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Ground Cover Ground Cover 1 References References IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Fifth Edition Edition IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Fifth Edition Fire Fighter I & II Edition Fire Fighter I & II Presentations Presentations Delmar Firefighters Handbook Delmar Firefighters Handbook Essentials of Firefighting and Essentials of Firefighting and Emergency Response Emergency Response National Wildfire Coordinating Group National Wildfire Coordinating Group National Wildfire Coordination Group, National Wildfire Coordination Group, Nation Interagency Fire Center Nation Interagency Fire Center

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Page 1: Ground Cover 1 References References IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Edition IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Fifth Edition IFSTA Essentials of Fire

Ground CoverGround Cover

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ReferencesReferencesIFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Fifth

EditionEditionIFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting Fifth Edition Fire Fighter I & II PresentationsEdition Fire Fighter I & II Presentations

Delmar Firefighters Handbook Delmar Firefighters Handbook Essentials of Firefighting and Essentials of Firefighting and

Emergency ResponseEmergency ResponseNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNational Wildfire Coordination Group, National Wildfire Coordination Group,

Nation Interagency Fire CenterNation Interagency Fire Center

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Wildland FiresWildland FiresRequire Full Require Full PPE !!!PPE !!!

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Standard Firefighting OrdersStandard Firefighting Orders

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11. Keep informed on fire weather . Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecast.conditions and forecast.

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

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

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

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Standard Firefighting OrdersStandard Firefighting Orders

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55. Post lookouts when there is . Post lookouts when there is possible danger.possible danger.

66. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. . Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.Act decisively.

77. Maintain proper communications . Maintain proper communications with your forces, your supervisor with your forces, your supervisor and adjoining forces.and adjoining forces.

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Standard Firefighting OrdersStandard Firefighting Orders

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88. Give clear instructions and insure . Give clear instructions and insure they are understood.they are understood.

99. Maintain control of your forces at . Maintain control of your forces at all times.all times.

1010. Fight fire aggressively, having . Fight fire aggressively, having provided for all safety first.provided for all safety first.

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The firefighter shall correctly define wildfire The firefighter shall correctly define wildfire terms as used as in the fire service:terms as used as in the fire service:

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(a.) Mop – up(a.) Mop – up(b.) Direct attack(b.) Direct attack(c.) Indirect attack(c.) Indirect attack(d.) Fuel(d.) Fuel(e.) (e.)

Backfire/BurnoutBackfire/Burnout(f.) Barrier(f.) Barrier(g.) Topography(g.) Topography(h.) Suppression(h.) Suppression

(i.) Fire behavior(i.) Fire behavior(j.) Incident (j.) Incident

commandercommander(k.) Incendiary fire(k.) Incendiary fire(l.) Mutual aid(l.) Mutual aid(m.) Fire season(m.) Fire season(n.) Convection (n.) Convection

columncolumn(o.) Tools used in (o.) Tools used in

ground cover firesground cover fires

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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MOP – UP:MOP – UP: All measures taken All measures taken to make a fire “to make a fire “safesafe” after it ” after it has been controlled; includes has been controlled; includes trenching, felling snags, and trenching, felling snags, and patrolling control line.patrolling control line.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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DIRECT ATTACK:DIRECT ATTACK: To attack the fire To attack the fire directly at or close to the burning directly at or close to the burning edge.edge.

INDIRECT ATTACK:INDIRECT ATTACK: Controlling the Controlling the fire by having the control line some fire by having the control line some distance from the approaching fire.distance from the approaching fire.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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WILDLAND FIRES:WILDLAND FIRES: include fires in include fires in weeds, grass, field crops, brush, weeds, grass, field crops, brush, forest, and similar vegetation.forest, and similar vegetation.

FUELS:FUELS: are generally classified by are generally classified by grouping together fuels with similar grouping together fuels with similar burning characteristics. This method burning characteristics. This method classifies ground cover fuels as classifies ground cover fuels as ground, surface, and crown fuelsground, surface, and crown fuels..

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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GROUND FUELS:GROUND FUELS: (Duff) Small twigs, (Duff) Small twigs, leaves, and needles that are leaves, and needles that are decomposing on the ground.decomposing on the ground.

