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Part 1
Section 1 - 5 BASIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR (PLEASE SCROLL DOWN)
Part 2
Section 6 - 10 (Redirect to FastTrack course)
Part 3
Section 11 - 15 (Redirect to FastTrack course)
Part 4
Section 16 - 20 (Redirect to FastTrack course)
Part 5
Section 21 (Redirect to FastTrack course)
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PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Throughout our courses you will see "text boxes" similar to this one, with one or more PRACTICE QUESTIONS. We recommend you complete these PRACTICE QUESTIONS. These are "tools" to help you become more familiar with the course material and to complete the course more successfully.
After you "Submit Answer" each Practice Question -
(THERE ARE NO INTENDED "TRICK" QUESTIONS)
Part 1. Section 1 - 5 BASIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR
BASIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR
Section 1 - Fire Triangle & Types of Fires
Types of Fires
Subsurface Fires-
burning in the duff, partially decayed leaves and woody material do
not pose a great safety hazard to the fire fighters. Be careful to not
step into burned out root or stump holes. Be extra cautious if the fire
is burning in “winter” landings as the burned out material may create
deep and very hot holes. If a ground fire extends to large
quantities of dead or dry material accumulations the fire may spread
rapidly. Fire fighters must be aware of possible fire entrapment
situations and take avoidance procedures.
Surface This is
the main area in a forest where people walk and what they most
commonly see. (where you walk) The surface fuels such as grasses, small shrubs, bushes,
windfall, slash, and lower branches of standing trees, are all in this
zone. Fires in this zone are subject to winds therefore there may be
more radiant heat, smoke, flames, flare-ups and sudden change of fire
spread direction. Heavy fuel accumulations and higher surface winds
create potential conditions for entrapment.
Crews must know where their minimum of two valid escape routes are at all times.
Ladder Fuel Zone
The ladder fuels are considered to be the lower hanging branches from
standing trees. These branches are often dead, covered in moss, and
almost touch the ground. If a fire reaches ladder fuels it may “climb”
the branches up and into the crown of the tree. The rapid burning up a
single tree or even a few trees in a group is called candling or
torching.
This is an indication that at least at that location, conditions are good for more candling and potential crown fire behaviour.
Crews should be re-briefed and overall fire conditions should be reassessed.
Crown Fire A Crown fire consists of the upper canopy or branches, (tree tops) catching on fire - and then a large group or area of trees in the forest all burn in the same manner. This is a "running crown fire" and is extremely dangerous. Fire crews should not be present as they will be in harms way. Crews must be pulled back to safe zones PRIOR to this extreme and dangerous fire behaviour.
Section 2 - Fuel Types
Caution
should be exercised in proportion to the type, quantity, size, spacing
and moisture content of the forest fuels. Wet fuel (high moisture
content) will not generate the same heat intensity as will dry fuels.
Light, (fines) dry fuel such as pine needles and grasses will ignite
very easily. A fire burning in light fuels may spread very rapidly.
Larger diameter branches and logs are considered heavy, slower burning
fuels. Areas of dense accumulations of heavier fuels (fuel loading)
will be more hazardous because of the high heat intensity that will
occur. It is also more difficult to work in areas of thick, heavy brush
and windfall, etc. thus tactical withdrawal considerations must be given
more time allowance. The crew may fatigue more rapidly in these areas
due to the intense labour involved to build fire-line. A fire burning
in heavy accumulations generally will travel (spread) at a slower rate
than lighter, fine fuels.
Broad-leaved trees (deciduous - drop leaves in fall) generally grow where there is more ground water, thus
the tree is usually holding a higher water content. (moisture content)
Stands of these trees, may, in some instances, be used as temporary safe
zones. They may also be a natural part of the overall fire control
line.
There is recent and ongoing research being carried out in regards to fire behaviour in Mountain Pine Beetle infested stands of timber. It must be clearly understood that fire behaviour in Mountain Pine Beetle infested stands of timber may be very unpredictable and extreme. Aerial firebrands (airborne burning debris and sticks) from stands of dead, greyed up (no needles) trees may also be of considerable issue. Be aware of possible fire entrapment situations and exercise extreme caution.
Firefighters must also be very very wary of any dead standing tree. Trees killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle may break off or fall with no advance warning and with the slightest of disturbances. (a breeze or ground vibrations) Be safe!
(We have been working with fuel management and hazard tree abatement programs for the last few years and have seen some near misses on homes and vehicles just from slight winds or ground disturbance)
Section 3 - Weather
Weather
is dominant in fire fighting safety. Hot, dry and windy conditions are
far more dangerous than cool, moist conditions with little or no wind.
Key components of weather are; temperature, wind, precipitation and R/H
(relative humidity, measured in a % - This is the amount of water in
the air at a given time). Humidity affects the moisture content of the
fuel.
Caution must be exercised as weather conditions become
more severe. (hotter, drier, and increased winds) If a strong “wind
event” is predicted the local Fire Centre will issue a “weather advisory” to all crews in the field.
Crews must be prepared to withdraw or evacuate from a fire if weather conditions deteriorate.
Weather has a major influence on all field operations.
During
a normal summer day, fire behaviour conditions will become more severe
and aggressive as the day warms up into the late afternoon. Up- slope
winds usually increase during this same period.
Inversion - An "inversion" is a micro-climate (weather) situation that may occur in mountainous terrain. A layer of warmer air may become "trapped" between layers of cooler air above and below. Fire behaviour in this layer (inversion zone) will be more active than above or below.
Section 4 - Topography
Topography
is the “lay” of the land or terrain. We may describe the topography as
flat, rolling, steep, or mountainous with gullies and canyons.
Slope
can have a dramatic affect on fire behaviour. Fire will move up-slope
and spread more rapidly than on flatter ground. Daily, up-slope winds
help this to occur. Flames are also closer to the fuels above and
preheating and drying occurs. The hotter air from from fire causes
more up-slope wind currents to be formed. Another reason fire spreads
faster on hillsides is that burning pine cones, branches and debris may
roll back down the hill, spreading more fire. (rolling debris)
Rolling debris is a potential Fire Entrapment situation.
Fire fighting on
steep and often rocky slopes is hard work. Rolling rocks loosened by
fire crews are a hazard to crews working below. The gullies and canyons
on hillsides are danger areas because “chimney effects” occur in them.
Natural winds and fire caused up-slope winds will be funneled into these
gullies. Fires will burn more intensely and rapidly up gullies. Never
attempt to take shelter from a fire in a gully. If you find you are
suddenly above the fire, never try to outrun the fire by going up hill.
Run down and out to the sides, away from the fire.
Most (but not all) fires will require one or more lookouts. Their job is to advise fire crews of serious and sudden threatening fire behaviour.
Lookouts should be:
Aspect is described as “what compass direction is the slope or mountain side facing?” (If you are on a hillside, looking out over the view - what compass direction are you facing?)
Southern
exposures (aspect) generally have lighter fuels (grasses) and are
usually warmer. Fires will travel rapidly on south aspects - but often
slowing down considerably once the fire reaches the crest. Northern exposures generally have greener, denser, larger, fuels and are
somewhat cooler and retain the moisture longer. Fires are often not as
intense on the north side.
To Summarize these THREE FACTORS that affect HOW a fire burns;
Section 5 - Fire Rank System
The
fire rank system enables the fire fighter to better understand the fire
conditions they will encounter, and to enable better communications of
these same conditions to other crews. The general ranking system below
will assist a fire fighter in determining what a fire may look like and
some basic fire behaviour which may be expected.
Rank 1
Smouldering
fire in or on the ground. Slow moving, creeping type of fire. No
flames visible and produce a white smoke. If the Drought Codes are
high, mop-up may be extensive.
Rank 2
Low vigor surface fire in grass and brush. Flames knee height. Generally has an unorganized flame front.(no distinct head)
It may be safe to attack a Rank 1 or Rank 2 fire on any side.
Rank 3
Moderately
aggressive surface fire in brush and lower limbs. Flames 1 - 2 meters.
There will be an organized front. Hand constructed guards may be
challenged unless immediate and proper burning-off is conducted as the
guard is being built. If wind driven, this fire will produce spot
fires.
Rank 4
High vigor fire burning on surface and
into some tree tops (candling). flames over 2 meters in height. Fire
crews should regroup and re-assess the fire conditions and action plan.(this may be an opportunity to safely (tactical) withdrawal crews to more stable and safer locations on the fire) (Safety Zones)
Short range spotting will occur. Generally not safe to be at the head of the fire. Flanking and burn-off action will be required by professional fire crews. (this may be an opportunity to safely withdraw crews to more stable and safer locations on the fire)
Rank 5
Extreme
surface fire behaviour. Whole trees engulfed and fire beginning to
jump from tree top to tree top (running crown fire). Serious fire
spotting will occur. Ground action only at base and maybe flanks, well
away from the Rank 5 fire behaviour. Crews must move back to safe
zones as a tactical withdraw before a full scale evacuation may be
required. Ministry of Forests crews should be taking over full contol
of fire suppression activities. Fire action plan must be re-assessed.
Aerial action may have limited or very site-specific value.
Rank 6
Total blow up or conflagration. Rate of spread is extreme. This is a
full running crown fire. Fire brands, (airborne burning debris and
sticks) fireballs and general very extensive long distance spotting.
Fire crews and aircraft will not attempt to attack Rank 6 fires.
See Ministry of Forest's Fire Ranking Photos
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