S130 & S190 Exam Questions and
Answers
Spot Fire Note Information ANSWERS Date and Time found
Size of spot
Distance to spot
Direction to spot
Lined or unlined
Name of the resource
A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a fire or
change the direction of force of the fire's convection column (used with indirect line)
ANSWERS Backfiring
This is generally considered a method of indirect attack and used against the head of a
rapidly spreading fire. ANSWERS Backfiring
Advantages of backfiring ANSWERS FF Safety
Reduced fatigue, heat, and smoke
Indirect attack method
Reduced prep time with use of natural barriers
Eliminates fuel in front of advancing fire front
Reduces fire intensity and spread rate near control line
Can alter direction of main fire spread
Increases tactical options by improving fireline
Disadvantages of backfiring ANSWERS -FF Safety
-Req's addtn'l prep, org, and coord, over simple line construction
-More acreage burned
-May influence fire activity on other divisions negatively
The decision to backfire is usually made by who? ANSWERS Operations Section
Chief with IC approval
Operation of Backfiring entails what? ANSWERS -Approval by IC on ALL incidents
On large incidents
-Decision made by Ops Section Chief with IC approval
-Put into effect at divisional level
-May involve written plan using fire behavior analysts and incident meteorologists
-Consider non-conventional shifts (night/swing shifts)
Setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the
control line (used with parallel or direct line only) ANSWERS Burning Out
, An action taken to strengthen and straighten control lines by eliminating fuel between
the fire edge and the control line; considered direct attack. ANSWERS Burning
Out
Advantages of Burning Out: ANSWERS -Direct method of attack
-Strengthens/Secures line
-Reduces required holding forces
-Minimizes amount of line construction required
-cuts across finger
-Incorporates spot fire
-Lighter vs. Heavy fuels
-Natural barriers
Independent fire activity outside the fire containment line (not in contact with the fire
containment line or main fire) ANSWERS Spot fire
Fire crossing over the containment line (still connected to main fire) ANSWERS
Slop over
Line made directly on the fires edge (or perimeter) ANSWERS Direct
This is the safest form of line construction because it allows you to do what?
ANSWERS Direct; keep one foot in the black
This line construction works best in light fuels or low intensity fires (flame lengths < 4ft.
ANSWERS Direct
This line is constructed parallel to, but further from, the fires edge than in direct attack
ANSWERS Parallel
Disadvantages of Burning Out: ANSWERS -Addtn'l work
-Increases risk of spotting across control lines
-More smoke/management issues
-More acreage burned
Operation of Burning Out entails what? ANSWERS -Crew boss has authority to
initiate w/ approval from Division Sup
-On-going part of line construction
-Can't adversely affect actions of others, be in conjunction of other divisions and
adjoining forces
-Keep adjoining forces informed
-Ensure clear comm's/intent is understood through all levels
-Avoid deploying holding forces in unburned fuels ahead of firing operation
Answers
Spot Fire Note Information ANSWERS Date and Time found
Size of spot
Distance to spot
Direction to spot
Lined or unlined
Name of the resource
A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a fire or
change the direction of force of the fire's convection column (used with indirect line)
ANSWERS Backfiring
This is generally considered a method of indirect attack and used against the head of a
rapidly spreading fire. ANSWERS Backfiring
Advantages of backfiring ANSWERS FF Safety
Reduced fatigue, heat, and smoke
Indirect attack method
Reduced prep time with use of natural barriers
Eliminates fuel in front of advancing fire front
Reduces fire intensity and spread rate near control line
Can alter direction of main fire spread
Increases tactical options by improving fireline
Disadvantages of backfiring ANSWERS -FF Safety
-Req's addtn'l prep, org, and coord, over simple line construction
-More acreage burned
-May influence fire activity on other divisions negatively
The decision to backfire is usually made by who? ANSWERS Operations Section
Chief with IC approval
Operation of Backfiring entails what? ANSWERS -Approval by IC on ALL incidents
On large incidents
-Decision made by Ops Section Chief with IC approval
-Put into effect at divisional level
-May involve written plan using fire behavior analysts and incident meteorologists
-Consider non-conventional shifts (night/swing shifts)
Setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the
control line (used with parallel or direct line only) ANSWERS Burning Out
, An action taken to strengthen and straighten control lines by eliminating fuel between
the fire edge and the control line; considered direct attack. ANSWERS Burning
Out
Advantages of Burning Out: ANSWERS -Direct method of attack
-Strengthens/Secures line
-Reduces required holding forces
-Minimizes amount of line construction required
-cuts across finger
-Incorporates spot fire
-Lighter vs. Heavy fuels
-Natural barriers
Independent fire activity outside the fire containment line (not in contact with the fire
containment line or main fire) ANSWERS Spot fire
Fire crossing over the containment line (still connected to main fire) ANSWERS
Slop over
Line made directly on the fires edge (or perimeter) ANSWERS Direct
This is the safest form of line construction because it allows you to do what?
ANSWERS Direct; keep one foot in the black
This line construction works best in light fuels or low intensity fires (flame lengths < 4ft.
ANSWERS Direct
This line is constructed parallel to, but further from, the fires edge than in direct attack
ANSWERS Parallel
Disadvantages of Burning Out: ANSWERS -Addtn'l work
-Increases risk of spotting across control lines
-More smoke/management issues
-More acreage burned
Operation of Burning Out entails what? ANSWERS -Crew boss has authority to
initiate w/ approval from Division Sup
-On-going part of line construction
-Can't adversely affect actions of others, be in conjunction of other divisions and
adjoining forces
-Keep adjoining forces informed
-Ensure clear comm's/intent is understood through all levels
-Avoid deploying holding forces in unburned fuels ahead of firing operation