SURFACE FUELS:SURFACE FUELS: Living surface Living surface vegetation includes grass, brush, and vegetation includes grass, brush, and other low vegetation. Nonliving other low vegetation. Nonliving surface vegetation includes downed surface vegetation includes downed logs, heavy limbs, etc.logs, heavy limbs, etc.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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CROWN FUELSCROWN FUELS: Suspended and Suspended and upright fuels physically separated upright fuels physically separated from the ground fuels to the from the ground fuels to the extent that air can circulate extent that air can circulate freely around the fuels causing freely around the fuels causing them to burn more rapidly.them to burn more rapidly.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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BACKFIRING:BACKFIRING: A technique used in the A technique used in the indirect attack method. Intentionally indirect attack method. Intentionally setting a fire between the control line setting a fire between the control line and the advancing fire.The intent is for and the advancing fire.The intent is for the backfire to meet the advancing fire the backfire to meet the advancing fire some distance from the control line. some distance from the control line.

BURNING OUT:BURNING OUT: Intentionally setting fire Intentionally setting fire to fuels inside the control line to widen to fuels inside the control line to widen the line. Used as a direct attack the line. Used as a direct attack technique.technique.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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BARRIER:BARRIER: Natural terrain as in; Natural terrain as in; streams, cleared fields, swamps, streams, cleared fields, swamps, burned areas, and roads typically an burned areas, and roads typically an area or strip devoid of combustible fuel.area or strip devoid of combustible fuel.

TOPOGRAPHY:TOPOGRAPHY: Refers to the slope of Refers to the slope of the land and has a decided effect upon the land and has a decided effect upon fire behavior, and influence on air fire behavior, and influence on air movements.movements.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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SLOPE ASPECTS:SLOPE ASPECTS: The direction The direction the slopes faces. Full southern the slopes faces. Full southern exposure (north of the equator) exposure (north of the equator) receive more of the sun’s direct receive more of the sun’s direct rays and therefore receive more rays and therefore receive more heat. Wildland fires typically burn heat. Wildland fires typically burn faster on the southern exposures.faster on the southern exposures.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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LOCAL TERRIAN FEATURESLOCAL TERRIAN FEATURES: Directly affect air movements. Directly affect air movements. Obstructions, such as ridges, Obstructions, such as ridges, trees, and even large rock trees, and even large rock outcroppings, may alter air flow outcroppings, may alter air flow and cause turbulence or eddies and cause turbulence or eddies resulting in erratic fire behavior.resulting in erratic fire behavior.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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CANYONS:CANYONS: Results in increased wind Results in increased wind velocity. Wind movement can be velocity. Wind movement can be critical in chutes of steep “V” critical in chutes of steep “V” drainages. These terrain features drainages. These terrain features create turbulent updrafts causing a create turbulent updrafts causing a chimney effect. Fires in these chutes chimney effect. Fires in these chutes or drainages can spread at an or drainages can spread at an extremely fast rate and are very extremely fast rate and are very dangerous.dangerous.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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SUPPRESSION:SUPPRESSION: Is attacking and Is attacking and extinguishing the fire. All personal and extinguishing the fire. All personal and equipment and their activities in the equipment and their activities in the field on the fire line are part of this field on the fire line are part of this activity.activity.

FIRE BEHAVIOR:FIRE BEHAVIOR: All fires are the result All fires are the result of a chemical process that occurs when of a chemical process that occurs when a fuel becomes surrounded with a fuel becomes surrounded with adequate heat & air and manner in adequate heat & air and manner in which a fire reacts to the variables of which a fire reacts to the variables of fuel, weather, and topography.fuel, weather, and topography.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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INCIDENT COMMANDER:INCIDENT COMMANDER: A person that A person that encompasses the operation level, and encompasses the operation level, and overall charge of suppressing a ground overall charge of suppressing a ground fire.fire.

INCENDIARY FIRE:INCENDIARY FIRE: Chemical agents that Chemical agents that are used to start fires. Flammable and are used to start fires. Flammable and combustible liquids; Drip torch. Also combustible liquids; Drip torch. Also flares, chemical oxidizers may be used.flares, chemical oxidizers may be used.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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MUTUAL AID:MUTUAL AID: A operation when two or A operation when two or more fire departments operate together, more fire departments operate together, moving apparatus and firefighters in one moving apparatus and firefighters in one community to another for the purpose of community to another for the purpose of fire suppression under incident command. fire suppression under incident command.

