Fire Prevention & Protection Flashcards

The 'fire triangle' consists of oxygen, heat, and:

Answer: Fuel

The fire triangle requires fuel, oxygen, and heat — removing any one element will extinguish the fire.

In wildland fire prevention, what does the acronym LCES stand for?

Answer: Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, Safety zones

LCES is the foundational safety system: Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones.

Which wind pattern is most associated with increased fire danger in chaparral regions of California?

Answer: Santa Ana winds

Santa Ana winds are hot, dry, offshore winds that dramatically lower humidity and accelerate fire spread in California chaparral.

A 'snag' in the context of wildland fire hazards refers to:

Answer: A standing dead tree

A snag is a standing dead tree that poses falling hazards to firefighters and can smolder and spread fire.

Which of the following is a passive fire prevention measure for a wildland-urban interface structure?

Answer: Installing fire-resistant roofing and ember-resistant vents

Fire-resistant materials and ember-resistant vents are built-in structural features that reduce ignition without active firefighter intervention.

What is the primary goal of a fuel break in wildland fire prevention?

Answer: To create a strip of reduced or modified fuels that slows fire spread

Fuel breaks reduce fuel continuity and intensity, giving firefighters an anchor point to work from and slowing fire advance.

At what relative humidity level are fine fuels generally considered critically dry and at high fire risk?

Answer: Below 25%

Relative humidity below 25% significantly increases fire danger by drying fine fuels to critical moisture levels.