BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

Office of Fire & Aviation

Operations Alert 

No. 12-01 Date: June 22, 2012 

Subject: Firefighter Safety 

Area of Concern: Fire & Aviation Operations 

In the past few months, BLM units have experienced rapid drying of fuels, record indices, and fire activity that is 

abnormal for this time of year. Extreme fire behavior and resistance to control is already occurring earlier than 

normal in many areas. Weather and fuel condition forecasts seem to indicate that these conditions will worsen and 

persist for the next several months. 

Chain saw and snag incidents, engine rollovers, an aircraft accident, emergency landing, and heat-related illnesses 

have occurred; several have resulted in fatalities. These accidents and incidents seem to be occurring earlier and 

more frequently than normal. 

Firefighters should remember that fire season is just beginning for most parts of the country; the 2012 fire season 

has the potential to be long, arduous, and difficult. 

Recommendations 

Pace yourself. Remember there will be many fire assignments to come, and managing fatigue and firefighter 

health now and as the season progresses will result in increased safety and efficiency. 

Stick to the basics. Remember adequate briefings, solid tactical and operational plans, and simple tactics such 

as “anchor flank and pinch” and “one foot in the black” are a recipe for success. Indirect attack may be 

appropriate; remember to allow time and space to accomplish it safely. When conditions change, a “tactical 

pause” and reevaluation of the plan are wise. LCES must ALWAYS be maintained.

Get there and back in one piece. Deliberate, defensive, and safe driving will get you to the incident and home 

every time.

Recognize distractions and focus on the mission at hand. Administrative tasks, home unit issues, and nonoperational duties are important; remember these are secondary to our mission of fighting fire aggressively and 

safely. Maintain sensitivity to operations. You owe it to yourself, your family, and fellow firefighters to put 

these distractions aside and concentrate on your assignment.

Utilize aviation resources effectively and efficiently. Current conditions in many areas of the country require 

an aggressive organized air and ground response to achieve success in initial attack. Effective utilization of 

aviation assets means launching IA aircraft as part of the initial dispatch rather than waiting for ground 

resources to arrive on scene and request aviation support. Coordinate and communicate this expectation to 

your IA IC's and cooperators. A limited number of aviation assets are available for fire suppression activities; 

efficiency and sharing should be a priority.

When utilizing aviation assets, ask these questions: 

1. Is this flight necessary?

2. Does the risk vs. benefit warrant utilizing aviation assets? 

3. Is there a more effective way to deliver fire suppressants?

4. If the weather changes, do I have an alternate plan to replace reliance on aviation assets?

5. Are qualified personnel in place to direct and supervise aviation operations?

For additional information contact: 

Michelle Ryerson, BLM Fire Safety Program Manager (208) 387-5175 or

Kirk Rothwell, BLM Aviation Safety & Training Advisor (208) 387-5879