the heat wave

Peak heat wave tactics

Water & Foam Use

Water Application Peak Heat Wave Tactics

Do not waste water by spraying at a wall of flame during the peak of the heat and smoke

Seek refuge in the shade of something that blocks intense radiant heat

Wait until you have an opportunity to do some good with your water

Use water when and where you have the advantage, not on fire that is burning at its peak intensity

Water Application Wetting Down w/ Water

Wetting down is the application of water to fuel and structures before the fire arrives.

Wetting down is usually a waste of time and water

Wetting down takes large quantities of water, far out of proportion to the amount of fire it extinguishes

In some instances, it can reduce ignitions

138 Wildland Firefighting

Saving Water with Brush Trucks

Work during wind lulls

Meet fire in lighter fuels if possible

Spray water parallel to the control line

Use over and underspray to control flames

Use a half gaited nozzle to control amount of

water consumption

Direct Attack Using Foam

• Place foam directly at the base of the flame.

• Use foam to coat burning materials. Leave a

foam blanket over hot fuels to continue

wetting the fuels.

• When attacking the fire edge, also apply

foam onto adjacent unburned fuels.

Indirect Attack

Control action conducted a variable distance

from and usually parallel to the edge of a

fire in such a manner as to deprive the

advancing fire of fuel and thereby halting its

progress.

Indirect Attack

Conditions To Use Indirect Attack

• When burning intensity, rate of spread and

working conditions are too extreme.

• Generally when flame length > 8 ft

• Insufficient number of fire fighters.

• Where good natural barriers exist.

• On fast spreading/ hot fires.

• To straighten the fire lines.

When to use Indirect Attack

• Establish lines in lighter fuels, if possible

• Make lines as straight as possible

• Try to keep heavy fuels outside the control

line

• Make use of natural barriers.

• Clean line to mineral soil

• Patrol established lines

• Burnout when needed

• Establish periodic rest breaks.

Indirect Attack-

Wildland Firefighting 145

Brush Truck Tactics

Hot Head Fire

– Attack fire from rear (Anchor point)

– Extinguish fire counter-clockwise or run two

crews simultaneously up each flank ensuring

that the crews run at the same speed

– Mop-up entire perimeter

Wildland Firefighting 146

Brush Truck Tactics

Heavy fuels

• Look for barriers

– Establish an anchor point

– Use hot head fire tactics

Wildland Firefighting 147

Using Water with Brush Trucks

DO: Think about spray vs. straight

stream

Work parallel to fire line

Get in as close as safely possible

DON’T: Drag hose

Run over hose

Downwind Indirect Flank Attack

• If there is no

overriding priorities

attack right flank first.

• Right flank is usually

the hottest flank.

Indraft

Convection of Main

Fire

Draws the

“Counter-Fire”

In From Fireline

Safety Zone

Created

“In-the-Black”

by Burnout

Indirect Attack---Don’t

• Over extend yourself

• Set unwatched backfires

• Construct lines adjacent to tall fuels

• Take unnecessary chances with fire fighters

and equipment.

Fireline Construction Guidelines

• Use the easiest route

• Take advantage of light fuels

• Take advantage of any natural barriers

• Avoid sharp angles in the control line.

Engine Crew Production Rate

1 chain

66 ft

UNIT 5

MOP-UP

WHAT IS MOP-UP?

DIRTY

DIGUSTING

MISERABLE

JUST PLAIN NO FUN

VERY IMPORTANT

Mop Up Definition

• Process of making a controlled line safe by

removing or extinguishing all burning

material along or near the perimeter edge of

the burned area.

• Comparable to Overhaul in structural fire

fighting,

Mop Up

The Last Step in Fire

Suppression

Mop Up Principles

• On small fires: mop up

entire burn

• On large fires: mop up

within 100 feet of fire

line- variable with

weather and fuel

conditions

• Cover stumps, logs

and debris with dirt.

Mop Up Principles Cont.

• Clear all flammable

material down to the

mineral soil

• Do not bury burning

fuels

Standards For Declaring Fire

Controlled

• Check outside the fire perimeter for spot

fires

• Inside perimeter check to see: no unburned

patches of fuel are left, all fire is out of

stumps and logs, and fire is mopped up and

checked the next morning.

Mop Up Duration

• Continue Mop Up Until Incident

Commander Says It’s Safe!

Incident Commander Will

Declare Fire Controlled!!

UNIT 6

SAFETY

Proper PPE

• Structure Fire Gear is not suitable for an

extended Wildland Fire incident.

• SCBA is not normally used.

• Emphasize eye and head protection

Wildland Firefighting 172

Safe Hand Tool Practices

• DO: Keep cutting edges sharp

Keep handles tight

Keep tools clean and rust-proofed

Store tools neatly

Carry sharp edged tools by your side

Keep 10 -12 ft distance between

firefighters working with tools.

Wildland Firefighting 173

Safe Hand Tool Practices

• DON’T: Lean on tools

Carry pump by hose

Use tools for any non-fire purpose

Throw tools around

Allow tools to lie around

Work beyond your endurance.

Wildland Firefighting 174

Safe Brush Truck Practices

• Be alert for stumps, rocks and other debris.

• Don’t take your vehicle where hand crews are better.

• Attack a head fire from inside the burn in light fuels.

• If you run out of water - use hand tools until you are re-supplied or until the fire passes you by.

REMEMBER TO STAY IN THE BLACK

ANYTIME POSSIBLE!!!!

Heat Stress Problems

SAFETY

18 WATCHOUT

SITUATIONS

STANDARD FIREFIGHTING ORDERS

1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecast.

2. Know what your fire is doing at all times.

3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.

4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known.

STANDARD FIREFIGHTING ORDERS

5. Post lookouts when there is possible

danger.

6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act

decisively.

7. Maintain prompt communications with

your forces, your supervisor and

adjoining forces.

STANDARD FIREFIGHTING ORDERS

8. Give clear instructions and insure they

are understood.

9. Maintain control of your forces at all

times.

10.Fight fire aggressively, having provided

for safety first.

LCES

•Lookouts

•Communication

•Escape Routes

•Safety Zones

Dangers?

SFFMA Basic Objective

• Given a specific wildland situation, describe

the effects of fuel, weather and topography

on the wildland fire, and predict the

direction and speed of the fire spread.

• Size up, develop incident action plan, and

type of attack

Weather Conditions:

90 degrees

Wind-Southeast 15-20 mph

Relative humidity-55%

Cold front predicted

arriving within 1 hour,

West-Northwest winds- 20-

25mph

Resources Available E-10, E-2

B-1, B2, B4, CyCreek B22

D-3

SQ-1, SQ-2

Fuel type 1-3

Short to medium Grass

Fire area upon arrival-5

acres

How to Use Fire Tools

Link to Fire Tool Use

Questions, Comments,

Gripes or Complaints

http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/