**[Initial Facilitator Information---NOT TO BE SHARED WITH
STUDENTS]{.underline}**

**Title: Decision Making / No-Wheel-Drive Prescribed Fire**

**Author:** Travis Dotson FUTA

**Target Audience:**

Burn Boss II

**Training Objective:**

Given the following scenario, players will make decisions regarding
public safety and prescription parameters during active ignition of a
prescribed fire. Players should verbally communicate their decisions to
the appropriate individuals.

**Resources Referenced:**

-   **Burn Boss Type II (Player Role)**

-   Holding

-   Refuge Manager

-   Firing Boss

-   Local Resident

-   Zone FMO

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**[SCENARIO INFORMATION TO BE SHARED WITH STUDENTS]{.underline}**

**Facilitator Briefing To Student(s):**

Today is March 25^th^. You are the Burn Boss on the No Wheel Drive
prescribed fire at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. The refuge lies
in the Rio Grande Valley in the south central portion of the state. This
unit was burned two years ago and you are burning again at the request
of the refuge biologist.

> The unit is surrounded on all sides by roads, except for the north
> portion where a black line was established two days ago. New Mexico
> (NM) State highway 1 is the western boundary. Up to 30 percent of the
> total area may be open water (depending on time of year). A large pond
> makes up the southern portion of the unit. The area to the north of
> this water has the highest density of cattails. Generally a fuel model
> 3. The northern portion of the unit is a Rio Grande riparian mix.
> Species inside the unit include; alkali sacaton, cottonwood, screwbean
> mesquite, saltbush, and NM olive.

The major resource concerns for this project are:

-   Protect the large cottonwood trees in the unit

-   Pre-burn preparation included clearing brush/grass away from the
    trunks of live cottonwood trees in the unit.

-   Protect a stand of Gooding's willow just north of the pond adjacent
    to highway 1. A mowed line with a temporary sprinkler system has
    been established around the Goodings willow area.

-   There are power lines along the highway that are also a concern.

-   It is a priority to keep smoke off of highway 1. The refuge
    Headquarters and visitor center sits adjacent to the block just west
    of the display pond.

**The prescription for the burn is:**

**[Acceptable Range Low High Desired Outside @ critical
holding]{.underline}**

Temperature 40F 85F 65F 85F

Relative Humidity 70% 20% 35% 20%

Wind Speed (Mid Flame) 0 15 6 15

Slope 0 0 0 0

Wind Direction (note) (any, but east) east

1 hr. fuel moisture 15 3 4 3

10 hr. fuel moisture 12 5 6 5

100 hr. fuel moisture 14 7 10 7

Live Fuel Moisture 160 60 80 60

**Weather:**

-   Temperature: 68 degrees

-   RH: 22%

-   Wind: NNW 0-5

-   Skies: Mostly Clear

The IAP has been provided to all participants, an operational briefing
has been conducted and test fire successful. Everything is going as
planned. Ignition began just after 1000, it is now 1030.

The ignition crew started at the pond and has proceeded north ¼ mile
along the road on both flanks. You observe momentary wind shifts coming
out of the north and northeast with gusts up to 8 mph. Your Firing Boss
radios you to inform you of these momentary wind shifts:

Take 5 minutes to decide your course of action and prepare any
communication contacts you think are necessary.

**\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--**

**[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FACILITATOR ONLY]{.underline}**

**Facilitator "Murphy's Law" Suggestions:**

The "Murphy's Law" suggestions listed below can be added as "What ifs"
at any time during the scenario to raise the stress level of the leader.
You can also use one of your own:

The use of the following will depend on the decisions made by the Burn
Boss:

-   Winds are inconsistent with occasional eastern component.

-   Winds set up from the East and smoke is thick over Highway 1

-   Refuge manager request the burn be shut down

-   Law enforcement unavailable / available for traffic control

-   Refuge Biologist pushing to complete burn

-   Traffic accident due to smoke

-   Interior of unit not drivable (staubs will puncture tires)

**Facilitator's Notes:**

This TDGS should focus on making a decision regarding smoke on the road
and the associated safety concerns. If the decision is made to shut the
burn down based on prescription parameters, a decision on the safest way
to do so should be made (is finishing the burn the best way?). Part of
the dilemma the burn boss may face is the exposure involved in putting
the fire out vs. "ringing" the whole thing to get it done (temporarily
creating more smoke). The AAR may involve discussion regarding
pre-planning "shut-down" procedures or starting a burn knowing that the
most efficient way to "shut down" is completing the burn.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**After Action Review:**

Conduct an AAR with focus on the training objective. Use the AAR format
found in the Incident Response Pocket Guide to facilitate the AAR. There
are four basic questions in the AAR.

1.  What was planned?

2.  What actually happened?

3.  Why did it happen?

4.  What can we do next time?

TDGS shouldn't have a single solution, keep the focus of the AAR on what
was done and why.

