Transcript Slide 1
BFCT
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
1. Backing
2. Head
3. 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
FIRE BURNS 90°
FLANK FIRE
WALK INTO WIND
WIND
TO 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
SAFETY should always be on your
mind
L.C.E.S.
LOOKOUTS
COMMUNICATIONS
ESCAPE ROUTES
SAFETY ZONES