Fire Suppression Flashcards

When constructing a handline fireline, what is the standard minimum width for a fireline in light fuels?

Answer: 1.5 times the height of surrounding fuel

A fireline should be at least 1.5 times the height of the surrounding fuel to provide an adequate break.

The 'cold trailing' method of fire suppression is best described as:

Answer: Feeling the ash and burned material with bare hands to detect heat

Cold trailing involves feeling the burned area with bare hands to detect residual heat and ensure the fire is truly out.

Which suppression tactic involves igniting fuels between the fire and a control line to widen the buffer zone?

Answer: Backfire

A backfire is intentionally set from a control line to burn toward the main fire, consuming fuels in between.

When using a McLeod tool on fireline construction, the preferred technique is to:

Answer: Alternate between scraping with the blade and raking with the tines

Alternating between the scraping blade and raking tines maximizes efficiency when constructing fireline with a McLeod.

What does the term 'anchor point' refer to in fireline construction?

Answer: A safe starting location for building fireline to prevent the fire from flanking the crew

An anchor point is an advantageous location—such as a road or rock outcrop—from which to begin fireline construction safely.

During mop-up operations, a 'hotspot' located 10 feet inside the black is most appropriately treated by:

Answer: Digging out the hot material and mixing it with cold soil or water

Hotspots inside the black should be dug out and mixed with cold soil or water to ensure complete extinguishment.

Which type of attack uses a fireline built some distance away from and parallel to the fire edge in rapidly spreading fires?

Answer: Indirect attack

Indirect attack establishes a control line away from the fire's edge, using natural barriers or burned-out areas as part of the line.