\*Photos are taken from a high point directly west of the visitor's
center.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="8.868055555555555in"}

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="6.490972222222222in"
height="3.988888888888889in"}

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="6.55625in" height="3.8715277777777777in"}

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="6.520833333333333in"
height="3.673611111111111in"}

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="6.490972222222222in"
height="3.486111111111111in"}

#### NO WHEEL DRIVE RX

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="6.520833333333333in"
height="4.8909722222222225in"}

**Station**: Bosque del Apache NWR **Project Account Number:**
9264-B200-22520-2F

**Sub Station:** Units 19 / Galen's Pond **Name of Area:** Wetland
Management Units

**Acres to Be Burned:** 90 / 30 **County:** Socorro

###### GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BURN UNIT {#general-description-of-burn-unit .unnumbered}

Topography:

The burn area is located within the Rio Grande flood plain. The area is
flat and portioned by levees, roads and ditches. These features define
the units and provide limits to fire spread.

Aspect:

None, river runs north south land is flat within the burn area.

Slopes:

No slope within the burn units, area is flood plain flat.

**Physical Features:**

Unit 19 and Galen's Pond are two of 4 blocks that make up the No Wheel
Drive RX. The units follow an ancestral oxbow of the Rio Grande. The
units are moist soil all year long and portions are often in standing
water. Fire is the primary management tool in theses units. Some site
preparation has taken place to prepare Unit 19 and Galen's Pond for
fire. Areas around mature cottonwood groves have been cleared. Grass
fuels have been cleared around the base of individual trees. An area of
Gooding Willow in the Southwest corner of unit 19 has been excluded.
This area is potential habitat for the endangered SW Willow Fly Catcher.
A grove of young Cottonwood trees in the southeast corner of Galen's
Pond has been excluded.

**Vegetation Cover Types (Species, height, density, etc.):**

The target fuel in all units is cattail and bulrush. This species
dominates the marsh areas within the units. Species that are commonly
found in the riparian cottonwood woodland portion of the units include:
cottonwood trees, and willow. Various grasses such as alkali and giant
sacaton, tobosa, dropseeds, and saltgrass are common in these areas,
often times mixed or in transition with shrub species like four-wing
salt brush, New Mexico Olive wolfberry, false indigo bush, and
seepwillow.

## 

## **Primary Resource Objectives**:

-   To provide feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl and sandhill
    cranes

-   To expose shallow open water and mud flat areas as habitat for
    puddle ducks, geese, shorebirds, marsh birds and other wading birds.

-   Provide habitat for bitterns and rails.

-   To contribute to and enhance a natural diversity of habitat types on
    the refuge.

> **Objectives of the Fire**

-   Ensure firefighter safety throughout all aspects of the operation.

-   Remove temporarily 90 percent of the cattail, Phragmites, and
    bulrush stands within the burn unit boundary to facilitate use in
    the area by migrating waterfowl, cranes, and shorebirds.

-   Rejuvenate 80 percent of the grasses and forbs by removing decadent
    vegetation and facilitate the recycling of nutrients.

-   To set back the vegetation successional stage in the areas dominated
    by cattails in order to encourage plants more beneficial to the
    ecosystem.

-   Protect 100 percent of the areas designated by the refuge staff as
    values at risk

-   Reduce fuel loadings in the burn units by 75 percent.

-   Complete the burning operation with minimal degradation of the
    airshed.

**Acceptable Range of Results:**

-   Remove temporarily 70 to 85 percent of the Cattail, phragmites, and
    bulrush stands within the burn unit boundary to remove litter and
    open up the marsh area.

-   Rejuvenate 60 to 75 percent of the grasses and forbs by removing
    decadent vegetation and facilitate the recycling of nutrients in the
    burn units.

-   Protect 90 percent of the areas designated as values at risk (leave
    trees) in the burn area.

-   Reduce fuel loadings in the burn units by 55 to 70 percent.

**[Unit 19]{.underline}**

> **Size:** 90 acres
>
> **Description:** Unit is ringed on all sides by roads. NM State
> highway 1 makes the western boundary. 30 percent of the total area is
> open water. A large pond makes up the southern portion of the unit.
> The area to the north of this water has the highest density of
> cattail. Generally a fuel model 3. The northern portion of the unit is
> a Rio Grande riparian mix. Species in unit include; alkali sacaton,
> cottonwood, screwbean mesquite, saltbush, NM olive, and more.
>
> **Resource Concerns:** Protect the large cottonwood trees in the unit.
> Power lines along the highway. Unit could be used as an educational
> showcase due to its close proximity to the refuge headquarters. Keep
> fire out of the northern 1/3 of the unit. Keep smoke off highway 1. Do
> a cut stump herbicide treatment on the Russian olive trees before
> burning.
>
> **Fire Operation Concerns:** The refuge Headquarters is adjacent to
> the block across the road to the northeast. Traffic control will be
> necessary along the highway. Keep fire out of the northern 1/3 of the
> unit. Wind with a westerly component is preferred.

