S-130 Lookouts Communications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a lookout loses radio contact with the crew, what is the FIRST action they should take?
- Abandon the lookout post and find the crew
- Attempt to re-establish contact using an alternate frequency or relay (Correct answer)
- Wait silently for 30 minutes before acting
- Contact the air tanker base directly
Correct answer: Attempt to re-establish contact using an alternate frequency or relay
The lookout should immediately attempt to re-establish communication via alternate frequency or relay before taking other actions.
Question 2: Which LCES element is the lookout most directly responsible for supporting?
- Escape routes
- Safety zones
- Communications
- Both lookouts and communications (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both lookouts and communications
The lookout is responsible for the 'L' (Lookouts) element and directly supports 'C' (Communications) by relaying critical fire behavior observations.
Question 3: What should a lookout communicate FIRST when spotting a significant fire behavior change?
- The direction of wind shift
- A warning to evacuate immediately if necessary (Correct answer)
- Their own location on the map
- The time of observation
Correct answer: A warning to evacuate immediately if necessary
Life safety takes priority — if the change poses immediate danger, the lookout must warn the crew to evacuate before providing details.
Question 4: A lookout notices the smoke column is beginning to lean toward the crew's position. This indicates:
- Fire intensity is decreasing
- Wind is shifting and may push fire toward the crew (Correct answer)
- Humidity is increasing and fire is calming
- Air attack is working effectively
Correct answer: Wind is shifting and may push fire toward the crew
A leaning smoke column reveals wind direction — if it leans toward the crew, the wind may be driving fire in their direction.
Question 5: Under the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, when must a lookout be posted?
- Only when air operations are active
- Whenever firefighters are working in areas where fire could cut off escape routes (Correct answer)
- Only during Red Flag Warning days
- When the crew size exceeds 20 personnel
Correct answer: Whenever firefighters are working in areas where fire could cut off escape routes
Order #4 states lookouts must be posted whenever there is potential for fire to cut off escape routes or trap crew members.
Question 6: Which of the following is a valid reason to relocate a lookout position?
- The lookout is fatigued and wants a more comfortable location
- Changing fire behavior has reduced visibility from the current position (Correct answer)
- The supervisor requests the lookout help with mop-up
- Radio traffic has become too congested
Correct answer: Changing fire behavior has reduced visibility from the current position
If fire growth or smoke reduces the lookout's ability to observe the fire and crew, relocation to a better vantage point is warranted.
Question 7: When communicating fire location to the crew, what reference system is most commonly used in wildland fire operations?
- GPS decimal degree coordinates only
- Clock positions relative to a known landmark or the sun (Correct answer)
- Street addresses from the nearest town
- Latitude and longitude in degrees-minutes-seconds
Correct answer: Clock positions relative to a known landmark or the sun
Clock positions (e.g., 'fire at 2 o'clock from the lookout') relative to known landmarks are the standard, rapid reference method in wildland fire.
S-130 Lookouts Communications 2
When a lookout loses radio contact with the crew, what is the FIRST action they should take?