1. WILDLAND ENGINE OPERATIONS WARDEN AND DEPUTY FOREST FIRE WARDEN
PART 2 - Tactics
WARDEN AND DEPUTY FOREST FIRE WARDEN
TRAINING 2008
Dept. of Resources and Economic Development

2. General Recommendations
Fight fires in fuels consistent with engine capabilities
Use direct attack whenever possible
Attack flank with greatest potential for escape
Use extreme caution during frontal assaults
Burn out unburned fuels if necessary
Reference: FLHB Pages

3. General Recommendations
Recognize topography hazards
Avoid fire path of least resistance
Preserve area of origin
Recognize education & experience
Consider needs for additional or specialized resources
Continually assess L.C.E.S.

4. Arrival on Scene Implement L.C.E.S Size of fire/Plan of Attack
Fire environment
Location of fire head
Time of day
Values at risk
Sufficient resources?
Correct tactical decisions always provide for safety first. Comply with Fire Orders and heed watch-out situations.

5. Size-up Considerations
Fuels
Topography
Weather
Fire Behavior
Reference: IRPG inside front cover

6. At the Scene Size-Up Weather Wind Temperature Humidity
Speed
Direction
Temperature
Solar heating and drying of fuels
Humidity
Atmospheric stability

7. LCES Lookout(s) Communications Escape Route(s) Safety Zone(s)
Objective
Hazard
Communications
Firefighters
Escape Route(s)
Safety Zone(s)
LCES must be established & known to ALL firefighters BEFORE needed

8. Fuel Groups
Grass
Shrub
Timber Litter
Logging Slash

9. Fuel Groups
For determining strategy and tactics you must identify the following for each fuel group:
Rate of spread
Reaction to water
Mop up time required
Duration of heat and flame
Best engine type utilized
Best method of attack (indirect, direct, or parallel)

10. Fuel Groups
Grass
Fuel Models 1-3
Found in most areas of the country

11. Fuel Group (Grass)
Has moderate to high spread and low to moderate fireline intensity (flame length)
Reacts very quickly to water and additives.
Doesn’t require as much mopup as in the other three fuel groups.
Short duration of heat and flames.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack is effective.

12. Fuel Groups Shrub Fuel models 4-7 Usually shoulder height
Some contain natural flammable resins

13. Fuel Group (Shrub) Moderate to high rate of spread.
Moderate to high fireline intensity (flame length).
Short duration of heat and flame.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack is effective.

14. Fuel Groups
Timber Litter
Fuel models 8-10
Sticks, twigs, leaves

15. Fuel Group (Timber) Low to moderate rate of spread.
Low to high fireline intensity (flame length).
Water and additives effectively reduce rate of spread.
Usually requires more mopup then the grass and shrub fuel groups.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack with engine may be effective depending on flame length and terrain.

16. Fuel Groups Logging Slash Fuel models 11-13
Ranges from light to heavy fuel loading

17. Fuel Group (Logging Slash)
Low to high rate of spread.
Low to very high fireline intensity (flame length).
Water and additives may react slowest in this fuel group.
Requires the most mopup of the four fuel groups.
Long duration of heat and flame.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Indirect attack is most often effective due to fuel loading.

18. Types of Attack
Direct
Indirect
Parallel

19. Fire Attack Tactics
Mobile
Stationary
Inside-Out
Tandem
Pincer
Envelopment
Correct Tactical Decisions Always Consider Safety First!

20. Direct Attack ?
Constructing a fireline right on the fire perimeter. Keep one foot (or tire) in the black and one in the unburned area.
What are some of the advantages?
What are some of the disadvantages?
Reference: IRPG page 9

22. Direct Attack Advantages
If necessary, crews can escape to safety in burned areas.
The fire is stopped with least spread and minimum acreage.
Full advantage is taken of burned out areas along the control line.
Need for burning out is reduced.

23. Direct Attack

24. Direct Attack Disadvantages
Personnel subject to heat, smoke and flame.
Control line is long and irregular and must follow fire edge.
Does not always take advantage of natural fire barriers.
Less effective against extremely fast moving hot fires.
Potential for reburn.

25. Safety Considerations
Consider the following to ensure the safety of your assigned personnel:
Fight fire in fuels consistent with engine capabilities.
Use direct attack when possible.
Attack flank with greatest potential for escape.
Burn out unburned fuels after coordinating with adjoining forces.

26. Safety Considerations, Continued
Use extreme caution during frontal assaults.
Avoid fire path of least resistance and recognize topography hazards (chimneys, chutes, Saddles).
Preserve area of origin.
Be aware of environmental factors.
Recognize education and experience.

27. Pincer Attack
Direct attack around fire in opposite directions by two or more engines
Safest to anchor at rear of fire, flank the fire, and cut off the head
Identify & flag anchor point(s)
Make sure everyone knows the anchor point(s)

28. Pincer-direct attack around a fire on opposite flanks by two or more fire control resources.

29. Tandem Fire Attack Two engines used in a mobile attack
First engine crew hits hot spots, second crew totally extinguishes fire
Very safe - one engine can help another in times of need.

