lincolnshire fire & rescue

1Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Training Centre

LINCOLNSHIRE FIRE & RESCUELINCOLNSHIRE FIRE & RESCUERURAL RURAL

FIREFIGHTINGFIREFIGHTING


COMPETENCE STATEMENTS:CS416 – Heath & Woodland Fires

CS396 – Flexible Backpack Extinguisher


AIMAIM

To give operational crews an understanding of the hazards, risks and operational procedures associated

with controlling rural fires, in particular

“Heath and Woodland fires”


OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES• List and explain the different rural fires and their hazards

• Identify the hazards, risks and control measures when extinguishing the three different types of heath and woodland fire

• Describe the methods to protect personnel, equipment and appliances from heat, fire and smoke spread

• Define the term “Crown Fire”

• Identify some other possible resources, farm equipment or farm systems that could assist with, and control, the fire spread

• Recall other types of rural fires and the need to consider local fire plans


RURAL FIRES - CLASSIFICATIONSRURAL FIRES - CLASSIFICATIONS

Classifications• Smouldering• Creeping• Running• Torching• Spotting• Crowning• Blow-Up


RURAL FIRES - HAZARDSHazards• Terrain• Weather conditions• Smoke• Fatigue• Lone working• Manual handling• Overhead power lines• Rapid fire spread• Difficult access• Night working• Manoeuvring off road• Surrounded by fire


HEATH AND GRASS FIRESThere are three types of heath and grass fire:

• Heath and Grass fires in non-peaty soil

• Heath and Grass fires in peaty soil

• Gorse, Bracken and undergrowth fires


1) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES 1) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES IN NON-PEATY SOILIN NON-PEATY SOIL

Characteristics• The fire only travels through surface growth

Extinguishing Methods:• To extinguish use beaters or water• Consider the ‘Flexible Backpack Extinguisher’• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier

Risks::• Personnel becoming isolated• Lack of water supplies


2) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES 2) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES IN PEATY SOILIN PEATY SOIL

Characteristics• Fires travel underground as well as

above ground• Fire travelling underground is almost

invisible

Extinguishing Methods:• Surface fires are extinguished as per non-peaty soil mentioned

previously• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier• Underground fires can be extinguished either by:

i) Trenching ii) Water Jets

Risks:• Injury to personnel due to soft ground• Limited access for vehicles & by foot – fatigue, stress


3) GORSE, BRACKEN AND 3) GORSE, BRACKEN AND UNDERGROWTH FIRESUNDERGROWTH FIRES

Characteristics• Generally more dense

and wider covering

Extinguishing Methods:• Fire Breaks• High pressure hose reel jets• Wetting a fire break• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier• Beaters – limited use

Risks:• Personnel & public near by• Carrying equipment over rough terrain


WOODLAND FIRESWOODLAND FIRESCharacteristics:• Numerous sizes and types of trees• Sparks can travel long distances causing

secondary fires• Change of wind directions• Underground fires• Crown FiresExtinguish by:• Create fire breaks• Beating – limited use• Use of water – jets and hosereels• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier

Crown Fires: This is a term used when the fire spreads from one tree to the next, high up in the tree canopy. It causes problems with the fire spreading over the top of firefighters and it’s extremely difficult to extinguish.


WHEN ATTENDING INCIDENTSWHEN ATTENDING INCIDENTS• Liaise with Forestry Commission Officers• Refer to the fire plan (if available)• Consider RVP’s, access, water supplies ( early make

ups )• Decide on the action to be taken• Ensure all personnel have correct PPE and manual

handling techniques• Monitor crew welfare / hydration ( reliefs )• Monitor fire spread• Monitor water supplies• Monitor environmental conditions


PPE & MANUAL HANDLING PPE & MANUAL HANDLING CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

• Full PPE (inc goggles, gloves, BA if required)

• Carrying equipment over rough terrain

• Creating Fire Breaks

• Beating

• Making up large quantities of hose & equipment

• Crew welfare / hydration (Safety Flash: 07/06)


FIRE SPREAD & ACCESSFIRE SPREAD & ACCESSSpeed of fire spread due to:Environmental conditions –• Weather, temperature, wind direction (speed and strength)

• Type (FUEL) & size of vegetation area

Access for appliances & personnel:• Limited with large open areas of vegetation• Terrains vary - steep hillsides to soft boggy areas


HAZARDS OF FIRE SPREADHAZARDS OF FIRE SPREAD

Loss of appliances

Loss of water suppliesProperty involved

Firefighters surrounded by fire


OVERHEAD POWER LINESOVERHEAD POWER LINES

SOP 13, Risk Card 29


HAZARDS OF SMOKE SPREADHAZARDS OF SMOKE SPREAD

DisorientationConcealed hazards

Reduced visibility

Isolation of personnel

Smoke Smoke affecting affecting nearby nearby

public roadspublic roadsSmoke Inhalation


NON SERVICE EQUIPMENT & NON SERVICE EQUIPMENT & PERSONNELPERSONNEL

ConsiderationsConsiderations::• Suitability of the equipment• Lack of competence of the operators• Lack of experience of emergency situations• Lack of effective command and control systems• Service personnel and members of the public close by

• Agricultural vehicles• Earth moving vehicles ( Above must be trained operators ) • Volunteers – supervise!


OTHER TYPES OF RURAL FIRES OTHER TYPES OF RURAL FIRES WITHIN LINCOLNSHIREWITHIN LINCOLNSHIRE

• Standing crop fires• Stubble fires• Haystacks• Agricultural buildings and machinery/Vehicle fires • Railway embankments• Hedges/Hedgerows• Landfill fires• Woods e.g. , Bourne, Laughton, Stapleford

This list is not exhaustive


RISK CARD 47RISK CARD 47


REFERENCESREFERENCESCrews should familiarise themselves with the following:

• Risk card 47 - Rural Fires• Risk card 29 - Electricity• NOS Unit FF4.1 / FF4.2• SOP 13 - Rural Areas• F202 / F202A• TB 1/97 – Breathing Apparatus• Op Tac note 9 – Water Supply • Op Tech note 70 – PPE• Safety Flash 07/06


SUMMARYSUMMARY

• The different types of rural fires and their characteristics• Identified the hazards, risks and control measures when

extinguishing the three different types of heath and woodland fire

• The methods to protect personnel, equipment and appliances from heat, fire and smoke spread

• The term “Crown Fire”

• Identified other resources, farm equipment and farm systems that could assist with, and control, the fire spread

• Recalled other types of rural fires and the need to consider local fire plans


ANY ANY QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

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