BF Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define “Contained”
The status of a Wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.
Define “Controlled”
The stage during fire suppression activities at which the complete perimeter of a fire is secured and no breakaway is expected
Define “Fireline or Control Line”
A natural or constructed barrier, or treated fire edge, used in fire suppression and prescribed burning or limit the spread of fire
Define “Breakaway” or “Hop Over”
The points at which a fire, after it has been contained, escapes into unburnt areas across a Fireline or fire edge.
Define “Crowning”
A fire ascending into the crowns of tree and spreading from crown to crown
Define an “Island/pocket”
An unburnt area within a fire perimeter
Define “Safe”
The stage of bushfire suppression or prescribed burning when it is considered that no further suppression actions or patrols are necessary
Define “Spot Fire”
- Isolated fire starter ahead of the main fire by sparks, embers, or other ignited material, sometimes to several kilometres.
What are the 3 main factors that affect fire behaviour?
Fuel - type, quantity, condition and arrangement
Weather - temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric stability
Topography - shape or lay of land
Describe the head fire
The part of a fire where the rate of spread, flame height and intensity are greatest, usually when burning downwind or upslope
Describe Tail Fire
The part of a fire which is burning back against the wind or downslope, where the flame height and rate of spread are reduced
Describe the Flanks of a fire
Both sides of the fire between the head and tail are called the flanks.
They are roughly parallel to the main direction of spread
Fire intensity on the flanks is less than at the head
Describe fingers
Long, narrow slivers of fire which extend beyond the head or flanks
Describe some indicators of extreme fire behaviour
Dark black smoke
Flame height changes dramatically (surging/pulsating)
Tree crowns enveloped by flames
Spot fires starting in very high numbers at increasing distance
Describe a defensive strategy
Is one where because of extreme fire behaviour, limited resources or general remoteness of the fire, no attempt is made to attack the fire at all as it is too dangerous or futile.
Describe offensive strategies
Is one where the fire can be attacked or extinguished safely and effectively.
Used to attack and control the fire to minimise the adverse impact from both the fire and the suppression activities
Describe a direct attack
Where the suppression methods are applied directly to the fire edge usually I low intensity fires that can easily and safely be accessed by firefighters
Describe a parallel attack
Contains the fire by the construction of fire control line by machines outside of and parallel to the fire edge, usually in medium intensity fires that have a slow rate at spread and/or in difficult terrain
Describe an Indirect attack
Involves the use of back burning or firebreak construction some distance away from the edge, usually in more intense or inaccessible fires.
