Natural Cover FiresNatural Cover Fires

view from the westView looking west at the Head of the Fire

TOPICSTOPICS

- Wildland PPE- Wildland PPE- Apparatus- Apparatus- Wildland Tools- Wildland Tools- Topography and Fuels- Topography and Fuels- Scene Size-Up - Scene Size-Up - Fire Attack- Fire Attack- Safety- Safety

WILDLAND PERSONAL WILDLAND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

WILDLANDWILDLAND PPEPPE LightweightLightweight Less restrictiveLess restrictive Bunker Gear IssuesBunker Gear Issues

WILDLAND PPEWILDLAND PPE

Able to withstand radiant heatAble to withstand radiant heat Constructed of Nomex and KevlarConstructed of Nomex and Kevlar Will burn in direct contact with fireWill burn in direct contact with fire

WILDLANDWILDLAND PPEPPE

Your wildland PPE Your wildland PPE should consist of:should consist of: Protective BootsProtective Boots Wildland PantsWildland Pants Wildland CoatWildland Coat GlovesGloves HelmetHelmet Eye ProtectionEye Protection

WILDLAND PPEWILDLAND PPE

Wildland Boots should be:Wildland Boots should be: LeatherLeather Eight inches highEight inches high Comfortable for the terrainComfortable for the terrain

Wildland Boots should Wildland Boots should notnot:: Be made of synthetic materialBe made of synthetic material Have steel toesHave steel toes

WILDLAND TOOLSWILDLAND TOOLS

Hand ToolsHand Tools

ShovelsShovels AxesAxes PulaskiPulaski Fire Swatter Fire Swatter

(Flapper)(Flapper) RakesRakes

Mechanical ToolsMechanical Tools

Back Pack Back Pack PumpsPumps

Indian PacksIndian Packs Drip Torch Drip Torch

Power ToolsPower Tools

Chain SawChain SawBlowerBlower

Other ToolsOther Tools

ChainsChains FlashlightsFlashlights Forestry HoseForestry Hose NozzlesNozzles FlaresFlares Thermal Imaging Thermal Imaging

CameraCamera

Tool CareTool Care

Clean all tools and hose lines after each useClean all tools and hose lines after each use Check for cracks and splitsCheck for cracks and splits Use Linn seed oil on wooden handlesUse Linn seed oil on wooden handles Keep tools sharpKeep tools sharp Refill all water, foam, and fuel tanks after useRefill all water, foam, and fuel tanks after use

ApparatusApparatus

BRUSH TRUCKSBRUSH TRUCKS

Light WeightLight Weight Four Wheel DriveFour Wheel Drive Designed for Wildland Designed for Wildland

incidentsincidents Mobile to remote Mobile to remote

locationslocations Foam capabilitiesFoam capabilities

EnginesEngines

Additional tools Additional tools Additional waterAdditional water Drafting CapabilitiesDrafting Capabilities Structural ProtectionStructural Protection Foam CapabilitiesFoam Capabilities Stage on RoadwaysStage on Roadways

TankersTankers

Additional WaterAdditional Water Additional ToolsAdditional Tools Structural ProtectionStructural Protection Stage on RoadwaysStage on Roadways

General RulesGeneral Rules

Keep warning lights onKeep warning lights on Command apparatus/post should be easily Command apparatus/post should be easily

identifiableidentifiable Never ride on the outside of a moving Never ride on the outside of a moving

apparatusapparatus Driver’s must maintain visual contact with Driver’s must maintain visual contact with

crew working outside of the apparatuscrew working outside of the apparatus

Stage ALL apparatus on the roadwaysStage ALL apparatus on the roadways Be mindful bridge weights on rural roadsBe mindful bridge weights on rural roads Keep doors shut and windows up in apparatusKeep doors shut and windows up in apparatus First PriorityFirst Priority

Life Safety then structural protectionLife Safety then structural protection

StagingStaging

Watch for overhead power linesWatch for overhead power lines Watch for damages trees/limbsWatch for damages trees/limbs Stay clear of LPG or fuel storage tanksStay clear of LPG or fuel storage tanks Tactically position apparatus for structural Tactically position apparatus for structural

protectionprotection Stage apparatus facing escape routesStage apparatus facing escape routes

FUELS, WEATHER, FUELS, WEATHER, AND TERMSAND TERMS

FuelsFuels FuelFuel

Any flammable or combustible substance Any flammable or combustible substance available for fire consumptionavailable for fire consumption

The most common fuels consumed during a The most common fuels consumed during a natural cover fire:natural cover fire: Grass, brush, trees, and cropsGrass, brush, trees, and crops

Other fuels encountered:Other fuels encountered: Structures, vehicles, farm equipment, Hazmat, etc.Structures, vehicles, farm equipment, Hazmat, etc.

FuelsFuels

Surface FuelsSurface Fuels Fuels found on the groundFuels found on the ground

Aerial FuelsAerial Fuels Fuels on tops of trees and brushFuels on tops of trees and brush

Ladder FuelsLadder Fuels Fuels connecting surface fuels to aerial fuelsFuels connecting surface fuels to aerial fuels

FuelsFuels

Light FuelsLight Fuels Short grass or light brushShort grass or light brush

Medium FuelsMedium Fuels Brush up to 6 feet highBrush up to 6 feet high

Heavy Fuels Heavy Fuels Thick/dense fuels over 6 feet highThick/dense fuels over 6 feet high

WeatherWeather

- Wind direction and velocityWind direction and velocity- Low humidityLow humidity- High temperaturesHigh temperatures- Lots of sunshineLots of sunshine- Low moistureLow moisture- Time of dayTime of day- Day of weekDay of week

TermsTerms

OriginOrigin – Area where the fire started – Area where the fire started HeadHead – Part of the fire with the greatest rate – Part of the fire with the greatest rate

of speedof speed HeelHeel – Opposite end of the head. Also – Opposite end of the head. Also

referred to as the “rear”referred to as the “rear” UnburnedUnburned – Area of Unburned fuel outside or – Area of Unburned fuel outside or

adjacent to the involved area adjacent to the involved area

BlackBlack – area that the fire has consumed – area that the fire has consumed FlanksFlanks – The sides of the fire, roughly parallel – The sides of the fire, roughly parallel

to the main direction of the fire spread. to the main direction of the fire spread.

