CPFM Fire Planning & Preparation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which element of a burn plan describes the specific, measurable results the burn is intended to achieve?
- Complexity analysis summary
- Goals and objectives (Correct answer)
- Description of the prescribed fire area
- Contingency plan
Correct answer: Goals and objectives
Objectives should be specific and measurable, such as percent fuel reduction or shrub top-kill.
Question 2: When should a spot weather forecast generally be obtained for a planned burn?
- Only after the test fire
- Only during the planning stage months ahead
- Within roughly 24 hours of ignition, per agency guidance (Correct answer)
- Only if winds exceed 20 mph
Correct answer: Within roughly 24 hours of ignition, per agency guidance
Agencies generally require a current spot forecast, typically within 24 hours of ignition, for the Go/No-Go decision.
Question 3: Which factor most increases the probability of ignition from spotting outside the unit?
- High fine dead fuel moisture
- Recent rainfall on the unit
- Ignition by backing fire
- Low fine dead fuel moisture and high air temperature outside the line (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Low fine dead fuel moisture and high air temperature outside the line
Dry fine fuels and high temperatures raise probability of ignition, increasing spot fire risk across the line.
Question 4: What is the main purpose of the pre-burn briefing?
- To ensure all personnel understand objectives, assignments, hazards, communications, and contingency actions (Correct answer)
- To complete the post-burn report
- To sign the complexity analysis
- To obtain the air quality permit
Correct answer: To ensure all personnel understand objectives, assignments, hazards, communications, and contingency actions
The briefing ensures everyone knows the plan, their role, hazards, escape routes, and communications before ignition.
Question 5: In the PMS 424 risk-and-potential-consequence process, mitigations in the burn plan are applied to determine:
- Initial risk
- Residual risk after mitigation (Correct answer)
- Total cost of the project
- The number of acres to burn
Correct answer: Residual risk after mitigation
Planned mitigations reduce initial risk, and the remaining level is assessed as residual risk.
Question 6: A burn plan's contingency plan should specify, for contingency resources:
- Only their names
- Only their radio frequencies
- Their type, quantity, location, and maximum response time (Correct answer)
- Only their cost
Correct answer: Their type, quantity, location, and maximum response time
Contingency resources must be identified by type, number, and response time so they can arrive when needed.
Question 7: Why are mop-up and patrol standards included in the burn plan?
- To determine burn complexity
- To list air quality receptors
- To set the ignition pattern
- To define when the fire is considered secure and out, and prevent reburn or escape after ignition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To define when the fire is considered secure and out, and prevent reburn or escape after ignition
Mop-up and patrol standards ensure residual heat near lines is handled before the burn is declared out.
