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

PumpsUse 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 wye

Sprinkler

¾”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