Unit 7 - Securing the Control Line

Objectives Understand methods of holding and securing the control line to prevent slop- overs Demonstrate methods of mopping up after the control line is secure Explain about recognizing and protecting the point of origin

Holding the Control Line Heavy or overhanging fuels Hillsides Hot spots Spot fires

Trenching This is digging a shallow trench with the berm on the downhill side Any rolling material goes into the trench instead of all the way to the bottom of the hill

Hotspotting Areas of the line where fire is still active Wind, radiant heat, spots, or falling material can jump the line

Fireproofing This is protecting risk fuels on the green side of the line Foam gels, or retardant Removing fuel

Dozer Piles You may need to break up piles that may have burning material inside Don’t climb on top of piles

Mopping up This is putting out all remaining areas of fire and/or hotspots after the line around the fire is complete

Systematic method of mop-up LCES Wind at 5 mph Wet or Dry? Pattern N

Mop-up Mop-up is killing all remaining hotspots or smoldering areas Especially important to check areas near the control line On large incidents, the fire may be gridded out into sections

Mop-up Tips If no hotspots are found, wait a few minutes and look for smoke Look & listen for areas or spots Feel for heat

Mopping up with Water Mix up some mud and stir in smoldering materials if water is short If you have plenty of water, use straight streams to get into deep seated material

Surface & Ground Mop-up You may have to turn duff over several times to get all of the hot material exposed and out Tree roots may be smoldering under the surface

Snags Burned trees with; –Fire above ground –Burned up branches –Leaning/unstable –Smoldering/burned roots This is sawyer work; don’t attempt dropping this on your own SNAGS WILL KILL YOU!

Protecting the Point of Origin The area where the fire started is likely to be the area of the most heat damage. On most wildland fires, look for areas of hot white ash, this is usually your point of origin Also look and compare burn damage in different areas Protect the POO from damage from vehicles and foot traffic Don’t let anyone tamper with the site

Protecting the Point of Origin Good clues include damage to foilage that doesn’t normally burn well

Other clues that might help Always be on the lookout for suspicious people nearby the fire area Look around for any witnesses

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