**[Galen's Pond]{.underline}**

> **Size:** 30 acres
>
> **Description:** Unit is ringed on all sides by roads. A drained pond
> makes up the southwestern portion of the unit. The area to the north
> of the dry pond has the highest density of cattail. Generally a fuel
> model 3. Species in unit include; alkali sacaton, Phragmites,
> cottonwood, screwbean mesquite, saltbush, NM olive, and more.
>
> **Resource Concerns:** Protect the large cottonwood trees in the unit.
> Keep fire out of the southeastern 1/4 of the unit.
>
> **Fire Operation Concerns:** The main tour loop road serves as the
> west and east boundaries of the unit and will need to be closed.

**[INCIDENT COMMUNICATIONS PLAN]{.underline}**

Each single resource will be assigned a handheld radio. Each engine will
have a minimum of 1 mobile radio and 1 handheld radio. All personnel
assigned to an ignition team should have a handheld radio or must remain
in verbal and visual contact with ignition crew leaders. Dispatch will
be handled locally. Communication between zone and the burn boss will be
via cell phone. The BLM Socorro repeater will be used as command only
for emergencies.

+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| **[RADIO  |            |              |                             |
| CO        |            |              |                             |
| MMUNICATI |            |              |                             |
| ONS]{.und |            |              |                             |
| erline}** |            |              |                             |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| **[CHAN   | **[FUN     | **[          | **[REMARKS]{.underline}**   |
| NEL]{.und | CTION]{.un | FREQUENCY]{. |                             |
| erline}** | derline}** | underline}** |                             |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| 1         | OPERATION  | 164.625      | on-site radio communication |
|           |            |              | FWS Direct                  |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| 2         | COMMAND/   | RX 169.650   | dispatch \<==\> burn boss   |
|           | DISPATCH   |              |                             |
|           |            | TX 167.900   | BLM Socorro Repeater        |
|           |            |              |                             |
|           |            | Tone 100     |                             |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| 3         | CREW NET   | 168.050      | or other crew net Tac 1     |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
|           |            |              |                             |
+-----------+------------+--------------+-----------------------------+

Operations will be used as the primary communication channel on the fire
(ch.1). If air operations are involved consider a specific air to ground
frequency.

**[SAFETY PLAN]{.underline}**

**[FIREFIGHTER SAFETY:]{.underline}**

**Safety Zones and Escape Routes:** Safety zones have been designated as
the perimeter roads that enclose the units. Mash areas levees, roads,
black zones, and open water will also serve as safety zones and escape
routes.

**Safety Hazards:** working along the highway, heat, dehydration,
snakes, insects, footing, shift in wind direction, vehicle travel, poor
visibility, communication problems, and maintaining control of resources
are all potential safety problems.

**Mitigation of Safety Hazards:** A pre-burn safety meeting will be held
to identify the above listed hazards to the burn personnel. LCES will be
in place at all times and all personnel will have a radio or be in close
contact with someone who does. A pre-ignition safety briefing will be
performed for all personnel involved with helicopter operations

**Job Hazard Analysis:** A job hazard analysis identifying site and
project specific hazards and mitigation measures is attached.

**[PUBLIC SAFETY:]{.underline}**

All roads leading into the area will be signed to keep public from
entering during the burn. Traffic control will be set up along the NM
state highway 1 as needed.

> **[MEDICAL PLAN]{.underline}**

Notify the Prescribed Fire Burn Boss of any accident or injury. The
Prescribed Fire [Burn Boss will initiate on-site response as needed and
coordinate additional needs through Bosque del Apache and the Gila/Las
Cruces Zone]{.underline}. The first option is to transport to Socorro
General Hospital. If using an ambulance send someone to meet the
ambulance at the nearest paved road to lead them in. If using an air
ambulance communicate latitude and longitude of helispot and on-site
radio frequency.

**On-site EMT's, First Responders:** None identified (will be identified
at briefing).

**First Aid Kits and Burn Kit Locations:** First Aid Kits can be found
in each vehicle. Burn Kits can be found in the FWS engines

+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
| **[TRANSPOR           |          |                 |                |
| TATION]{.underline}** |          |                 |                |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
| *                     | **[PHON  | **[ADDRESS      | **[PARAMEDICS] |
| *[NAME]{.underline}** | E]{.unde | ]{.underline}** | {.underline}** |
|                       | rline}** |                 |                |
|                       |          |                 | **YES/NO**     |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
| **SOCORRO FD**        | **911**  | **SOCORRO**     | **YES**        |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
| **SAN ANTONIO FD**    | **911**  | **SAN ANTONIO** | **YES**        |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
| **LIFE GUARD 1 AIR    | **       | **ALBUQUERQUE** | **YES**        |
| AMBULANCE**           | 1-800-63 |                 |                |
|                       | 3-5438** |                 |                |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+
|                       |          |                 |                |
+-----------------------+----------+-----------------+----------------+

