S-130 Fire Suppression 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a crew is caught in a rapidly changing fire situation and must deploy fire shelters, they should deploy in:
- A dense cluster to share heat protection
- The nearest available ditch or low spot, spread apart from each other
- An open area, lying face down with feet toward the fire, spread apart (Correct answer)
- Uphill from the fire to allow hot gases to pass underneath
Correct answer: An open area, lying face down with feet toward the fire, spread apart
Firefighters should deploy in an open area, lying face down with feet toward the fire, and spread apart to minimize heat transfer between shelters.
Question 2: In the context of wildland fire operations, what does the term 'progressive hose lay' mean?
- A hose lay that advances toward the fire as water supply is extended (Correct answer)
- A hose configuration used only on steep slopes with pumps
- A permanent hose system installed along major roads
- A hose lay that runs parallel to the fire rather than toward it
Correct answer: A hose lay that advances toward the fire as water supply is extended
A progressive hose lay extends incrementally toward the fire, adding hose sections and lateral lines as suppression advances.
Question 3: Which hand signal is used to communicate 'stop' or 'hold' when working near noisy equipment or in smoke?
- One arm raised overhead waving side to side
- Closed fist raised overhead (Correct answer)
- Both arms crossed above the head
- Thumbs down pointed toward the ground
Correct answer: Closed fist raised overhead
A closed fist raised overhead is the standard wildland fire hand signal for 'stop' or 'hold' operations.
Question 4: During initial attack, the most critical factor in determining whether direct attack is appropriate is:
- The number of resources available
- Crew fatigue levels at the time of dispatch
- Whether firefighters can work safely at the fire's edge given current behavior (Correct answer)
- The distance from the nearest air tanker base
Correct answer: Whether firefighters can work safely at the fire's edge given current behavior
Direct attack is only appropriate when current fire behavior allows crews to safely work at the fire's edge without unacceptable risk.
Question 5: A retardant line dropped by an air tanker is most effective when used as:
- A definitive control line requiring no follow-up by ground crews
- A delay tactic to slow fire spread until ground crews can construct a fireline (Correct answer)
- A method to extinguish fire at the head
- A substitute for a wet line during mop-up
Correct answer: A delay tactic to slow fire spread until ground crews can construct a fireline
Aerial retardant slows fire spread and gives ground crews time to construct a fireline, but it must be reinforced to be effective.
Question 6: What is the primary hazard associated with fighting fire in a narrow canyon or drainage?
- Excessive moisture reducing fire intensity prematurely
- Chimney effect channeling fire rapidly upslope with little warning (Correct answer)
- Loss of radio communication due to terrain blocking signals
- Increased exposure to falling rocks dislodged by aircraft
Correct answer: Chimney effect channeling fire rapidly upslope with little warning
Narrow canyons act as chimneys, channeling heated air and fire gases upward very rapidly, creating extreme and sudden fire behavior.
Question 7: When a crew completes fireline construction and transitions to mop-up, the standard depth for mop-up from the fire's edge is typically:
- 5 feet
- 50–100 feet or as specified in the incident action plan (Correct answer)
- The entire burned area regardless of size
- Only along the constructed fireline itself
Correct answer: 50–100 feet or as specified in the incident action plan
Standard mop-up depth is typically 50–100 feet from the control line, or as specified in the IAP, to prevent escapes.
S-130 Fire Suppression 4
When a crew is caught in a rapidly changing fire situation and must deploy fire shelters, they should deploy in: