Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting
What type of firefighting is involved when providing Structure Protection? - answer
Indirect
True or False; We always commit to stay and protect a structure even if safety zones
aren't identified? - answer False, we must always identify a safety zone during size-up
and triage for the safety of our firefighters and equipment.
What should a company do when the fire front approaches the structure they are
protecting? - answer Move to the nearest safety zone, let the fire front pass, and return
as soon as conditions allow
Fire Behavior Prediction - answer* Base all actions on current and expected fire
behavior - do this first
* An estimate must be made when approaching fire intensity in order to determine if
there is an adequate safety zone and time available before the fire arrives
* Due to the dynamic nature of fire behavior, intensity estimates are difficult to make
with absolute certainty. It is imperative that firefighters consider worst case and build
contingency actions into their plan to compensate for the unexpected
Structural Size-up/Site Considerations - answer* Adequate safety zone based on fire
behavior predictions
* Adequate lookout and communication capability
* Adequate defensible space based on surrounding wildland vegetation
* Avoid narrow caynon bottoms, mid-slope with fire below, and narrow ridges near
chimneys and saddles
Tactical Challenges and Hazards
(Firefighters with a safety zone can safely defend structures with some challenges) -
answer* Narrow roads, unknown bridge limits, and septic tank locations
* Ornamental plants and combustible debris next to structure
* Wooden siding and/or wooden roof materials
* Open vents, eaves, decks, and other ember traps
* Fuel tanks and other hazardous materials
* Power lines
* Limited water sources
* Property owners remaining on-site
Structure Triage - answer* Defensible: Prep and Hold
* Determining Factor: L.C.E.S. present
* Size-up: Structure has some tactical challenges
What type of firefighting is involved when providing Structure Protection? - answer
Indirect
True or False; We always commit to stay and protect a structure even if safety zones
aren't identified? - answer False, we must always identify a safety zone during size-up
and triage for the safety of our firefighters and equipment.
What should a company do when the fire front approaches the structure they are
protecting? - answer Move to the nearest safety zone, let the fire front pass, and return
as soon as conditions allow
Fire Behavior Prediction - answer* Base all actions on current and expected fire
behavior - do this first
* An estimate must be made when approaching fire intensity in order to determine if
there is an adequate safety zone and time available before the fire arrives
* Due to the dynamic nature of fire behavior, intensity estimates are difficult to make
with absolute certainty. It is imperative that firefighters consider worst case and build
contingency actions into their plan to compensate for the unexpected
Structural Size-up/Site Considerations - answer* Adequate safety zone based on fire
behavior predictions
* Adequate lookout and communication capability
* Adequate defensible space based on surrounding wildland vegetation
* Avoid narrow caynon bottoms, mid-slope with fire below, and narrow ridges near
chimneys and saddles
Tactical Challenges and Hazards
(Firefighters with a safety zone can safely defend structures with some challenges) -
answer* Narrow roads, unknown bridge limits, and septic tank locations
* Ornamental plants and combustible debris next to structure
* Wooden siding and/or wooden roof materials
* Open vents, eaves, decks, and other ember traps
* Fuel tanks and other hazardous materials
* Power lines
* Limited water sources
* Property owners remaining on-site
Structure Triage - answer* Defensible: Prep and Hold
* Determining Factor: L.C.E.S. present
* Size-up: Structure has some tactical challenges