Scene Size-UpScene Size-Up

Windshield Size-UpWindshield Size-Up

Establish CommandEstablish Command Ask yourself these questions:Ask yourself these questions:

What is burning? Fuel type/loadWhat is burning? Fuel type/load How much area is currently involved? How much area is currently involved?

How much has burned already?How much has burned already?

Windshield Size-Up (continued)Windshield Size-Up (continued)

How fast is the fire moving?How fast is the fire moving? Are there any exposure concerns?Are there any exposure concerns? Do I need additional resources?Do I need additional resources? Am I staged in a safe area?Am I staged in a safe area?

Fire AttackFire Attack

Direct AttackDirect Attack

Hierarchy of tool selection of a crew for Hierarchy of tool selection of a crew for “typical” light to medium fuel natural cover “typical” light to medium fuel natural cover fires:fires: BlowerBlower RakeRake Water/FoamWater/Foam

Direct AttackDirect Attack

Establish a safe anchor point Establish a safe anchor point prior to starting fire attackprior to starting fire attack

Start attack by the heel or a Start attack by the heel or a natural barriernatural barrier

Direct AttackDirect Attack

Work in tandem to prevent Work in tandem to prevent fire from reignitingfire from reigniting

Give ongoing reports to Give ongoing reports to commandcommand

Direct Attack - CrewDirect Attack - Crew

Crew LeaderCrew Leader - Obtains portable radio, rake, and two flares- Obtains portable radio, rake, and two flares

Crew MemberCrew Member- Obtains the blower and its extension tube- Obtains the blower and its extension tube

Additional Crew MemberAdditional Crew Member - Obtains an Indian pack/pump pack- Obtains an Indian pack/pump pack

Brush Truck OperationsBrush Truck Operations

Crew LeaderCrew Leader- Walks ahead of truck as a spotter, obtains - Walks ahead of truck as a spotter, obtains portableportableCrew Member #1Crew Member #1

- Starts pump, drives truck watching other crew - Starts pump, drives truck watching other crew membersmembersCrew member #2Crew member #2

- Deploys crosslay, walks along truck extinguishing - Deploys crosslay, walks along truck extinguishing flamesflames

Indirect AttackIndirect Attack

Controlling the fire by Controlling the fire by constructing a control line constructing a control line along natural barriers or by along natural barriers or by removing/burning unburned removing/burning unburned fuel in the fire’s pathfuel in the fire’s path

Natural BarriersNatural Barriers

CreeksCreeks RiversRivers StreamsStreams DirtDirt Rock areasRock areas

Manmade BarriersManmade Barriers

RoadwaysRoadwaysParking lotsParking lotsDitchesDitches

Back BurningBack Burning

Method involves Method involves burning a fire burning a fire line ahead of the line ahead of the fire to eliminate fire to eliminate fuels for the fire fuels for the fire to consumeto consume

Indirect Attack - CrewIndirect Attack - CrewCrew LeaderCrew Leader

- Obtains portable, drip - Obtains portable, drip torch, and two flarestorch, and two flares

Crew MemberCrew Member - Obtains blower and - Obtains blower and

extension tube or a water extension tube or a water packpack

Additional Crew MemberAdditional Crew Member - obtains a rake- obtains a rake

After the FireAfter the Fire

Double check for hot spotsDouble check for hot spots Check back in with the IC – entire crewCheck back in with the IC – entire crew Rehab toolsRehab tools Refill apparatusRefill apparatus Terminate commandTerminate command

SafetySafety

SafetySafety

Solid Incident CommandSolid Incident Command AccountabilityAccountability CommunicationsCommunications Escape RoutesEscape Routes Safety ZonesSafety Zones

SafetySafety

In the majority of NCF incidents, there are no In the majority of NCF incidents, there are no lives at risk until the first firefighter arriveslives at risk until the first firefighter arrives

Prepare for the worst case scenarioPrepare for the worst case scenario Place experienced personnel in crew leader Place experienced personnel in crew leader

and incident commander rolesand incident commander roles

SafetySafety Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations

Fire moving up hillsFire moving up hills Power linesPower lines FencesFences Above ground fuel Above ground fuel

tankstanks Falling Timber/LimbsFalling Timber/Limbs Urban InterfaceUrban Interface

Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns

Be mindful of Be mindful of change in wind change in wind patternpattern

Watch for spot Watch for spot fires over your linefires over your line

Unclear Unclear assignmentassignment

Crew fatigueCrew fatigue

RemindersReminders

Hydrate and rehab Hydrate and rehab as neededas needed

Park on roadwaysPark on roadways Do not ride Do not ride

outside of a outside of a moving apparatusmoving apparatus

Stay with your Stay with your crewcrew

Stay focusedStay focused Call for additional Call for additional

recourses earlyrecourses early

Summary

PrioritiesPriorities

Life SafetyLife Safety Incident StabilizationIncident Stabilization Property ConservationProperty Conservation

SCENARIOSSCENARIOS

Windshield View