Direct assistance from one fire agency to Direct assistance from one fire agency to another during an emergency based upon another during an emergency based upon a prearranged between agencies involved a prearranged between agencies involved and generally made upon the request of and generally made upon the request of the receiving agency.the receiving agency.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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FIRE SEASON:FIRE SEASON: Time of year when Time of year when ground cover fires are most likely ground cover fires are most likely to happen and occur with spread, to happen and occur with spread, and the damage wildland values and the damage wildland values are sufficient to warrant organized are sufficient to warrant organized fire suppression.fire suppression.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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CONVECTION COLUMN:CONVECTION COLUMN: Rising Rising column of heated air or gases column of heated air or gases above a continuing heat or fire above a continuing heat or fire source. These violent convection source. These violent convection columns columns fire stormsfire storms, , often with often with tornado like whirls, caused by tornado like whirls, caused by large, continuous fires. Also large, continuous fires. Also caused by uneven terrain.caused by uneven terrain.

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Defined Wildfire TermsDefined Wildfire Terms

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TOOLS USED IN GROUND COVER TOOLS USED IN GROUND COVER FIRES:FIRES: Shovels, Pulaski, fire rakes, Shovels, Pulaski, fire rakes, hoes, saws, water pump cans, hoes, saws, water pump cans, brush hooks, torches, McLeods, brush hooks, torches, McLeods, swatters, brooms, axes, swatters, brooms, axes, combination tools, and support combination tools, and support equipment.equipment.

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Fire SuppressionFire Suppression

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The successful attack and The successful attack and control of ground cover fire can control of ground cover fire can best be achieved if the fire best be achieved if the fire problem is fully evaluated by by problem is fully evaluated by by pre-fire planning and size up.pre-fire planning and size up.

Size up begins with the first Size up begins with the first report of the fire.report of the fire.

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Fire SuppressionFire Suppression

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The firefighter should begin to The firefighter should begin to evaluate the problem with the evaluate the problem with the facts at hand: The areas facts at hand: The areas reference points and reference points and landmarks, the time of year, landmarks, the time of year, and the time of day.and the time of day.

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Fire SuppressionFire Suppression

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The smoke can usually be seen The smoke can usually be seen from a distance. This can tell from a distance. This can tell you what type fuel load may be you what type fuel load may be burning. What the wind direction burning. What the wind direction is, and what road or route to is, and what road or route to take to head off the fire.take to head off the fire.

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Fire SuppressionFire Suppression

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The first several minutes are The first several minutes are the most important for the the most important for the success of initial attack because success of initial attack because the firefighter must decide at the firefighter must decide at that point whether additional that point whether additional forces are needed.forces are needed.

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Size UpSize Up

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It may be obvious that the initial It may be obvious that the initial attack force will be able to attack force will be able to suppress the fire in a reasonable suppress the fire in a reasonable length of time.length of time.

There may be some question of There may be some question of weather the initial attack force weather the initial attack force will be able to suppress the fire will be able to suppress the fire without reinforcement.without reinforcement.

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Size UpSize Up

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The fire may be a burning The fire may be a burning building that is totally involved, building that is totally involved, the fire threatening heavy grass the fire threatening heavy grass and brush land. and brush land.

The initial attack force should The initial attack force should ignore the building and attempt to ignore the building and attempt to prevent or suppress ground cover prevent or suppress ground cover fire.fire.

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Size UpSize Up

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It may be obvious that the initial It may be obvious that the initial attack forces can’t stop the fire. attack forces can’t stop the fire. Call for reinforcements on all sides. Call for reinforcements on all sides.

Establish a strategic point such as Establish a strategic point such as a road or cleared field where the a road or cleared field where the line may be anchored so the line may be anchored so the efforts of the crew will not be lost efforts of the crew will not be lost or outflanked.or outflanked.

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Size UpSize Up

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It may be observed that It may be observed that valuable improvements in the valuable improvements in the path of the flames are path of the flames are threatened. Take measures to threatened. Take measures to protect them and begin to protect them and begin to suppress the spreading fire.suppress the spreading fire.

