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Point Protection in Alaska“cabin protection”
What is point protection?• Protection of a site threatened
by a fire.• A site can be:
– A single structure– A compound of structures– Materials– Historical/Archeological
sites– Allotments– Antennas– Pipeline– Protected habitat
Structures “cabins”• Cabin/structure protection is
the most common type of point protection in Alaska.
• Cabins vary greatly in scale and construction.
Most cabins can be categorized somewhere between:– Maintained– Historical
Maintained
Historical
Develop a plan• Protection strategy:
– Plumb and defend– Plumb and run– Burn out and mop-up
• Considerations:– Time – Fuels– Number of structures– Available resources– Availability of supplies– Is cabin occupied?
• Triage
Plumb and defend• Pros:
– Personnel on site• Spot fires• Pre-wetting • Site prep
– Burnout• may /may not be
necessary – Pumps/sprinklers
• adjusted as needed.
– After the fire has passed• equipment and personnel
may be pulled from site
Plumb and defend• Cons:
– Resources• committed to structure(s)
for long periods of time• resupply
– Fire • threaten multiple
structures at same time
Plumb and run• Pros:
– Minimal people • protect multiple cabins
– Uses • fire is far from cabins• Several cabins and fire is
close• Lack of resources to staff
each cabin• No adequate safety zone
Plumb and run• Cons:
– Pump/sprinklers • System may fail• Pump gas runs out before
fire reaches cabin– Smoke/time considerations
• resources may not return in time to start pumps
– Equipment needs to be retrieved at a later date
Burn out and mop-up
• Pros:– Black to secure cabin– No water needed– Great in tundra– No need to return to pull
equipment– Resources on scene to
deal with problems during burnout operations
– Talk with FMO/ Agency Administrator before burning!!!!
Burn out and mop-up
• Cons:– Fire
• may never reach site• Later spotting into
unburned fuels– Loss of aesthetic value– Dirty burn may not be
effective– Trees falling on cabin– Possible lengthy mop-up
Cabin wrap• Not commonly used anymore• Not very effective• No need for cabin wrap if
sprinklers are available• Labor intensive to install• Must be removed • Damage to structures(staples
and tacking)• Require ladders for installation
Site preparation• Clear out wood and slash piles
near structure.• Cut trees
– bucked and stacked – limbs scattered– Thin and limb larger trees
• Scatter problem dead and down( if you can’t, then sprinkler the piles)
• Trench around cabin• Clear enough to accomplish the
job, but remember why people have cabins in the woods!
• Shindaiwa/ Honda – – Low on power.– Minimal fuel consumption– Generally less than 8
sprinklers– Best for set up and leave
operations near H20.– Run time( 5 gal.) approx. 8
hrs.– 40:1 premix for both 2
stroke and 4 stroke
• Mark III – – Lots of power,– Higher fuel consumption
for set up leave operations.– Generally around 15
sprinklers– Best for cabins far from
H2O or high on the hill.– Multiple structures– Run time (5 gal.) approx. 3
hours– 40:1 premix
Pumps Use the best pump for the job
Sprinkler kit• Sprinkler Kits contain (Alaska Fire Service) :
– Shindaiwa fuel hose line 5 gal can adapter– 10 rolls / 50’ garden hose– 4 1” to ¾” reducers– 5 sprinkler heads– 5 gal. gas can(pump adapted)– 2 1” Y– 3 ¾” Y– 2 extra spark plugs– Length of “P” cord
• Kit contents may vary by agency and region• One kit does not equal one cabin
Sprinkler installation• Use enough sprinklers to cover
the entire structure. • Vary set up heights (example):
2 above roof line on opposite corners, 2 below roof line on the other opposite corners
• Adjust sprinklers as needed: • short range mist • long range spray
• Remove all kinks from 3/4” hose.
• Adjust sprinkler head for desired coverage range.
Sprinkler installation cont.• Use sprinklers on any receptive
fuels surrounding the cabin.• Make sure hose lays are
protected from cabin to pump• Adapt Shindaiwa to run off 5
gal. gas can.• Take several pictures for the
zones/land managers• If pumps are left on a
river/tidal waters, move the pump and fuel above the high water mark.
• Don’t forget the out buildings!
Sprinkler installation cont.
Do not set sprinklers up in a series connected with 5/8” hose (as shown below) the pressure loss is too great and the last sprinkler will have little to no pressure.
Pump
Sprinklers
3/4” hose
1 ½ “ – 1” hose
Sprinkler installation cont.• Run each sprinkler off of one section of garden hose attached
directly to one inch or larger hose. (see below)
Pump
Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose
1 ½ “ – 1” hose
1” hose
Gated wyeSprinkler¾”hose
Sprinkler installation cont.
Multiple sprinklers off gated wye
Sprinkler installation cont.
Tripod Pole
Sprinkler installation cont.
Tripod on roof Check coverage
Sprinkler installation cont.• Cut and notch method
– Saw Cuts – hose perpendicular to cut
– V notch to prevent sprinkler from rotating when charged
– Lash tightly
Set-up• Always test the system!
– Adequate coverage– Sprinkler tripods/poles are
secure and stable– Pre wet area– Note best pump throttle
setting– Note run time on 5 gal. Fuel
Sprinklers wetting all sides of cabin
Make a map• GPS coordinates for:
– Cabin– Pumps
• Pump property numbers• List of supplies on site• List of site prep. completed • Map structures especially if
several structure in close area ie. around a lake
• List any additional supplies needed
Additional supply needs
• Extra pump fuel• Extra hose• Extra pump• Burning supplies• Water and food (very common to be smoked in for days with no
resupply)
• Transportation??– Local boat rental– Zodiac via paracargo (with or without operator)– ATV rental
Extended time between set-up and use
• Always test pump and hose system.
• Move pump, hose, fuel and all equipment above high water line.
• If freezing temperatures are possible drain pump and hose.
Cabin etiquette• Be respectful of others
property• Pick up your trash• Don’t eat any stored food• Leave things as you found
them• Leave a note• Remember, someone may
depend on the cabin regardless of its condition.
Common watch outs• Nails in trees• Old outhouse holes• Unstable roof• Fuel/hazmat• Explosives• Bear deterrents:
– Plywood and nails– Plywood and large treble
hooks– Etc……..
What needs to be done?
What needs to be done?
What needs to be done?
Expect the unexpected