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