+------------+---------+---------+------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[HOSP    |         |         |      |         |         |         |
| ITALS]{.un |         |         |      |         |         |         |
| derline}** |         |         |      |         |         |         |
+------------+---------+---------+------+---------+---------+---------+
| **         | **[A    | **      | **   | **      | **      | **[BURN |
| [NAME]{.un | DDRESS] | [GROUND | [AIR | [PHONE] | [HELIPA | CENTER] |
| derline}** | {.under | TIME]   | TIM  | {.under | D]{.und | {.under |
|            | line}** | {.under | E]{. | line}** | erline} | line}** |
|            |         | line}** | unde |         | Y       |         |
|            |         |         | rlin |         | ES/NO** | **Y     |
|            |         |         | e}** |         |         | ES/NO** |
+------------+---------+---------+------+---------+---------+---------+
| **SOCORRO  | **W.    | **1.5   | **30 | **835   | **YES** | **NO**  |
| GENERAL    | HIGHWAY | Hr**    | mi   | -1140** |         |         |
| HOSPITAL** | 60,**   |         | n.** |         |         |         |
+------------+---------+---------+------+---------+---------+---------+
| **         | *       | **1.5   | **30 | **272   | **YES** | **YES** |
| UNIVERSITY | *ALB.** | hr**    | mi   | -2111** |         |         |
| HOSPITAL** |         |         | n.** |         |         |         |
+------------+---------+---------+------+---------+---------+---------+

**[MOP UP AND PATROL PLAN]{.underline}**

Mop up in the No Wheel Drive Bosque Wetlands fuel types is minimal due
to the quick nature with which the fuels burnout. There are few 100 and
1000 hour fuels within the units. Intensive mop up is generally only
performed to control the perimeter of the prescribed burn or to reduce
smoke emissions. Because of the nature of the burn very little mop up is
anticipated. If mop up is deemed necessary it will be accomplished by
the fully staffed fire engines as directed by the burn boss and/or
holding boss. The engine crew leaders will patrol the burn perimeter and
mop up as necessary to ensure containment and/or lessen smoke
production. The Burn Boss will determine when the fire is out and safe
to leave the area. This will be based on predicted and extended fire
weather forecasts.

If significant wind events are predicted which may threaten the
perimeter of the burn, mop up will be done to control those perimeters.
If the ventilation/mixing height is poor or if residual smoke is
anticipated to be a problem in valleys, drainages, or near roads or
residences, mop up will be done to limit smoke production.

Patrols of the burn will continue daily until no smoke is visible during
the 1200-1600 time period.

**[WEATHER AND FUEL PARAMETERS]{.underline}**

**[Acceptable Range Low High Desired Outside @ critical
holding]{.underline}**

**Temperature** 40F 85F 65F 85F

**Relative Humidity** 70% 20% 35% 20%

**Wind Speed** **(Mid Flame)** 0 15 6 15

**Slope** 0 0 0 0

**Wind Direction (note)** (any, but east) east

**1 hr. fuel moisture** 15 3 4 3

**10 hr. fuel moisture** 12 5 6 5

**100 hr. fuel moisture** 14 7 10 7

**Live Fuel Moisture** 160 60 80 60

**[Note:]{.underline}** Wind direction and wind speed are important
factors for this project. A westerly component to the wind is preferred
to move smoke emissions away from NM highway 1 and the Bosque visitor
center. There are 2 types of adjacent fuel beds on this burn. One is
other wetland units. This is modeled under the low, high desired
categories. The other is a more open less fuel loaded restored Bosque.
This is modeled under fuel model 9 outside at critical holding which are
all high end of the prescription variables. Outputs at the lower
variables are listed with BEHAVE.

**[Acceptable behavior range\* see BEHAVE runs for
variables.]{.underline}**

**[Calculated using BEHAVE runs Low High Desired Outside @ critical
holding]{.underline}**

**Rate of Spread** 2.9 654 170 72.1

**Flame Length** 2.2 32.3 16 8.5

**Spotting Distance** 0 .2 .1 N-A . .

**Probability of Ignition** 13 82 70 82

### Fire Line Intensity 331 10799 2555 593

**Heat per Unit Area** 625 900 820 488

Resources:

**[ONSITE]{.underline}**

Engine 2241 Type 4

Engine 2061 Type 6

Engine 632 Type 6

Water Tender

Two 6 wheelers

**[CONTINGENCY]{.underline}**

Bosque Dozer 15 minute ETA

San Antonio VFD Type 6 30 minute ETA