FIRING OPERATIONS C-234 Intermediate Firing Methods CONDUCTING FIRING OPERATIONS

Transcription

1 CONDUCTING FIRING OPERATIONS Firing Operations Plan Components of a Firing Plan Goals, objectives Plan of action weather forecast / observations Site preparation requirements Firing sequence Holding resource requirements/ if any? Communications Personnel and public safety SL SL Elements of a Formal Firing Plan Objectives of Firing Operation Firing Organization Operations Branch Divisions/Groups Resources Required Firing Team (s) Specialized Equipment Holding forces Mop-up forces Elements of a Formal Firing Plan (cont.) Weather Spot Weather Forecast Current OBSERVED Weather Conditions Perimeter Firing Sequence Aerial Ignition Plan (if necessary) Pre-Firing Checklist Crew Briefing Prior to Firing Approvals Division Assignment List (ICS 204 Attached) Firing Team Assignments Special Instructions/Safety Issues Assigned Frequencies Discreet Frequency for Aerial Firing Elements of a Formal Firing Plan (cont.) Attach Contingency Plan Attach Fire Behavior Forecast Safety Ensure the firing operation does not Jeopardize the safety of personnel conducting the firing operation SL Page 1

2 RESOURCES REQUIRED Fill the basic function Ignition Holding forces LINE-BASED FIRING OPERATIONS SL Direction of Progress of Overall Firing Operation Firing operations should progress overall against the wind-slope influence, in order to retain control of the set fire Wind vs. slope which way to go? Each 20% of slope is about 1 mi/hr of wind, so a modest wind can override the slope Down slope winds vary a lot at the surface beware of lulls and reversals Anchor Points / Check lines Begin firing at an anchor point to prevent uncontrolled fire from out-flanking you Check lines Temporary, open-ended lines used to slow the rate of fire spread Breaks in fuel (streambeds, rocky areas, etc.) Short hand line Wet or foam lines Air drop SL SL PREPARE THE FUEL BED Concentrations of Fuel Near the Line Remove/scatter (including ladder fuels) Minimize the Source of Firebrands Burn trouble areas separately and monitor for spots Pre-treat (as above) Remove fuels Minimize fire intensity through area of concern PREPARE THE FUEL BED (CONT.) Remove and / or isolate snags Address snags that are within 1 ½ times the snagheight from the fire line Scrape line around or pre-treat the base Treat the base of live trees that must be protected from damage Other treatments to enhance control of the firing operation Move problem fuels further into the burn; reduce rollout potential Protect fuels outside the line from radiant heat or firebrands SL SL Page 2

3 Extensive Fuel Bed Modification Requires planning Takes time Takes Resources PLAN WELL FOR IT PROBLEMS IN THE FIRE ENVIRONMENT Firing Through Saddles or Reversals of Slope Firing In Bottoms of Steep Canyons Firing In Brush Fields Firing In Timber Adverse Fuel Conditions Adverse Weather Conditions SL SL Firing through saddle or slope reversal SL SL Burn simultaneously from each peak down into the saddle. SL SL Page 3

4 Segment Firing from Top to Bottom Firing from the Bottom of a Steep Canyon SL SL Firing in Brush Fields Requires deeper burned zone than grass or litter; greater flame length May need to utilize methods/devices for higher heat intensities Small drainages may contain different fuels and cause holding problems Incomplete burn leaves the control line vulnerable SL SL Firing in Timber May require deeper burn zone than lighter fuels depending upon fuel loading Methods/devices for low heat intensities, similar to grass Longer burn out Greater spotting potential due to ember production SL SL Page 4

5 SL SL Problems with Lines Running Across the Slope Underslung (fire above) Augment holding forces to control rollouts Position rolling fuels (logs) Trench the control line Fire below the line Augment holding forces for spot fires Modify the fuel bed Lower-intensity firing patterns SL SL DEALING WITH COMMON OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS High Voltage Power Lines Thick smoke can induce arcing Between conductors To the ground Keep personnel at least 100 feet away from the right-of-way under the power lines Page 5

6 Threats To Others Be aware of threat to others from your firing operation Civilians ONGOING EVALUATION Livestock Other SL Changing Fire Environment Factors Changing Weather Wind changes Fronts Thunderstorm downdrafts Surfacing of winds aloft Variation over the terrain Diurnal patterns (ex: up/down canyon) Relative humidity and temperature changes Fuel variations Summary To be safe and effective Base firing operation on the realities of the fire environment and resources Firing plan (big or small) must be: Well designed Monitored Controlled Communicated SL SL Next 5 slides Lessons Learned Situational Awareness (E-17 Burnover) SL Page 6

7 Situational Awareness (Eagle VMP Firewhirl) Why Fire?? (Here It Comes) SL SL Attempted Backfire (Ranchita) Extreme Fire Behavior / Rate of Spread (Ripping Across) SL SL Page 7