> Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)
>
> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 1]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** Trailhead

**[Leadership Elements:]{.underline}** Situational Awareness,
Preparedness

**[Date:]{.underline}** July 4th

You have arrived on this district as a Type 3 Incident Commander ordered
in from another unit, here is your morning report:

-   38 fires on the district

-   23 carry-over fires from previous days

-   15 new fires reported today

-   2 fires larger than 5 acres

-   3 fires smaller than 5 acres -- including the South Canyon Fire.

-   10 are unverified smoke sightings and minor fires monitored from a
    distance.

-   Of the carry-over fires, they are actively fighting two (the rest
    are in monitor status):

> 1\) 1600 acre fire is under control and in the demobilization phase
> with crews being reassigned elsewhere,
>
> 2\) 50 acre fire has 4 engines and 23 firefighters assigned; may be
> under control in 24 hours.

-   The South Canyon Fire was called in to the BLM District office at
    11:00. At 14:00 the local sheriff's office reported the fire at ½
    acre and very active. At 14:16 BLM dispatch requested a load of
    jumpers, and air tanker, and a lead plane for initial attack on the
    South Canyon Fire. At 15:08 dispatch cancelled the initial attack
    and diverted them to the Sagebrush fire. A local engine crew arrives
    at the South Canyon Fire which is reported to be on inaccessible
    terrain, right on the boundary of the fire exclusion zone.
    Thunderstorms seem to dampen the flames, and fire is put into
    monitor status. The engine crew departs the area.

There have been 5 new fires in the district today (July 4^th^) -- one
which threatens three ranch houses. The neighboring Montrose District is
the main effort of state resources in fighting the Wake fire 50 miles to
the southwest, (12 homes threatened). All tankers are being diverted to
the Wake fire.

At 14:50 a local resident reports increased fire activity on the South
Canyon Fire -- now about 3 acres. By 16:30 a USFS engine foreman and a
BLM engine foreman have radioed BLM Grand Junction dispatch requesting
air tanker support for the South Canyon Fire -- none available. By 18:30
the two engine foreman and a local handcrew supervisor have decided to
wait until morning to attack the fire, they left the fire scene and
drove to BLM office in West Glenwood to plan their attack. The South
Canyon Fire has grown to about 11 acres throughout the day. Dispatch log
reports the following at 21:09:

"Aerial Observer for Glenwood Springs flew the fire. Steep inaccessible
terrain, burning to NE of ridge, too steep for crew -- suggest bucket
drops, little or few escape routes -- currently spreading in all
directions."

**You have been assigned to take over as IC for the South Canyon Fire at
0600 tomorrow.**

> **What preparations do you make tonight?**
>
> **What is your plan of action for tomorrow?**
>
> Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)
>
> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 2]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** Overlook Ridge

**[Leadership Elements:]{.underline}** Leader's Intent, Command and
Control

**[Date:]{.underline}** July 5^th^

**[Time:]{.underline}** 2300

You are the Type 3 Incident Commander. You and your IA crew of 8
firefighters hiked up the East Drainage early in the morning. You
arrived on the main ridge north of the apparent ignition point. After
briefing your crew, they went to work as you directed.

An air tanker made a drop at 1500 on the freeway side of the fire. The
pilot reported the fire was still up on the ridge, not yet in the West
Drainage. By this time the IA crew assigned to your fire had cleared a
helispot (H-1) and had cut about 200 yards of downhill line. At 1800 a
load of smokejumpers arrived on your fire. You also made the decision to
have the resources currently on the fire hike out the West Drainage that
evening.

By 2100 you had 8 smokejumpers staffing the fire; while you and the
local IA resources were headed to the district office. Around 2300 the
Jumper-in-Charge calls to tell you fire has overrun the line and is now
about 50 acres. He thinks two Type 1 crews would help. You place the
order and receive confirmation that one crew will arrive in the morning.

> **What plan do you communicate to the Jumper-in-Charge?**
>
> Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)
>
> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 3]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** Overlook

**[Leadership Element:]{.underline}** Command Presence, Developing a
Plan of Action

**[Date:]{.underline}** July 6^th^

**[Time:]{.underline}** 1030 Hours

You are the Type 3 Incident Commander and have just completed a
helicopter reconnaissance of the fire. It looks to be about 100 acres.
The fire is spreading by backing and rollouts. People are scanning the
NOAA channel for weather updates.

Your fire is now the district main effort. You have a helicopter and
tanker support -- with the Hotshots expected at noon.

You are located at Helispot 2 and discussing strategy with the
Jumper-in-Charge, and the Helitack Foreman. The smokejumpers and local
IA crew are constructing line between H-1 and H-2. You can see smoke low
in the West Drainage. Eight more smokejumpers have just landed in the
drop zone north of H-2.

> **What plan do you propose ?**
>
> **What are your concerns?**
>
> **Where will you position yourself?**

Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)

> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 4]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** West Flank Line (the Stump)

**[Leadership Element:]{.underline}** Rules of Engagement, Legitimate
Dissent

**[Date:]{.underline}** July 6^th^

**[Time:]{.underline}** 1400

You are a hotshot crewmember constructing line on the west flank. Fire
behavior is minimal, creeping and backing. Line production is difficult
because of the large growth gamble oak. The ability to see ahead from
the line construction point of view is limited due to tall Gamble Oak
brush.

The Incident Commander, the Jumper-in-Charge, and your crew
Superintendent are located above you near one of the helispots on the
ridge.

You overhear on the radio that the line scout below you would like the
helicopter for bucket drops. The helicopter is currently tasked with
shuttling remainder of your hotshot crew to the fire.

> **Your Squad Leader just walked by saying a few words of
> encouragement. What concerns do you have and what do you say to your
> Squad Leader?**
>
> Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)
>
> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 5]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** Lunch Spot

**[Leadership Element:]{.underline}** Effective Communications,
Contingency Planning

**[Date:]{.underline}** July 6^th^

**[Time:]{.underline}** 1606

You are a smokejumper located at the Lunch Spot with other smokejumpers
and hotshots. The fireline has been extended to the Lunch Spot. You have
been assigned to patrol the west flank. You can see fire to the south
across the double draws making short uphill runs. You visit with the
Line Scout. Fire behavior is picking up all over the fire. The
helicopter is making bucket drops. Skies are clear.

At 15:45 you noticed a small (5 foot diameter) spot fire about 100 feet
downhill below the west flank fireline. You and another firefighter
descend to take care of the spot fire, but lose all radio communication.
As you come back up to the fireline 20 minutes later, you hear other
firefighters running back up the west flank fireline.

You overhear spotty radio traffic with the IC saying "Get out now!"

You sense the following conditions: Gray-black smoke column in southern
portion of West Drainage. Fire running up the east facing slope across
the drainage from you. A strong wind blowing up the drainage. You can
see fire immediately down slope of your position about 200 feet distant.
There is a yellow-orange glow in the smoky sky all around you.

> **What is your plan of action?**
>
> Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)
>
> For the
>
> South Canyon Staff Ride
>
> [Tactical Decision Game \# 6]{.underline}

**[Location:]{.underline}** Zero Point or Helispot 1

**[Leadership Element]{.underline}**: Integration

In your groups perform an integration of the South Canyon Staff Ride.

Consider elements of leadership, supervision, management, tactical SOPs,
situational awareness and communication.

> **Describe one lesson learned from this event that you will share with
> those you work with.**