Basic Fire Control Training Ignition Techniques (adapted from FL DOF

Objectives Characterize basic fire types Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will do this later in your Burn Plan)

Two situations requiring knowledge of ignition techniques Prescribed Fire: “Fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest fuels on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives” Suppression burning is the use of prescribed fire in a wildland fire situation

2 types of suppression burning Counter Fire Burn-out

Counter Fire Fire applied to stop the forward spread of uncontrolled fire GENERALLY NOT USED IN I.A. NEED AT LEAST 2 CREW MEMBERS ONLY IN CERTAIN FUEL TYPES ( not blowy leaf!) ONLY BY EXPERIENCED firefighters HIGH RISK TIME CRITICAL

Burn-out: when? Often times on wildfires, control lines are established some distance from fire edge Pockets Inaccessible areas Pre-existing control lines Areas of lesser fuel concentrations

What are the FACTORS TO DETERMINE FIRING TECHNIQUES? OBJECTIVES WIND SPEED & DIRECTION SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY? CREW EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Basic Fire Types- Related to Wind Characterize basic fire types Backing Head Flanking Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will do this later in your Burn Plan)

1. Backing Fire Used to establish baseline Generally safest Longer residence times Slowest R.O.S.’s (1-3 ch/hr) ROS determined by Fuel Moisture Excellent for heavy fuel loads Used to burn around values Generally not the primary technique Why not???

1. Backing Fire

1. Backing Fire BURNS INTO THE WIND

1. Backing Fire

1. Backing Fire When backfire is the primary technique, consider: Windspeeds & fuel moistures Establishing additional baselines Orienting burn blocks WIND

2. Strip-Head Fire STAY BEHIND DOWNWIND IGNITOR!

2. Strip-Head Fire Most frequently used technique Fastest method Can manipulate intensity with strip width and time interval Consider: Width of strips Changing weather conditions Changing fuel conditions Using spots where necessary Spotting potential Convection activity “Closing the door” too soon

2. Strip-Head Fire

Flank Fire REMAIN IN SIGHT MAINTAIN PACE

3. Flank Fire Can be an excellent tool, burn large areas with less effort Uniform fire intensities Minimal spotting Good in diverse fuel types Consider: Winds (Dir. & Speed.)- must be steady! Number & experience of igniters- must be experienced! Communications & visibility (in unit) Conducive burn block orientation Using spot ignitions within the flanks Varying the flank ignition speed to control intensity

3. Flank Fire WIND FIRE BURNS 90° TO WIND FLANK FIRE WALK INTO WIND

3. Flank Fire

4. Point Source (Spot) Fire

4. Point Source (Spot) Fire Excellent for large areas (aerial ignition) Best technique for controlling intensities in various weather conditions Can be used in conjunction with strip head & flank technique Effective in heavy fuels Burn manager can control where convection occurs Quickest way to complete ignition

Point Source (Spot) Fire When spot firing, burn managers should consider: Width between spots Width between strips How to change fire intensity Changes in weather & fuels Location of spots Spotting potential Difficulty in maintaining grid Grid orientation to wind Fast burn, high convection

Point Source (Spot) Fire, initiation

Point Source (Spot) Fire- growth

5. Ring Fire

5. Ring Fire Traditionally used for site-prep Minimizes short range spotting Quick & easy Early “point-of-no-return” Traps wildlife High convection When using ring ignition, consider: Access Objectives (overstory, smoke plume, speed) Begin with center point ignition

5. Ring Fire

How it’s really done: USE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES OVER A RANGE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC BURN PATTERNS

SECUREING A BASE LINE…

LINE WIDTH?

>2X FLAME LENGTH

DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”! CAN CAUSE FIRE WHIRLS (VORTICES)

USE CAUTION WALKING DOWNWIND!

USE CAUTION IN HEAVY FUELS

USE CAUTION ON SLOPES

USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES CONVERGE

ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS DOING

FIRE GENERATED WINDS

KNOW LOCATIONS OF PERSONNEL & EQUIPMENT

L.C.E.S. SAFETY should always be on your mind LOOKOUTS COMMUNICATIONS ESCAPE ROUTES SAFETY ZONES L.C.E.S.