basic fire control training
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Basic Fire Control Training. Ignition Techniques (adapted from FL DOF. Objectives. Characterize basic fire types Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
BFCT
Basic Fire Control Training
Ignition Techniques
(adapted from FL DOF
Objectives Characterize basic fire types Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will
do this later in your Burn Plan)
Two situations requiring knowledge of ignition techniques
Prescribed Fire: “Fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest fuels on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives”
Suppression burning is the use of prescribed fire in a wildland fire situation
2 types of suppression burning
Counter Fire
Burn-out
Counter Fire Fire applied to stop the forward
spread of uncontrolled fire GENERALLY NOT USED IN I.A. NEED AT LEAST 2 CREW MEMBERS ONLY IN CERTAIN FUEL TYPES (
not blowy leaf!) ONLY BY EXPERIENCED
firefighters HIGH RISK TIME CRITICAL
Burn-out: when? Often times on
wildfires, control lines are established some distance from fire edge Pockets Inaccessible areas Pre-existing
control lines Areas of lesser fuel
concentrations
What are the FACTORS TO DETERMINE FIRING TECHNIQUES?
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES WIND SPEED & DIRECTIONWIND SPEED & DIRECTION SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN
CLOSE PROXIMITY?CLOSE PROXIMITY? CREW CREW
EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGEEXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE
Basic Fire Types- Related to Wind Characterize basic fire types
1. Backing2. Head3. Flanking
Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will
do this later in your Burn Plan)
1. Backing Fire Used to establish baseline Generally safest Longer residence times Slowest R.O.S.’s (1-3 ch/hr)
ROS determined by Fuel Moisture Excellent for heavy fuel loads Used to burn around values Generally not the primary
technique Why not???
1. Backing Fire
1. Backing Fire
BURNS INTO THE WINDBURNS INTO THE WIND
1. Backing Fire
1. Backing Fire When backfire is the primary
technique, consider: Windspeeds & fuel moistures Establishing additional baselines Orienting burn blocks
WIND
2. Strip-Head Fire
STAY BEHIND STAY BEHIND DOWNWIND DOWNWIND IGNITOR!IGNITOR!
2. Strip-Head Fire Most frequently used technique Fastest method Can manipulate intensity with strip
width and time interval Consider:
Width of strips Changing weather conditions Changing fuel conditions Using spots where necessary Spotting potential Convection activity “Closing the door” too soon
2. Strip-Head Fire
Flank Fire
REMAIN IN REMAIN IN SIGHTSIGHT
MAINTAINMAINTAIN
PACEPACE
3. Flank Fire Can be an excellent tool, burn large
areas with less effort Uniform fire intensities Minimal spotting Good in diverse fuel types Consider:
Winds (Dir. & Speed.)- must be steady! Number & experience of igniters- must
be experienced! Communications & visibility (in unit) Conducive burn block orientation Using spot ignitions within the flanks Varying the flank ignition speed to
control intensity
3. Flank Fire
FLANK FIREWINDWIND
FIRE BURNS 90° FIRE BURNS 90°
TO WINDTO WINDWALK INTO WINDWALK INTO WIND
3. Flank Fire
4. Point Source (Spot) Fire
4. Point Source (Spot) Fire
Excellent for large areas (aerial ignition)
Best technique for controlling intensities in various weather conditions
Can be used in conjunction with strip head & flank technique
Effective in heavy fuels Burn manager can control where
convection occurs Quickest way to complete ignition
Point Source (Spot) Fire When spot firing, burn managers
should consider: Width between spots Width between strips How to change fire intensity Changes in weather & fuels Location of spots Spotting potential Difficulty in maintaining grid Grid orientation to wind Fast burn, high convection
Point Source (Spot) Fire, initiation
Point Source (Spot) Fire- growth
5. Ring Fire
Traditionally used for site-prep Minimizes short range spotting Quick & easy Early “point-of-no-return” Traps wildlife High convection When using ring ignition, consider:
Access Objectives (overstory, smoke plume, speed) Begin with center point ignition
5. Ring Fire
5. Ring Fire
How it’s really done:How it’s really done:
USE A VARIETY OF USE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES OVER A TECHNIQUES OVER A RANGE OF WEATHER RANGE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC BURN PATTERNSBURN PATTERNS
SECUREING A BASE LINE…SECUREING A BASE LINE…
LINE WIDTH?LINE WIDTH?
>2X FLAME >2X FLAME LENGTHLENGTH
DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”!DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”!
CAN CAUSE FIRE WHIRLS (VORTICES)
USE CAUTION WALKING USE CAUTION WALKING DOWNWIND!DOWNWIND!
USE CAUTION IN HEAVY USE CAUTION IN HEAVY FUELSFUELS
USE CAUTION ON USE CAUTION ON SLOPESSLOPES
USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES CONVERGECONVERGE
ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS DOINGDOING
FIRE GENERATED FIRE GENERATED WINDSWINDS
KNOW LOCATIONS OF KNOW LOCATIONS OF PERSONNEL & PERSONNEL & EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT
L.C.E.S.L.C.E.S.LLOOKOUTSOOKOUTSCCOMMUNICATIONS OMMUNICATIONS EESCAPE ROUTESSCAPE ROUTESSSAFETY ZONESAFETY ZONES
SAFETY should always be on your mind