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Size Up is a continuous processSize Up is a continuous process

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A ground cover fire is ever A ground cover fire is ever changing and size up should changing and size up should be continuous even after be continuous even after initial attack is made. Factors initial attack is made. Factors that become involved during that become involved during a fire:a fire:

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Size Up is a continuous processSize Up is a continuous process

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The location of the head or headsThe location of the head or headsType of fuelType of fuelSize of fireSize of fire

Special hazardsSpecial hazardsExposuresExposures

Natural barriersNatural barriersAccess roadsAccess roadsWater sourceWater sourceLine of retreatLine of retreat

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Planning the AttackPlanning the Attack

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After size up, an overall attack After size up, an overall attack method must be decided upon method must be decided upon and put into operation. and put into operation.

Determining the attack method Determining the attack method should be based knowledge of should be based knowledge of fire behavior, the personal and fire behavior, the personal and equipment available, and equipment available, and potential economic effect of the potential economic effect of the fire. Other factors to consider fire. Other factors to consider are:are:

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Planning the AttackPlanning the Attack

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Where to attackWhere to attackLocation of control linesLocation of control lines

Estimated completion time of Estimated completion time of line constructionline construction

Estimated spread and behavior Estimated spread and behavior of the fireof the fire

Determine possible danger Determine possible danger spotsspots

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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Direct attack techniques cool, Direct attack techniques cool, drown, smother, beat out, starve, drown, smother, beat out, starve, or otherwise suppress the flame. or otherwise suppress the flame.

The control line is established The control line is established along or directly on the edge of along or directly on the edge of the fire. the fire.

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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The direct attack is most often used The direct attack is most often used on light running fires in grass, leaves, on light running fires in grass, leaves, small brush, field crops, and on the small brush, field crops, and on the flanks and rear of large, intense fires. flanks and rear of large, intense fires.

Some of the more pertinent Some of the more pertinent questions that deserve answers when questions that deserve answers when considering the use of direct attack considering the use of direct attack are:are:

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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Will there be to much heat and smoke Will there be to much heat and smoke for the firefighters to work at the edge for the firefighters to work at the edge of the fire?of the fire?

Is there adequate protective breathing Is there adequate protective breathing equipment available for fire fighters?equipment available for fire fighters?

Will firefighters be relatively safe at Will firefighters be relatively safe at the fire’s edge so they can escape?the fire’s edge so they can escape?

Will trucks, hose lines, and equipment Will trucks, hose lines, and equipment be exposed excessive risk of burning?be exposed excessive risk of burning?

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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Will it be worth the effort to Will it be worth the effort to construct a fire line close to a construct a fire line close to a natural barrier in a unburned area?natural barrier in a unburned area?

Will direct attack at a specific Will direct attack at a specific point avoid a probable in an area point avoid a probable in an area that might threaten exposures of that might threaten exposures of economic value?economic value?

Are firefighters in physical shape Are firefighters in physical shape to work effectively in a direct to work effectively in a direct attack?attack?

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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AdvantagesAdvantagesThe fire is stopped with little The fire is stopped with little

further spreadfurther spreadNo costly or dangerous backfiring No costly or dangerous backfiring

is usedis usedFull advantage is taken of burned-Full advantage is taken of burned-

out areas along control lineout areas along control lineNo need for standby personal to No need for standby personal to

watch unburned areaswatch unburned areas

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Direct AttackDirect Attack

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DisadvantagesDisadvantagesAttack is hampered by heat, smoke, Attack is hampered by heat, smoke,

and flamesand flamesControl line is long, irregular, and Control line is long, irregular, and

must follow the fire edgemust follow the fire edgeDoes not always take advantage of Does not always take advantage of

natural fire barriersnatural fire barriersGreater danger from breakovers, hot Greater danger from breakovers, hot

spots, and wind changesspots, and wind changesMore mop-up and closer patrol More mop-up and closer patrol

requiredrequired

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Indirect AttackIndirect Attack

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The indirect attack consists of The indirect attack consists of controlling a ground cover fire controlling a ground cover fire by constructing a continuous line by constructing a continuous line to bare soil, in unburned fuels at to bare soil, in unburned fuels at a considerable distance in front a considerable distance in front of the fire, and then backfiring. of the fire, and then backfiring.

