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Wildfire Conference 2007

A Quantock Hills Perspective

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Working with Fire ..Safety First!

Tim Russell Senior Ranger

Quantock Hills AONB

Tim Russell Senior Ranger AONB

Andy Harris Ranger AONB

Andrew Davis Recreation Ranger AONB/FC

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An Ancient Tool that demands respect

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A Planned & Professional Approach to Working with Fire

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Steps before starting a burn:

Thorough Risk Assessment & checking of burn site

Assessment & recording of environmental and weatherconditions

Run through of the agreed burn and H&S to team

Inform landowners & Fire Service

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Properly Trained Staff & Volunteers

and the right equipment

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Personal Equipment

Full-face visor & helmet

Fire proof overalls Leather gloves & boots

2-way Radio & whistle

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Dont panic, stay calm..

Observe behaviour of the fire & wind

Know where the next breaks, tracks are

Keep in radio contact with rest of team

Make sure Buddy System is intact

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Be prepared to fight fire with fire

Fire breaks can be burnt beyond fire front These are in effect similar to back burns

Fire will not cross an already burnt patch

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ssessing a Burn in Progress

Fire proof high visibility jacket

Two-Way Radios

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Water a vital element

Allows confidence

Maintaining control with back burns

Puts out fires that get away

Ensures a fire is fully out at the end of a burn

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Water lance & bowser

Bowser & Pump towed behind 4WD Allowing access to fire front

And therefore control

Dont know how we managed without it!

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Water Bowser & Pump

Purchased for Commons

Management Environmental Stewardship Scheme

Now an essential piece of kit

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Ability to get around site where needed

ATV with water carriers Can also carry beaters, burners, First Aid kit, etc

Also quick response to team needs food & drink!

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Regular monitoring of Fire & Team

Observing behaviour of fire

Reporting back to those at fire site via radio

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Once youre sure its all out

Inform Fire Service & landowner

Check condition of equipment & supplies

Follow up with GIS mapping of burn for records

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Training others ..

NewStaff/Volunteers

Use of Equipment& PPE

Risk Assessments

and H & Sprocedures

Fire behaviour

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Working with others

Joint Training Sessions

Improved methods & equipment

Sharing knowledge (e.g. Ranger & Fire Services)

Fire Management Plans

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Unplanned Fires .. sharing knowledge & skills

Summer fires outside the Swaling season

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Fire Severity Index monitoring & pre-

burn environmental recording

Measuring environmental factors such as:

Wind speed & direction Vegetation & Soil moisture content

Ground & Air temperature

Info to Natural England for FSI predictions

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Fire Management Plans & Policies.. which ever part of the world

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Climate change a real issue to consider