1. Fire Breaks and Ignition Techniques
Belize Fire Workshop
Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area
Scott Simon

2. Firebreaks session objectives
Describe types of firebreaks
Describe principles of firebreak location
Describe factors in firebreak width
Describe need for accessibility
Describe hazard minimization techniques
Describe principles of burning out

3. Hard firebreaks High environmental impact (equipment)
To mineral soil - more secure
Sometimes difficult to patrol
Potential invasive species colonization.
Rehabilitate lines where possible to preclude invasive species

4. Soft firebreaks Low environmental impact (hand tools)
Sometimes less secure because fuel still in line
Sometimes requires additional holding - wetlining, organic, roots

5. Existing Barriers and Natural Firebreaks
Roads and fields
Rivers
Lakes
Bluffs
Principles of Firebreak Location
Establish Safe Anchor Points

6. Principles of Firebreak Location
Make the line as
short and straight as
possible
Avoid undercut lines
and sharp corners

7. Confirm Accessibility of Firebreaks
Firebreak width
Dependent on unit fuels, adjacent fuels, and hazards
Rule of thumb - break width should be 2-3 times the height of the flanking fire.
Confirm Accessibility of Firebreaks
*Personnel
With PPE
Equipment
Under burn conditions

8. Principles of Burning Out
Missed one
Going to need to do the firebreak preparation work sometime.
You choose when you want to do it.
Setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel and create a black-line.
Used to strengthen existing firelines without creating new ones.
Need appropriate weather and ample time.

9. Ignition Techniques Objectives
Describe considerations important for successful ignition
Describe the use, advantages, and disadvantages of ignition techniques
Describe the use, advantages, and disadvantages of ignition methods
Describe the combination of various ignition techniques and methods to achieve fire management objectives

10. Ignition Considerations
Desired fire behavior
Topography
Wind changes through the predicted burn period
Crew safety
Firing methods
Smoke management

11. Ignition Techniques Back fire Strip fire Spot fire Flank fire
Ring fire
Head fire

12. Back Firing
Where Used: Understory Burning, Heavy Fuels, Near Control Line, Smoke Sensitive Areas.
Advantages: Low Intensity, Low Scorch, Minimal Spotting Potential, High Consumption.
Disadvantages: Slow, Poor Dispersion.

13. Strip Head Firing Where Used: Large Units, Shrublands, Grasslands.
Advantages: Fast, Flexible, Can Adjust Intensity.
Disadvantages: Requires Access to the Unit, Fires Will Interact.

14. Spot Head Firing
Where To Use: Large Units, Units With Dispersed Fuels, Understory Burns.
Advantages: Fast, Intensity Highly Adjustable, Variable Fire Behavior.
Disadvantages: Need Access to the Unit.

15. Flank Firing Where Used: Shrublands, Light Fuels.
Advantages: FL Between Backing and Head Fire Behavior, Easily Modified.
Disadvantages: Susceptible to Wind Shifts, Requires Experience Firing Personnel.

16. Ring Firing
Where Used: Shrublands, Grasslands, Brush Piles, Clearcuts.
Advantages: Fast, Excellent Smoke Dispersal, Very High Intensity, Good Draw.
Disadvantages: Strong Convection Column May Develop, Spotting Potential May be High.

17. Head Firing
Where Used: Large Units, Shrublands, In Communities with Light Fuels.
Advantages: Fast, Inexpensive, Good Smoke Dispersal.
Disadvantages: High Intensity, Greater Spotting Potential, Larger Volume of Smoke Generated.

18. Ignition Techniques

19. IGNITION METHODS

20. You can achieve burn objectives by selecting appropriate ignition techniques and methods
Bottom line. It saves money.
Questions?