Red Card Fire Suppression Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a 'backfire' in wildland fire suppression?
- To signal aircraft for water drops
- To burn fuel between a control line and the advancing fire (Correct answer)
- To create smoke screens for crew safety
- To test wind direction before deploying retardant
Correct answer: To burn fuel between a control line and the advancing fire
A backfire intentionally burns out fuel between a control line and the main fire, eliminating the fuel the fire needs to advance.
Question 2: When constructing a hand line, what is the standard minimum width for the mineral soil scratch line?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
- 18 inches (Correct answer)
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 18 inches
A hand line scratch to mineral soil should be at least 18 inches wide to effectively stop fire spread in most conditions.
Question 3: Which suppression method is most appropriate for a low-intensity ground fire with abundant fine fuels?
- Aerial retardant application
- Cold trailing
- Flanking attack from the heel
- Direct attack with hand tools and water (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Direct attack with hand tools and water
Low-intensity ground fires with fine fuels are best addressed with direct attack using hand tools and water to smother and cool the burning material.
Question 4: What does 'mop-up to the black' mean during fire suppression operations?
- Cleaning fire tools with black paint for identification
- Extinguishing all heat sources along the control line perimeter (Correct answer)
- Applying black retardant along the fireline
- Burning out vegetation adjacent to roads
Correct answer: Extinguishing all heat sources along the control line perimeter
Mopping up to the black means thoroughly extinguishing all smoldering material and heat within the already-burned area near the control line.
Question 5: In indirect attack strategy, where is the control line typically constructed?
- Directly on the fire's edge
- At the fire's point of origin
- Away from the fire's edge using natural barriers or roads (Correct answer)
- Uphill from the fire's head
Correct answer: Away from the fire's edge using natural barriers or roads
Indirect attack builds control lines away from the fire's edge, using natural barriers, roads, or previously cleared areas to contain the fire.
Question 6: What is the function of a 'wet line' in fire suppression?
- A hose lay along a stream for water supply
- A temporary control line created using water or foam to prevent fire spread (Correct answer)
- A boundary marker for crew positions
- A retardant drop zone designated by air attack
Correct answer: A temporary control line created using water or foam to prevent fire spread
A wet line is a temporary fire line created by applying water or foam to vegetation to suppress ignition and prevent fire spread.
Question 7: During a firing operation, what is the role of the 'holding crew'?
- Igniting the prescribed burn
- Monitoring weather conditions
- Suppressing any fire that escapes the control lines (Correct answer)
- Operating the aerial water tankers
Correct answer: Suppressing any fire that escapes the control lines
The holding crew's job is to patrol the control lines and suppress any spotfires or slop-overs that escape during a firing operation.
Red Card Fire Suppression Techniques 2
What is the primary purpose of a 'backfire' in wildland fire suppression?