Mop-Up Operations Flashcards
7 cards from real S-130 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mop-Up Operations flashcards as text
What does the term 'scratch line' mean in relation to mop-up in S-130?
Answer: A temporary control line quickly constructed to slow fire spread
A scratch line is a quickly constructed, minimal control line built to halt or slow fire spread, which is later improved and widened during mop-up and line construction.
What is the safest position for a firefighter when felling a hazardous snag during mop-up?
Answer: At a 45-degree angle to the planned fall direction and at a safe distance
Standing at a 45-degree angle to the fall direction and at a safe distance protects the firefighter from the falling snag, butt kick, and debris scatter.
During mop-up, a firefighter notices smoke rising from a previously treated area uphill. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: A sleeper fire traveling through roots or duff from an untreated hotspot
Smoke appearing from a treated area is a strong indicator of a sleeper fire traveling through subsurface organic material or root channels from an incompletely extinguished hotspot.
How does water conservation best practice apply to mop-up when water supply is limited?
Answer: Use small amounts of water mixed thoroughly into soil rather than flooding the surface
Mixing small amounts of water thoroughly into soil maximizes the cooling effect and conserves water by ensuring moisture contacts smoldering material rather than running off.
What standard mop-up distance from the control line is typically specified in the Incident Action Plan?
Answer: 100 feet
While the Incident Commander specifies the exact distance, 100 feet from the control line is a commonly used standard mop-up distance in many Incident Action Plans.
When using a Pulaski during mop-up, how is the tool most effectively used on a smoldering log?
Answer: Use the axe blade to split the log open, then mix exposed interior with water
Splitting the log with the axe blade of the Pulaski exposes the smoldering interior so that water can reach and extinguish the burning core when mixed in.
Under the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders relevant to mop-up, what must a firefighter always maintain awareness of even while working in a 'cold' burned area?
Answer: Escape routes and safety zones in case conditions change
The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders require firefighters to always know their escape routes and safety zones, even in apparently safe mopped-up areas where conditions can rapidly change.