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?

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES WIND SPEED & DIRECTIONWIND SPEED & DIRECTION SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN

CLOSE PROXIMITY?CLOSE PROXIMITY? CREW CREW

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGEEXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Basic Fire Types- Related to Wind Characterize basic fire types

1. Backing2. Head3. 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 WINDBURNS 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 STAY BEHIND DOWNWIND DOWNWIND IGNITOR!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 REMAIN IN SIGHTSIGHT

MAINTAINMAINTAIN

PACEPACE

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

FLANK FIREWINDWIND

FIRE BURNS 90° FIRE BURNS 90°

TO WINDTO WINDWALK INTO WINDWALK INTO 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

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

5. Ring Fire

How it’s really done:How it’s really done:

USE A VARIETY OF USE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES OVER A TECHNIQUES OVER A RANGE OF WEATHER RANGE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC BURN PATTERNSBURN PATTERNS

SECUREING A BASE LINE…SECUREING A BASE LINE…

LINE WIDTH?LINE WIDTH?

>2X FLAME >2X FLAME LENGTHLENGTH

DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”!DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”!

CAN CAUSE FIRE WHIRLS (VORTICES)

USE CAUTION WALKING USE CAUTION WALKING DOWNWIND!DOWNWIND!

USE CAUTION IN HEAVY USE CAUTION IN HEAVY FUELSFUELS

USE CAUTION ON USE CAUTION ON SLOPESSLOPES

USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES CONVERGECONVERGE

ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS DOINGDOING

FIRE GENERATED FIRE GENERATED WINDSWINDS

KNOW LOCATIONS OF KNOW LOCATIONS OF PERSONNEL & PERSONNEL & EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT

L.C.E.S.L.C.E.S.LLOOKOUTSOOKOUTSCCOMMUNICATIONS OMMUNICATIONS EESCAPE ROUTESSCAPE ROUTESSSAFETY ZONESAFETY ZONES

SAFETY should always be on your mind