30. Direct attack along
a part of the fire perimeter by two or more fire control resources. Control resources follow each other (can leap frog)

31. Envelopment Tactic
Involves striking critical segments or structures at the same time
Different anchor points are required for each resource
Engines move towards each other, tying lines together
Attack MUST be well coordinated

32. Envelopment Tactic Most complicated attack
Trying to do as much as you can as fast as possible
Requires good communications & experienced crews
Good method for interface situations

33. Critical areas are attacked first, Using the hotspotting technique,
then the engines start moving
towards each other.

34. Parallel Attack
Constructing a fireline parallel to, but further from, the fire perimeter than in direct attack.

35. Parallel Attack

36. Constructing a fireline parallel
to, but further from, the fire perimeter
than direct attack, due to fire intensity.
May shorten line by cutting across unburned
fingers. Intervening strips of fuel are immediately
burned out.

37. Parallel Attack Works well with engines in tandem
Safer to anchor a wet line & flank the fire instead of attacking head
Line firing personnel must be qualified!
Quicker than direct attack
Reduces heat & smoke exposure
Safety may be compromised prior to burning out

38. Parallel Attack, Advantages
May shorten line by cutting across unburned fingers.
Shortened line reduces actual line construction.
Personnel exposed to a reduced amount of heat and smoke.

39. Parallel Attack, Disadvantages
Requires personnel experienced in burning out.
Personnel do not always have access to the black for safety.
Safety may be compromised prior to the time that the unburned fuel can be burned out.

40. Indirect Attack
Constructing a fireline some distance from the fire perimeter.
Reference: IRPG page 10

42. Indirect Attack Timing and Coordination are critical!

43. Firing Operations Make sure firing is necessary.
Do not fire without consulting command and obtaining approval.
Coordinate firing operation with those around you.
May have to wait for favorable conditions.
Make sure you have adequate holding forces.

44. Indirect Attack, Advantages
Permits easier work for crew because there is less smoke, heat and flame contact.
May reduce length and irregularity of fire edge and control line.
Permits crews to take advantage of natural fire barriers.
Reduces danger of slopovers.

45. Hand Crews can be used to:
Construct handline
Conduct site preparation
Set up hose lays
Support engine crews
Conduct burn out operations
Mop up and patrol
Crew Production Rates-IRPG Page 88

46. Indirect Attack, Disadvantages
Fire can catch firefighters working in unburned fuel..
Fire can outflank firefighters and put crew in jeopardy.
Increased acreage burned.
Burning out can cause control problems.
Burnout operations must be well coordinated.

47. Simple Hose Lay
A hose lay consisting of consecutively coupled lengths of hose without laterals.
The lay is extended by inserting additional lengths of hose in the line between pump and nozzle.
Can be utilized instead of the live reel in mobile attack.

49. Stationary Attack Popular on smaller incidents.
Utilizes progressive hose lays for more efficient water delivery.
Removes engine from ability to quickly & safely respond elsewhere on incident.
Consider folding tanks or natural water sources & replace engine with a portable pump.

51. Progressive Hose Lay
A hose lay in which gated wyes are inserted in the main line at intervals.
Lateral lines are run from wyes to the fire edge.
Permits continuous application of water during extension of hose lay.
Utilized during stationary attack when access via engine is not available.

52. Progressive Hoselay
Charged lengths of hose are connected and extended from the engine. Laterals are put in for hot spots and mop-up.

53. Mobile Attack
Mobility is essential for most efficient engine operations.
Mobile attack best when combined with hand crews.
Utilize simple hose lays from engine to reduce time in re-location or demobilization.

54. Mobile Attack Fastest & most effective method
Nozzle operator always in view of driver
Follow up with hose & hand tools
Requires pump & roll capability
All-wheel drive desirable
Short wheel base best for off-road situations
Two nozzles best in heavier fires

57. Tandem Attack

58. Mobile Attack

59. Inside-Out Tactic Direct attack on head or flanks from the black
Excellent for light fuels
Good safety for personnel
Always have a charged line to protect the engine
Watch for hot material!

60. (Working from inside the black)
“Inside Out”
(Working from inside the black)

61. Situations Where Mobile Attack With Engines Should Not Be Used?
Firefighter safety is jeopardized.
Poor fireline access.
Terrain is too rough to travel.
Long turnaround times to obtain water.
Frontal attacks with fast flame spread.
Attacking long flame lengths.
Fuels too dense to negotiate.

62. Utilize a Combination of Attacks
If the direct attack is not working, start thinking about going parallel or indirect attack.
Be Flexible

63. Alternate Methods To Accomplish Assigned Task
Use of hand tools.
Use of backpack pumps.
Use spare pump to work with other engine crews to accomplish the assigned task.
Request assistance when necessary.

64. Responsibilities In The Event Of Engine Or Equipment Breakdown
Keep your supervisor informed.
Re-evaluate safety considerations.
Keep assigned personnel informed of any changes in the tactical assignment.
Keep adjacent forces informed.

65. THANK YOU! Continue your engine training with PART 3 - Exercises REMEMBER
SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY!