Central Arizona Central Arizona Brush Fire Brush Fire Preparedness Preparedness Part 3 Part 3 Tactics, strategy and common Tactics, strategy and common resources found on wildland resources found on wildland fires. fires. April 2010 April 2010
Jan 11, 2016
Central ArizonaCentral Arizona
Brush Fire Brush Fire PreparednessPreparedness
Part 3Part 3
Tactics, strategy and common resources Tactics, strategy and common resources found on wildland fires.found on wildland fires.
April 2010April 2010
Disclaimer and IntentDisclaimer and Intent
Like all fire fighting operations, wildland fire control and suppression is inherently dangerous.
This presentation is designed to increase fire fighter safety and awareness at local brush fire incidents in the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is not designed to teach in-depth and/or complex wildland fire suppression techniques, skills or tactics, nor replace National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standardized training.
The overall intent of this presentation is to promote the safe operations of structural fire crews responding to initial attack wildland fires which have the potential to increase into complex fire incidents requiring multiple fire agency resources. This training can be used on an individual, company or department-wide basis.
Strategy and ICS
Peoria, AZ wildfire
Note: An ACRE is the size of a football field WITHOUT the end zones,
or 208’ X 208’.
Size-up ConditionsSize-up Conditions Fire behavior: Fire behavior: smoldering, active, runningsmoldering, active, running.. Approximate size: i.e. Approximate size: i.e. 20’ by 30’,20’ by 30’, half acre; 5 half acre; 5
acresacres, etc., etc. Spread potential: Spread potential: low, moderate, high, extremelow, moderate, high, extreme.. Fuels: Fuels: Grass, brush, river bottom fuelsGrass, brush, river bottom fuels.. Hazards: i.e. Hazards: i.e. power lines.power lines. Exposures:Exposures:
# immediately threatened# immediately threatened # potentially threatened# potentially threatened Consider MCT “snap shot” feature to view area Consider MCT “snap shot” feature to view area
structures/features.structures/features. ActionsActions Resource needs/Balance assignment. Call for state Resource needs/Balance assignment. Call for state
assistance early if support will be needed.assistance early if support will be needed.
StrategyStrategy Fire Fighter Safety is paramount! Do NOT Fire Fighter Safety is paramount! Do NOT
put fire fighters where they can be trapped put fire fighters where they can be trapped by fire.by fire.
Generally, fire fighters should NOT be placed Generally, fire fighters should NOT be placed in the un-burned area ahead of the fire.in the un-burned area ahead of the fire.
Consider containment options, including Consider containment options, including roads, canals, river bottoms, farm lands.roads, canals, river bottoms, farm lands.
Consider letting the fire burn itself out.Consider letting the fire burn itself out. If actions must be taken, consider multiple If actions must be taken, consider multiple
tactics depending on features of the area.tactics depending on features of the area. Contain and stop forward progress. Do not Contain and stop forward progress. Do not
forget the less active sides.forget the less active sides.
Phoenix Regional SOP Phoenix Regional SOP Vol. 2Vol. 2
202.15 Revised 10/99202.15 Revised 10/99
1.1. Aggressively stop the forward progress.Aggressively stop the forward progress.
2.2. Primary goal is to protect exposures Primary goal is to protect exposures when immediate fire control is not when immediate fire control is not possible.possible.
Rice Fire, Fallbrook, CA. 2007
ICS ConsiderationsICS Considerations A sector is the same as a DIVISION; that A sector is the same as a DIVISION; that
being a GEOGRAPHIC reference. Example: being a GEOGRAPHIC reference. Example: “Division A (“Alpha”) or “West Division”.“Division A (“Alpha”) or “West Division”.
A GROUP is a FUNCTIONAL sector of ICS. A GROUP is a FUNCTIONAL sector of ICS. Example: “Structure Protection Group” Example: “Structure Protection Group” whose sole responsibility is protecting whose sole responsibility is protecting structures in a certain area. structures in a certain area.
OPERATIONS runs the fire attack OPERATIONS runs the fire attack operation for the IC.operation for the IC.
AIR OPERTIONS runs the aircraft fire AIR OPERTIONS runs the aircraft fire attack duties for the IC.attack duties for the IC.
Small ICS structureSmall ICS structure
IC(“Baseline Command”)
West Sector/Division
Battalion 181
East Sector/Division
Battalion 5
Air OperationsBattalion 7
Engine 57BR57
Engine 182BR182
Tender 57
E23BR23
BR241Tender 45
Firebird 3
Building Organization Building Organization (NIMS (NIMS
Compliant)Compliant)
ICIC
OperationsOperations LogisticsLogistics
SafetySafety
RehabRehab CanteenCanteen
West DivisionBC181
West DivisionBC181
East DivisionBC5
East DivisionBC5
E57BR57E182
BR182T57
E57BR57E182
BR182T57
E23BR23
BR241T45
E23BR23
BR241T45
Structure Protection
Group BC161
Structure Protection
Group BC161
E22E161E918E171
E22E161E918E171
PlanningPlanning
PIOPIO
South DivisionBLM 2101
South DivisionBLM 2101
BR436BLM E2330Lewis DOC Handcrew
BR436BLM E2330Lewis DOC Handcrew
Air OperationsFirebird 3Ranger 41
Air OperationsFirebird 3Ranger 41
StagingStaging
Engine Attack Methods
Cave Creek Fire, Maricopa County, 2005
TacticsTactics Start all actions with an ANCHOR Start all actions with an ANCHOR
POINT.POINT. ““ANCHOR and FLANK” the fire.ANCHOR and FLANK” the fire. Direct Attack or “Offensive” (click) : the
safest tactic; i.e. “One foot in the black”. Working directly on fires edge from an anchor point towards head of the fire.
Indirect Attack (“Defensive”):Indirect Attack (“Defensive”): pulling pulling back and using established (roads, back and using established (roads, canals, etc) or constructed fire canals, etc) or constructed fire containment lines.containment lines.
Standard Engine TacticsStandard Engine Tactics
1. Mobile1. Mobile
AttackAttack
oror
2. 2. StationaryStationary
AttackAttack
Attack fire from the BURNED SIDE!
1. Mobile “Inside-Out” 1. Mobile “Inside-Out” AttackAttack
In relatively flat terrain and in light fuels, the fire area cools quickly.
Fire fighters and apparatus work from within fire area in an inside-out attack. This leaves no chance for an entrapment or burn-over situation.
Crews work from within their safety zone (“the black”).
Engines anchor and flank fire working around fires edge.
Flanks are managed as Divisions.
If possible, apparatus should work from within the burned area, which serves as the primary SAFETY ZONE.
Safety Zone
West Division or
West Sector
East Division or East Sector
North
Stationary AttackStationary AttackThe same tactic as with a mobile attack, but hose lines are extended from a stationary Type 1, 2 or Type 6 engine.
Crew anchors and flanks fire, using “the black” as their “safety zone”.
Apparatus should be parked in location that cannot be entrapped or burned-over.
Safety Zone
Complex TacticsComplex TacticsTechniques or tactics which might be used by wildland fire-Techniques or tactics which might be used by wildland fire-
trained personneltrained personnel
Burnout/Backfire OperationsBurnout/Backfire Operations – – Uses drip torches Uses drip torches or fusee to remove fuels from the fire by burning out fuels near a or fusee to remove fuels from the fire by burning out fuels near a control line. Standard tactic by wildland engine and hand crews.control line. Standard tactic by wildland engine and hand crews.
DozersDozers – – Heavy equipment used primarily in timber fuels Heavy equipment used primarily in timber fuels and possibly heavy fuels such as the Gila and Salt Rivers. Not and possibly heavy fuels such as the Gila and Salt Rivers. Not normally used in Sonoran Desert due to the extensive damages normally used in Sonoran Desert due to the extensive damages caused.caused.
Hotshot burning out. Peoria, AZ.
Safety and Safety and CommunicationsCommunications
Ensure Ensure BOTHBOTH are in place at every incident are in place at every incidentCrew Safety
Implement and ensure standard safety practices of L C E S at every fire:
LOOKOUT(s) – A crew member(s) who watches crew, fire behavior and fire movement for impending danger.
COMMUNICATIONS – Maintain communications with crew, other resources, and command for optimum safety.
ESCAPE ROUTES – Have a route to escape to an area of safety.
SAFETY ZONES – A location where fire fighters can go to be safe.
Radio considerations:
Automatic aid agencies will have standard radio communications. State, federal, and tribal agencies, or out of area fire departments not on the Automatic Aid system might not have these frequencies.
Consider Statewide Mutual Aid or Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS) channels/frequencies to establish communications.
Wildland agencies will have field programmable radios and can program VHF frequencies on scene.
Fire Department Fire Department AssistanceAssistance
The Arizona State Forestry Division is prepared to support fire department
operations at wildland fire incidents if needed. Most fire departments have Inter-
Governmental Agreements to allow for this and to address costs.
Statewide Dispatch Center (24/7)
1-800-309-7081
Additional InformationAdditional Information Contact your department members of the Contact your department members of the
Central Arizona Wildland Response TeamCentral Arizona Wildland Response Team, , which includes most valley fire departments, which includes most valley fire departments, for additional information or training.for additional information or training.
Website Links (click):
CAWRT East
CAWRT West