Wildland Firefighting Flashcards S-190/S-130

Questions and Answers

How many feet are in a chain?

66 feet

Name the 3 sides of the fire triangle.

Oxygen, Fuel, Heat

How does conduction supply heat to a fuel to start a fire?

Conduction transfers heat to adjacent fuels via direct contact.

How does radiation supply heat to a fuel to start a fire?

Radiation transfers heat to fuels through heat waves and rays. Signup and view all the answers

How does convection supply heat to a fuel to start a fire?

Convection transfers heat to fuels through indirect heating/cooling via wind/smoke. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for establishing an anchor point?

Creates an advantageous and safe point of origin to flank the fire by establishing control lines. Signup and view all the answers

What types of fuels might we find on the north aspect?

Heavier fuels, lower temperatures, increased humidity, wetter soil, and increased fuel moisture. Signup and view all the answers

What types of fuels might we find on the south aspect?

Lighter fuels, increased temperatures, decreased humidity, dryer soil, and decreased fuel moisture. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how a slope can affect a fire's rate of spread.

Convected heat rises, and in conjunction with radiant heat, fuels upslope from the fire dry out rapidly and combust at a much greater rate than horizontal or downslope spread. Signup and view all the answers

_ bulb measures the ambient air temperature, and _ bulb measures evaporation rates to gauge relative humidity (RH).

Dry, Wet Signup and view all the answers

Explain the inverse relationship between temperature and relative humidity (RH).

When temperature increases, relative humidity decreases. When temperature decreases, relative humidity increases. Signup and view all the answers

What direction is wind coming from in a north wind?

North, moving south. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the effect an incoming cold front might have on fire behavior.

A cold front causes pressure differences that can generate moderate to strong winds, redirecting the fire and increasing fire behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in a spot fire and a finger fire?

Finger fire - extension of fire from main body; Spot fire - isolated fire outside of fire perimeter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of spacing whilst hiking/working?

6'-10' spacing provides for crew member safety and communication to notify members of potential hazards. Signup and view all the answers

How do we load a helicopter when it is hot or cold?

Wait for instruction from Helicopter Crew Member (HCM). Signup and view all the answers

Name 5 watch out scenarios.

<ol> <li>Fire not scouted and sized up. 2) In country not seen in daylight. 3) Attempting frontal assault on fire. 4) Weather becoming hotter and drier. 5) Taking a nap near fireline.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Name 5 Standard Firefighting Orders.

<ol> <li>Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts. 2) Know what your fire is doing at all times. 3) Base all actions on current and expected fire behavior. 4) Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively. 5) Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are 5 PPE we use in wildland?

<ol> <li>Hard hat 2) Eye protection 3) Gloves 4) Flame-resistant clothing (Nomex) 5) Boots (at least 8")</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in a safe zone and a deployment site?

Safe Zone (SZ) - a planned and established zone safe from fire dynamics; Deployment site - spontaneous site utilized to deploy fire shelter due to inability to reach SZ. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the person in charge of the fire incident?

IC Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 components of the Risk Management process?

<ol> <li>SA - situational awareness 2) HA - hazard awareness 3) HC - hazard control 4) DP - decision point 5) Evaluate.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Name 5 tools used by wildland firefighters.

<ol> <li>Pulaski 2) Rhino 3) McLeod 4) Combi 5) Flapper</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 human hazards?

<ol> <li>Fatigue 2) Accidental harm 3) Poor/absent communication.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wildland Firefighting Fundamentals

A chain equals 66 feet, a standard measurement in land surveying.
The fire triangle comprises three essential elements: Oxygen, Fuel, and Heat.

Heat Transfer Methods

Conduction: Heat transfers via direct contact between materials, which can ignite adjacent fuels.
Radiation: Heat moves through waves and rays, warming fuels at a distance.
Convection: Transfers heat indirectly through moving air (winds/smoke), affecting fuels' drying and combustion rates.

Fire Management Strategies

Anchor Point: Establishing a secure location to control fire line advancement, essential for flanking tactics.

Fuel Characteristics by Aspect

North Aspect: Contains heavier fuels; experiences lower temperatures, higher humidity, wetter soil, and increased fuel moisture.
South Aspect: Features lighter fuels; encounters higher temperatures, lower humidity, drier soil, and decreased fuel moisture.

Slope Effects on Fire Behavior

Steeper slopes can enhance fire spread as convective heat rises and dried fuels combust faster than horizontal or downhill spread.

Weather Instruments

A Dry Bulb measures ambient air temperature while a Wet Bulb gauges evaporation rates, contributing to relative humidity assessments.

Temperature and Humidity Relationship

An inverse relationship exists: as temperature rises, relative humidity decreases, and vice versa.

Wind Direction

North wind denotes wind coming from the north and blowing southward.

Cold Front Impact on Fire

Incoming cold fronts can shift winds, destabilizing atmospheric conditions. This change may result in increased fire activity, spot fires, and altered fire movement.

Fire Terminology

Finger Fire: An extension of the main fire body.
Spot Fire: An isolated fire occurring outside the main fire perimeter.

Safety Protocols

Maintaining 6 to 10 feet of spacing between crew members enhances safety and facilitates communication regarding potential hazards.

Helicopter Operations

Always await instructions from the Helicopter Crew Member (HCM) when loading a helicopter, regardless of temperature conditions.

Wildland Firefighting Cautions

Watch Out Scenarios: Include scouting and sizing up fire areas, working in daylight-unseen terrain, aggressive fire assaults, worsening weather, and taking naps near firelines.
Standard Firefighting Orders: Focus on awareness of fire behavior, weather conditions, and prioritizing safety while executing fire fighting tactics.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Essential PPE items: Hard hat, eye protection, gloves, flame-resistant clothing (like Nomex), and boots (minimum 8 inches).

Safety Zone vs Deployment Site

Safe Zone: A pre-established area providing protection from fire dynamics (at least four times the maximum continuous flame height).
Deployment Site: An impromptu location for deploying fire shelters when safe zones are unattainable.

Incident Command Structure

The Incident Commander (IC) is the central authority responsible for managing fire incidents.

Risk Management Components

Key components of the Risk Management Process: Situational Awareness, Hazard Awareness, Hazard Control, Decision Points, and Evaluation.

Firefighting Tools

Common tools used in wildland firefighting include: Pulaski, Rhino, McLeod, Combi, and Flapper.

Human Hazards in Firefighting

Significant human hazards involve fatigue, accidental injuries, and ineffective communication among team members.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering essential concepts from the Wildland Firefighting Course S-190/S-130. Each card provides critical definitions and terms related to firefighting principles, including the fire triangle and heat transfer methods. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of wildland firefighting techniques.