Cold Trailing and Holdover Fires

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of cold trailing?

To create firebreaks in advance of a spreading wildfire.
To map the perimeter of actively burning forest fires.
To locate and extinguish any remaining hot spots underground. (correct)
To assess the damage caused by a recent forest fire.

Why are peat fires particularly challenging to detect, especially during the winter?

They burn deep underground and can be hidden by snow. (correct)
They emit a distinct odor that is easily identifiable.
They produce large, easily visible flames.
They only occur in remote areas with limited access.

What is a 'holdover fire' also known as?

Zombie fire (correct)
Crown fire
Surface fire
Wildfire

How can peat fires be extinguished effectively?

By exposing the soil to air and flooding it with water. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What two factors could contribute to conducive fire weather in 2024?

Drought conditions and a warm spring. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the unpredictable nature of holdover fires?

They are hard to predict. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of addressing fires early?

It can prevent issues in the spring. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Consider a scenario where a peat fire smolders at a depth of 2 meters below the surface. After a prolonged period of drought followed by a period of heavy rainfall, how might this affect the fire's behavior?

The fire may become more difficult to detect as the surface becomes waterlogged, potentially leading to a sudden resurgence when drier conditions return. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a hypothetical scenario, several holdover fires are identified across a vast boreal forest. Fire management resources are limited, and a risk assessment must be conducted to prioritize which fires to address first. Which of the following factors would be MOST critical in determining which holdover fires pose the greatest threat and require immediate attention?

The prevailing weather conditions and projected weather patterns, in conjunction with the fuel load and connectivity of the surrounding vegetation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Apart from flames and smoke, what other indicators do fire crews monitor to detect potential holdover fires?

Public calls (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is cold trailing?

Searching for smoldering fires underground to prevent forest fires from restarting.

What is a zombie fire?

A fire that persists underground, often in peat, and can reignite later.

Why are peat fires dangerous?

They are difficult to detect, can burn slowly for months, and may move unpredictably.

How to extinguish peat fires

Expose the soil to air and flood it with water.

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What contributes to fire weather?

Drought conditions and a warm spring.

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Why address peat fries now?

To prevent future issues.

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Study Notes

Cold trailing involves searching for smoldering fires underground.
The purpose of cold trailing is to ensure no hot spots remain to prevent forest fires from restarting.
Even a single ember can restart a forest fire.
Fire can burn deep in peat, smoldering slowly throughout the winter.
Fire may move 6 inches in a month, or it could move 100 meters.
Pete fires are difficult to detect in the winter, especially under snow.
Crews monitor for flames or smoke, relying on public calls.
Persistent fires are also called holdover fires or zombie fires.
Zombie fires can spring back to life.
Holdover fires are hard to predict.
Drought conditions and a warm spring could lead to conducive fire weather in 2024.
Individual holdover fires contribute a small amount to the total area burned.
In severe years, holdover fires can be substantial.
Extinguishing peat fires requires exposing the soil to air and then flooding it with water.
Addressing fires now can prevent issues in the spring.
Julia Wong from CBC News reported from Wildwood, Alberta.