S-234 Hand Out Childers 1/21/98

**Company Level Firing Operations**

Whenever **fire** is used as a tool to fight wildland fires, **Safety**
must come **first**.

--- \"You are involved in a firing operation\" should probably be the
19th Watch Out.

--- Remember the other 18, live by your Ten Standards, and ensure
L.C.E.S.

There are three main uses of **firing operations**: Backfire, Burnout,
and Prescribed Fire.

**Burnout:** A tool used by a crew or company officer to \"strengthen
and straighten control lines by eliminating the fuel between the control
line and the fire\'s edge by burning.\"

Burnout is based on the **black line policy**: \"A fireline is not
complete until the fuel between the fire edge and control line is
removed.\"

--- There are three main ways to achieve a black line:

1\. Direct line construction (one foot in and one foot out of the
green),

2\. Cut the fuel and remove it, or

3\. Burnout.

--- Burning out reduces the probability and severity of runs at the
fireline from the main fire.

--- Burning out can also be used to protect structures in imminent
danger from fire.

**When** do we burnout?

--- Burnout as the line is progressing. Do not delay burnout, do it
while conditions are right. And do not leave it for other crews or the
next shift.

--- Burn from anchor points and between areas tied to black.

--- Burnout around structures before the main fire arrives, if possible

--- Each section of burnout is different and must be treated as such.

**Why** burnout?

--- To protect structures or other \"values-at-risk.\"

--- To cut across fingers, --- or around numerous spots.

--- To avoid heavy brush, --- or steep, rocky terrain.

--- To overcome resource shortages, --- or when fire intensity forces a
parallel attack

--- To locate line in lighter fuels, thus allowing construction of
narrower and quicker line, or to use natural barriers.

--- Or, to minimize holding forces, mop-up, and/or coldtrail.

What if it **won\'t burn**? (i.e., How do we burn under adverse burning
conditions?)

--- Build special heat concentrations (e.g., a fuel ladder, a \"wick\",
or use extra fuel)

--- Have dozers crush some brush on the edge of the fireline.

When **shouldn\'t** we **burn**?

--- Never start fire when none is present; if the fire is already out,
do not reignite it (coldtrailing or mop-up might be more effective)

**Backfire:** A method of indirect attack used against rapidly spreading
fires. The area between the control line and the fires edge is
intentionally fired to:

1.) Eliminate fuel in advance of the fire, widening the control line,

2.) Change the direction of the fire,

3.) Slow the fire\'s progress.

Backfiring is a **Command Decision**, made by the **Operations Chief**,
approved by the **Incident Commander**, and delegated to the **Division
Supervisor** or a **Firing Boss**.

--- The Firing Boss directs and coordinates all firing activities.
Duties include:

> --- Being aware of all assignments and actions of adjacent control
> forces.
>
> --- Determining types of firing techniques and readiness of personnel
> and equipment.
>
> --- Identifying critical points.
>
> --- Initiating firing and carrying it through to completion
> (responsible for entire firing show)
>
> --- Controlling order and rate of firing team(s) and holding forces.

**When** do we backfire?

--- Backfire when conditions are right!

--- Ideally, when weather, fuel, and control forces are ready, but
don\'t wait for control forces if you have the weather.

--- 35 percent R.H. is usually too high (ideal is 20 -35 percent).

--- Ideal time for ignition is when you feel the pull of the main fire
(suction from main or backfire is almost magnetic---can pull up to a
mile).

--- Ensure that firing will not jeopardize safety of personnel or
structures.

**Where** are the best places to burn from? (In order of preference)

1\. Ridge tops (or just to the lee side of a ridge).

2\. Canyon bottoms.

3\. Midslope roads or other barriers.

Backfire **preparation** should include:

--- Clearing heavy cover and snags from burn side.

--- Wetting (pretreating) \"green\" side.

--- Watch critical points in the line (saddles, dog-legs, etc.).

--- Always start at an anchor point (or make one).

**How** do we backfire successfully?

--- Start at the point of highest elevation and work downhill (unless
you have strong down canyon winds or want a crown fire).

--- Only fire as fast as you can hold line; but if conditions are right,
do not stop (even with a slopover, keep burning as long as personnel are
safe).

--- Wait for suck power.

--- Burn into the wind (not with the wind at your back).

--- Wind blowing across line often requires special techniques.

**How deep** should the backfire be?

--- Completely dependent on the main fire\'s behavior, but

--- 200 ft is a good goal in heavy fuels.

--- Critical points (saddles, hooks, etc.) may need to be wider.

--- 200 ft is often the minimum for a **Safety Zone:**

![](media/image1.wmf){width="5.875in" height="2.111111111111111in"}

What if there are **structures** in the path of your backfire?

--- Try to locate line around structures, or

--- Fire around homes first, and

--- Never fire near homes until you are sure they have been evacuated.

When can a **Division Supervisor initiate** a Backfire?

--- Only when: (all three criteria must be met)

1\. The action will not endanger personnel or the actions of other
divisions

2\. Fire behavior and weather dictate an immediate need

3\. You cannot reach Branch, Ops., or the I.C.

What types of **equipment** do we need for firing operations?

--- Fusees are the most commonly used tool.

--- Drip torches are the most versatile.

--- Matches or lighters (flick your \"Bic\") will work.

--- But, we can use anything that will carry fire! Drag pine cones,
yuccas, brush, etc.

--- Larger firing operations may require more aggressive equipment:
Diesel or Pneumatic Torches, Terra-torch (flame thrower), Very Pistol
(flare gun), Flare-pen, \"Burnol\" (napalm), Heli-torch, Premo Mark III
Plastic Sphere Dispenser (Ping Pong Ball Machine), etc\...

There are three main types of **fire spread** with steady winds:

--- Head fire (wind at your back): most rapid spread, which is often
beneficial, but watch for wind shifts.

--- Backing fire (against the wind): watch for spots, wind should be
steady---shifts can cause a blow-up.

--- Flanking fire (wind paralleling the line): burn into (facing) the
wind.

**Ignition Techniques:**

--- Line or edge firing

--- Strip firing (3-2-1)

--- Adverse winds or slopes:

> --- Strip firing (reverse order)
>
> --- Pies or perpendicular strips