Intermediate Prescribed Fire Course Mop-up

Objetives Define mop-up as part of the prescribed burn process. Identify the two principal approaches to mop-up. Identify three activities used during mop- up. Understand safety measures during the mop-up process. Determine the level of mop-up needed on a burn.

Definition Mop-up is the activity directed toward safely securing and extinguishing combustion on a prescribed burn. The action can be directed at the entire burn unit surface, or it can focus on a safety belt around the perimeter of the burn.

Caracteristics of Mop-up Involves unpleasant, difficult work that is very important and necesario for the safety of personal, the general public, and resources outside the burn unit, and to ensure the continuation of your burn program. It uses up to 80% of the total effort on the burn. It requires responsibility, commitment, and patience

Mop-up techniqes Mop-up with hand tools:Mop-up with hand tools: –Rake, scrap and mix burning material with soil. –Use soil more that water (which is usually in short supply). –Separate materials that are burning from those that are not burning. –Roll-over down tree trunks and other heavy materials. –Cut down burning snags, especially near the perimeter.

Mop-up techniques Use of hand tools

Mop-up techniques With hand tools and waterWith hand tools and water –Separate burning materials and cool them with a spray of water. –Use water in backpack pumps in combination with another two, i.e. two people working together. –The spray nozzle conserves more water than the straight-stream nozzle. –Use the straight-stream nozzle to penetrate burning wood or to reach elevated fuels.

Mop-up using water with a McCloud tool.

Using a straight stream of water to reach elevated fuels.

Mop-up Using hand tools with water; mixing and scraping

Mop-up decisions Need to determine the level of mop-up needed to secure the burn and to meet other criteria, e.g. smoke issues. These decisions should be made before the burn and stated in the prescribed burn plan.

Mop-up activities Look for and locate possible spot fires not only during the burn, but after the burn is competed.

Mop-up activities Scrape and remove burning portions of trunks, stumps and roots.

Mop-up activities Move trunks and other heavy fuels so they are parallel to the slope.

Mop-up activities Locate hot-spots using these signs: Whisps of smoke White ash Flies Use the back of you hand to feel for heat

Mop-up activities If there is a problem with rolling materials, e.g. pine cones, secure the down slope line with a “V” trench.

Safety issues Risks during the mop-up process: –Leaning or hanging trees or snags. –Hollow trees or partially burned trunks. –Large dead branches that are burning –Live trees with burned roots or with organic soils burned out.

A safety issue?

Safety issues Risks associated with using water: –Blow-back of steam from hot rocks or trunk holes. –Be aware of the people working around you. –Use eye protection –Use the spray nozzle on hot rocks or soil.

Safety issues Be careful not to step in stump holes or other burned out cavities.

Things to consider before the burn How big is the area to be burned? What are the fuels that will be burning after the ignition process is over? Is water and/or foam available? What other resources are available? What are the forecasted weather conditions at the end of the burn? The next day or two? Are you using “soft control lines”, e.g. wet lines, blacklines, that may not be secure after the burn? Is it possible for some burning material to be raked outside the control lines? Is there a possibility of a re-burn a few days after the burn? Use all of your senses during the mop-up process. What are the smoke issues after the burn?

Questions?