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Indirect AttackIndirect Attack

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It is most effective against large It is most effective against large fires during periods of high fire fires during periods of high fire danger where there is intense danger where there is intense burning, a high rate of spread, burning, a high rate of spread, and when working conditions are and when working conditions are extremely hazardous to extremely hazardous to firefighters.firefighters.

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Back BurningBack Burning

Drip TorchDrip TorchFusesFuses

PulaskiPulaski

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Indirect AttackIndirect Attack

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AdvantagesAdvantagesPermits easier work for crew Permits easier work for crew

because less smoke, heat, and flame because less smoke, heat, and flame contactcontact

Reduces length of fire edge and Reduces length of fire edge and shortens control timeshortens control time

Permits crews to take advantage of Permits crews to take advantage of natural barriersnatural barriers

Less danger of breakover from Less danger of breakover from sparkssparks

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Indirect AttackIndirect Attack

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DisadvantagesDisadvantagesSacrifice in acreage burnedSacrifice in acreage burnedBackfiring can get out of controlBackfiring can get out of controlRequires a close watch along fire Requires a close watch along fire

line to prevent flare up behind itline to prevent flare up behind itFire can suddenly change direction Fire can suddenly change direction

because of wind conditionsbecause of wind conditionsFire can outflank and put crew in Fire can outflank and put crew in

jeopardyjeopardy

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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A fire line established for an A fire line established for an indirect attack serves as a safety indirect attack serves as a safety strip to prevent further spread of strip to prevent further spread of the fire once it has been brought the fire once it has been brought under control. under control.

The success of depends upon how The success of depends upon how skillfully the fire line is located and skillfully the fire line is located and constructed, and how the backfire is constructed, and how the backfire is used to contain the head of the fire.used to contain the head of the fire.

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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A fire line must be wide enough A fire line must be wide enough to prevent oncoming flame from to prevent oncoming flame from jumping over to the fuel on the jumping over to the fuel on the other side. other side.

A fire line must be built far A fire line must be built far enough ahead of the fire before it enough ahead of the fire before it can reach it.can reach it.

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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Take advantage of natural Take advantage of natural barriersbarriers

Avoid thick dense fuelAvoid thick dense fuelDo not construct more line Do not construct more line

than crews can supervisethan crews can superviseAnchor the line to safe fire Anchor the line to safe fire

barrierbarrier

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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Fire line construction begins with Fire line construction begins with determining the location of the line. determining the location of the line.

This is usually done by a officer, This is usually done by a officer, who must continually size-up the who must continually size-up the situation, take advantage of situation, take advantage of favorable breaks, and watch for favorable breaks, and watch for conditions that might cause loss of conditions that might cause loss of control or danger to crew.control or danger to crew.

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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Remove all ground cover and Remove all ground cover and debris along the fire linedebris along the fire line

Clean fire line down to bare soilClean fire line down to bare soilThe line should not be less than The line should not be less than

18 inches wide18 inches wide

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Fire Line Fire Line Location & ConstructionLocation & Construction

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All burned and charred material All burned and charred material should be thrown back into the should be thrown back into the burnburn

Scatter all cut and unburned Scatter all cut and unburned fuelsfuels

Remove all overhanging Remove all overhanging branchesbranches

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Ground CoverGround Cover

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Classifying fuels is creating a Classifying fuels is creating a reference term for grouping together reference term for grouping together fuels with similar burning fuels with similar burning characteristics.characteristics.

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Small fuel particles, known as light Small fuel particles, known as light or flash fuels, ignite easily and are or flash fuels, ignite easily and are fast burning.fast burning.

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These fuels are slow burning and These fuels are slow burning and seldom ignite without the aid of a seldom ignite without the aid of a fire involving light fuels.fire involving light fuels.

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Successful fire attack and control is Successful fire attack and control is based on an adequate size-up of the based on an adequate size-up of the fire.fire.

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Knowledge of weather information Knowledge of weather information is important for the control of is important for the control of ground cover fires.ground cover fires.

