Wildland-Urban Interface Structural Triage & Defense PDF

RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY FIELD OPERATING GUIDELINES WILDLAND-URBAN INTERACE STRUCTURAL TRIAGE & DEFENSE Structures threatened by wildland fire may not be situated on paved, wide streets. In a...

RIVERSIDE FIRE AUTHORITY FIELD OPERATING GUIDELINES WILDLAND-URBAN INTERACE STRUCTURAL TRIAGE & DEFENSE Structures threatened by wildland fire may not be situated on paved, wide streets. In all probability they may be at the end of long, narrow drives opening off of rural roads and are flanked by flammable vegetation. Many will be on very steep and narrow single lane roads. Five factors to help make a triage decision are:  Firefighter safety  The structure itself. (Wood Shake roof vs. tile or THREE CATERGORIES OF STRUCTURAL TRIAGE metal, open gables or overhanging decks, built on a ridge, etc)  Structures needing little or no attention.  Surrounding fuels. A structure surrounded by a 30  Structures needing protection, but savable. foot zone cleared of flammable vegetation is  Structures that are indefensible. considered adequate defensible space.  Fire behavior  Available resources and water supply STANDARD STRUCTURE DEFENSE ENGINE ORDERS  Mark the route or alternative route, to include  Lead the lines behind the engine and not in the exit safety zones. path.  Back the engine into position and positioned to  The roofline, intended primarily for quick action on make it safe and convenient to work from. small ember fires on the roof, can be hard-line or  Leave engine running. garden hose. If the roof becomes heavily involved  Don't block access for other equipment or larger lines will be needed. evacuating vehicles.  An engine safety line should be provided for the  Do not park over flammable vegetation. protection of the engine and crew.  Park on the side of the structure that minimizes  "STAY MOBILE!" Avoid the tendency to "dig in" the exposure to heat or firebrands. and wait for the fire, while tied into extensive  Park close enough, but not right next to, the networks of supply and attack lines. structure in order to limit the length of hose lines.  Effective application is the key to conserving your  Avoid parking next to or under such hazards as water. Take advantage of any opportunity to add power lines, trees, and fuel tanks, and on water to your tank even if it means running a roadways with the fire on the low slope side. garden hose from the structure to your tank.  Leave the doors closed with the windows rolled  Close windows, vents, doors, and drapes. Move up. combustibles away from the house.  Deploy two lines, one around each side of the  Wetting down fuels is usually a waste of time and structure or around a pair of structures. water. More productively water can be used to:  Lines need to be long enough for the streams to o Reduce or limit the potential build-up of meet behind the structures. heat.  Attach the lines to the same side or discharge of o Knock down the fire in surface fuels. the engine, and to outlets that have a valve. This o Prevent it from getting into heavy, will allow the lines to be rapidly disconnected troublesome fuels. should a retreat be necessary.