Red Card Land Navigation & Topographic Map Reading

Question 1

On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate:

Accepted Answer

Steep terrain with a rapid rate of elevation change

Answer

Closely spaced contour lines represent steep terrain because each line marks the same elevation interval — when those intervals are packed tightly together, the ground rises or falls sharply over a short horizontal distance.

Question 2

The contour interval on a topographic map is 40 feet. If you count 5 contour lines between your position and a ridgeline, the elevation difference is:

Accepted Answer

200 feet

Answer

The elevation difference equals the number of contour lines multiplied by the contour interval: 5 × 40 = 200 feet. Each line represents one full interval.

Question 3

When using a baseplate compass on a topographic map, 'declination' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The angle between true north (map north) and magnetic north

Answer

Magnetic declination is the angular difference between true (geographic) north shown on a map and the magnetic north that a compass needle points to. Failing to account for declination leads to significant navigation errors over long distances.

Question 4

A 'saddle' on a topographic map is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A low point or depression between two higher summits on a ridge

Answer

A saddle (also called a col or notch) is the low point connecting two peaks along a ridge. On a topo map it appears as two sets of concentric contour lines facing each other with a narrowing between them. Saddles are important terrain features for route planning and escape route identification.

Question 5

In wildland firefighting, understanding aspect (the direction a slope faces) is important primarily because:

Accepted Answer

South- and west-facing slopes typically receive more solar radiation, producing drier, more flammable fuels

Answer

South- and west-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere receive more direct solar radiation throughout the day, leading to lower fuel moisture, warmer temperatures, and faster drying. This makes fuels on those aspects significantly more flammable and fire spread faster compared to shaded north- or east-facing slopes.

Red Card - Wildland Firefighter Red Card Certification Practice Test

Red Card - Wildland Firefighter Red Card Certification Practice Test

Red Card Land Navigation & Topographic Map Reading