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Wind has a profound effect on Wind has a profound effect on fire behavior, it fans the flames fire behavior, it fans the flames into greater intensity and speeds into greater intensity and speeds combustion.combustion.

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Relative humidity affects the amount Relative humidity affects the amount of moisture in fuel. When humidity of moisture in fuel. When humidity drops to 30%, conditions are drops to 30%, conditions are favorable for fire.favorable for fire.

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The slope of the land will The slope of the land will affect both the rate and affect both the rate and direction of fire spread.direction of fire spread.

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During every 24-hour daily cycle During every 24-hour daily cycle there are periods when the burning there are periods when the burning characteristics are fairly predictable.characteristics are fairly predictable.

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Typical terms for parts of a ground Typical terms for parts of a ground cover fire to aid in size-up, and pre-cover fire to aid in size-up, and pre-fire planning.fire planning.

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As you can see the wind pushes the As you can see the wind pushes the fire and the fuel that is consumed is fire and the fuel that is consumed is thicker at the head of the fire.thicker at the head of the fire.

Spot fires can occur with any Spot fires can occur with any wildland fire.wildland fire.

In the black, you can also see the In the black, you can also see the skags that are left behind from the skags that are left behind from the fire.fire.

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Indirect attackIndirect attack consist of controlling consist of controlling the fire by constructing a continuous the fire by constructing a continuous line to bare soil in unburned fuels, line to bare soil in unburned fuels, and then backfiringand then backfiring

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If a fire is burning up a slope toward the If a fire is burning up a slope toward the crest of a hill, locate fire line just over crest of a hill, locate fire line just over the ridge to provide more time for the ridge to provide more time for construction of a fire line.construction of a fire line.

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AnchorAnchor fire lines from natural fire lines from natural barriers, and away from snags to barriers, and away from snags to improve line location.improve line location.

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After a control line has been After a control line has been established, start the established, start the BackfireBackfire simultaneously across the front of simultaneously across the front of the main fire.the main fire.

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Mobile AttackMobile AttackMobile attack is a fast and effective method of Mobile attack is a fast and effective method of

extinguishing ground cover fires. extinguishing ground cover fires. It involves the moving of one or more pieces of fire It involves the moving of one or more pieces of fire

apparatus and employing 3 basic types of the apparatus and employing 3 basic types of the direct attack method.direct attack method.

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PincerPincer – direct attack around the fire – direct attack around the fire perimeter in opposite directions by perimeter in opposite directions by two or more pumpers from the heel two or more pumpers from the heel or head.or head.

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TandemTandem – attack along a part of the – attack along a part of the fire perimeter by pumpers following fire perimeter by pumpers following each other.each other.EnvelopmentEnvelopment – attacking key or – attacking key or critical segments around the entire critical segments around the entire fire perimeter.fire perimeter.

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Progressive Progressive hose lay hose lay requires requires coordination coordination and teamwork and teamwork to be effective. to be effective. Start hose lay Start hose lay at anchor at anchor point, and point, and flank to work flank to work perimeter.perimeter.73

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Mop-up is Mop-up is making a making a ground ground cover fire cover fire after it has after it has been been controlled.controlled.

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Examples Examples of ground of ground cover fire cover fire fighting fighting tools.tools.

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Under some conditions, it may not be Under some conditions, it may not be possible to provide stored water in possible to provide stored water in constructed tanks. Streams, ponds, constructed tanks. Streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, and pools are also lakes, rivers, and pools are also another source of water supplyanother source of water supply.

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The firefighter shall, given a The firefighter shall, given a specific wildland fire situation, specific wildland fire situation, describe the effect of fuel, describe the effect of fuel, weather and topography on weather and topography on wildland fire, and predict the wildland fire, and predict the direction and speed of the fire direction and speed of the fire spread.spread.

Video 1 Understanding fire behaviorVideo 1 Understanding fire behavior

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Common Denomination of Fire Common Denomination of Fire Behavior on Tragedy FiresBehavior on Tragedy Fires

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There are four major common There are four major common denominators of fire behavior on denominators of fire behavior on fatal and near-fatal fires, and all to fatal and near-fatal fires, and all to often these type of events occurs:often these type of events occurs:

11. On relatively small fires or . On relatively small fires or deceptively quiet areas of large deceptively quiet areas of large fires.fires.

