S-130 Wildland Tools & Equipment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hand tool is most appropriate for cutting through heavy brush and small saplings while constructing a fireline?
- McLeod
- Pulaski
- Brush hook (Correct answer)
- Shovel
Correct answer: Brush hook
A brush hook has a heavy curved blade designed specifically for cutting through heavy brush and small woody vegetation along the fireline.
Question 2: What is the proper technique for using a shovel to throw dirt on a flame during direct suppression?
- Throw dirt over the top of the flames in a high arc
- Scoop and throw dirt at the base of the flames with a flat trajectory (Correct answer)
- Dig a trench in front of the flame front and allow fire to burn into it
- Spray dirt in a fan pattern above and around the flames
Correct answer: Scoop and throw dirt at the base of the flames with a flat trajectory
Dirt should be thrown at the base of flames with a low, flat trajectory to smother the burning fuel and cut off the fire's oxygen supply.
Question 3: What is the recommended fuel mixture ratio for a two-stroke chain saw engine commonly used in wildland operations?
- 10:1 gasoline to oil
- 50:1 gasoline to oil (Correct answer)
- 100:1 gasoline to oil
- Pure gasoline with no oil additive
Correct answer: 50:1 gasoline to oil
Most two-stroke wildland chain saws require a 50:1 gasoline-to-oil ratio, though the operator must always follow the manufacturer's specifications.
Question 4: During fireline construction, what is the purpose of 'cold trailing' a fireline edge?
- Dragging a hose along the fireline to pre-wet fuels ahead of the fire
- Feeling the soil and duff with bare hands or tools to detect residual heat (Correct answer)
- Monitoring wind direction with a trailing smoke ribbon
- Marking the completed fireline with colored flagging tape
Correct answer: Feeling the soil and duff with bare hands or tools to detect residual heat
Cold trailing involves feeling the soil and duff along the fireline edge by hand or tool to detect any residual heat that could cause a rekindle.
Question 5: What is the correct order of tool assignment when a crew lines out to construct hand line?
- Scrapers first, choppers second, scratch line third
- Scratch line cutter first, choppers second, scrapers last (Correct answer)
- Scrapers first, diggers second, water crew last
- Chain saw first, scratch line second, scrapers last
Correct answer: Scratch line cutter first, choppers second, scrapers last
The standard order is a scratch line cutter (e.g., Pulaski or brush hook) first, followed by choppers to remove large fuel, then scrapers to clear to mineral soil.
Question 6: What is a 'gated wye' used for in wildland hose lay operations?
- Connecting a hard suction hose to a natural water source
- Splitting one hose line into two independently controlled lines (Correct answer)
- Reducing hose diameter to increase water pressure at the nozzle
- Joining two separate hose lays into a single supply line
Correct answer: Splitting one hose line into two independently controlled lines
A gated wye splits one supply line into two hose lines, each with its own gate valve to allow independent control of water flow.
Question 7: What inspection should be performed on a bladder bag before filling it with water for fire suppression?
- Check the seams and pump mechanism for leaks or damage (Correct answer)
- Verify the bladder is filled with foam concentrate
- Ensure the nozzle is set to the fog pattern
- Confirm the bag weighs at least 10 pounds when empty
Correct answer: Check the seams and pump mechanism for leaks or damage
Before use, a bladder bag should be inspected for leaks at the seams and the pump mechanism should be tested to ensure it operates properly.
S-130 Wildland Tools & Equipment 4
Which hand tool is most appropriate for cutting through heavy brush and small saplings while constructing a fireline?