Bushfire

Question 0

What is the overall objective when implementing suppression strategies?

Answer 0

• Knockdown using water fuel breaks or back burning.
• Containment ( contained within a defined perimeter).
• Mop-up and patrol

Question 1

List some actions that can be carried out to help avoid ignition of a structure when protecting property.

Answer 1

• ensure all doors and windows are closed and secure
• tape inside of windows to retain integrity of glass cracked by radiant heat
• block downpipes and fill gutters with water if possible.
• remove doormats, move outdoor furniture away from building
• scatter wood piles stacked against buildings.
• place a ladder where it can be quickly used to check roof cavities for ember entry.
• wet down structure and surroundings (with foam if possible).

Question 2

Choice of fire attack strategies should be governed by;

Answer 2

Fire behaviour
Crew safety considerations
Resources available
Terrain and access

Question 3

List the three offensive strategies

Answer 3

Direct attack
Indirect attack
Parallel attack

Question 4

When is a direct attack appropriate?

Answer 4

Flame height less than 1.5m
Access to fires edge is possible
Adequate resources are available
An immediate safe refuge or escape route is available.

Question 5

When are parallel attacks appropriate?

Answer 5

Where access is possible but flame heights are up to 3m

Burning out must keep pace with control line construction

Question 6

When is an indirect attack appropriate?

Answer 6

Where the flame height exceeds 3m and/or spotting is occurring. It may only be possible on the flanks of the fire if conditions are severe

Question 7

Defensive strategies are appropriate where;

Answer 7

Fire behaviour is extreme
Limited resources are available
The fire is remote and the attack is delayed

Question 8

What are the no go conditions for back burning

Answer 8

• long distance spotting is occurring
• the fire is running under extreme conditions
• the location of the fire edge is not known
• there are no adequate or existing control lines
• there are insufficient resources to construct and hold the back burn
• there is insufficient time to allow penetration of the back burn to a safe depth
• forecast weather conditions will lead to extreme fire danger before the back burn is secured

Question 9

What is required for safe back burning

Answer 9

Good control lines
Suitable weather and fuel conditions
Adequate resources
Adequate time

Question 10

List some important factors to consider when construction control lines

Answer 10

Location of the lines
Standard of the lines i.e. width/ vehicle access
Method of construction i.e. Hand/ machine/ aircraft
Rate of construction

Question 11

LACES

Answer 11

Lookouts
Awareness
Communications
Escape
Safety Zones