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Common Denomination of Fire Common Denomination of Fire Behavior on Tragedy FiresBehavior on Tragedy Fires

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22. In relatively light fuels, such as . In relatively light fuels, such as grass, herbs, and light brush.grass, herbs, and light brush.

33. When there is an unexpected shift . When there is an unexpected shift in wind direction or wind speed.in wind direction or wind speed.

44. When fire responds to topographic . When fire responds to topographic conditions and runs uphill.conditions and runs uphill.

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Common Denomination of Fire Common Denomination of Fire Behavior on Tragedy FiresBehavior on Tragedy Fires

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Alignment of topography and wind Alignment of topography and wind during the burning period should during the burning period should always be considered a trigger always be considered a trigger point to re-evaluate strategy and point to re-evaluate strategy and tactics.tactics.

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That concludes the self study part of That concludes the self study part of the class. the class.

Now the student, that’s you, will Now the student, that’s you, will watch the National Wildland/Urban watch the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program video 1 Interface Fire Program video 1 located Dayroom. located Dayroom.

After the completion of the video, After the completion of the video, return to the computer and take the return to the computer and take the quiz. There should be some answer quiz. There should be some answer sheets in the Recruit Training Book.sheets in the Recruit Training Book.

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QuizQuiz

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1. Action taken directly against 1. Action taken directly against the flames?the flames?A. Indirect AttackA. Indirect AttackB. Direct attackB. Direct attackC. Mop UpC. Mop UpD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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2. The 3 types of fuels are?2. The 3 types of fuels are?A. Grass, weeds, sticksA. Grass, weeds, sticksB. Right flank, left flank, B. Right flank, left flank, fingersfingersC. Ground, Surface, CrownC. Ground, Surface, CrownD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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3. Person in charge of and 3. Person in charge of and responsible for the responsible for the management of all incident management of all incident operations?operations?A. Operations OfficerA. Operations OfficerB. Incident CommanderB. Incident CommanderC. Sector OfficerC. Sector OfficerD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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4. ________ refers to the lay of the 4. ________ refers to the lay of the land and has a decided effect land and has a decided effect upon fire behavior.upon fire behavior.A. TopographyA. TopographyB. SlopeB. SlopeC. GeographicC. GeographicD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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5. Convection Column is a?5. Convection Column is a?A. Column of smoke and fireA. Column of smoke and fireB. Column found in the fire truckB. Column found in the fire truckC. Rising column of heated air or C. Rising column of heated air or gases above a continuing heat or gases above a continuing heat or fire source.fire source.D. None of the above D. None of the above

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6. You have been dispatched to a 6. You have been dispatched to a grass fire at 1:00 pm, what effect grass fire at 1:00 pm, what effect does the weather and Relative does the weather and Relative Humidity have?Humidity have?A. Winds will dry out damp fuelsA. Winds will dry out damp fuelsB. R/H is high damp air dampens B. R/H is high damp air dampens fuel, fire burns slowlyfuel, fire burns slowlyC. R/H is low dry air dry fuel fire C. R/H is low dry air dry fuel fire burns rapidlyburns rapidlyD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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7. The burned out area in a 7. The burned out area in a wildland fire is called the?wildland fire is called the?A. BurnoutA. BurnoutB. BlackB. BlackC. BackburnC. BackburnD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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8. The front of the fire is called 8. The front of the fire is called the? the? A. HeadA. HeadB. FrontB. FrontC. Spot firesC. Spot firesD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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9. _________ includes fires in 9. _________ includes fires in weeds, grass, field crops, weeds, grass, field crops, brush, forest, and similar brush, forest, and similar vegetation.vegetation.A. Green house fireA. Green house fireB. Wildland fireB. Wildland fireC. Structure fireC. Structure fireD. None of the aboveD. None of the above

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10. _________ is an obstruction of 10. _________ is an obstruction of the spread of fire; typically an area the spread of fire; typically an area or strip devoid of combustible fuel. or strip devoid of combustible fuel. A. Fire truckA. Fire truckB. Hose teamB. Hose teamC. ShovelsC. ShovelsD. BarrierD. Barrier