Wildland Firefighting Module 1: S-130
Exam Questions and Answers
Origin - Correct Answers -The area where the fire started. It is also the point from which
the fire spreads, depending on the fuels present and the effects of wind and slope.
Head - Correct Answers -The part of a wildland fire with the greatest forward rate of
spread (ROS). The head of a fire often burns intensely and may move with alarming
speed. Some large fires may have multiple heads.
Fingers - Correct Answers -long, narrow strips of fire that extend from the main body of
a fire.
They form:
-When a fire burns into mixed fuels; slowing in heavy fuel, but spreading quickly in light
fuels
-Due to variations in terrain or wind direction
-When the head is split by natural features such as fields, water, or rock outcroppings
Pocket - Correct Answers -The unburned area between the main fire and any fingers.
Perimeter - Correct Answers -the outer boundary—or the distance around the outside
edge—of the burning or burned area. Also commonly called the fire edge
Rear - Correct Answers -or heel, of a wildland fire is the end opposite the head—that is,
relatively closer to the point of origin than to the head.
Burns with low intensity
Has a low rate of spread (ROS)
Is generally easier to control than the head
Hand Crew - Correct Answers -Consist of from 10 to 20 members but may sometimes
consist of as few as five. Hand crews have some of the most physically demanding
assignments on the fireline—constructing a fireline by hand is not only arduous, it is
often done in the worst atmospheric conditions and terrain possible.
Engine Crews - Correct Answers -Perform in some very strenuous tasks. For example,
setting up a long progressive hose lay in difficult terrain.
Engine crews are not typed, but engines are.
, Helitack Crews - Correct Answers -Used for the initial attack on small, remote fires.
They also manage the helicopter that carries ground crews to these locations. The size
of the crew will vary according to the agency or organization and the type of helicopter.
Type 1 helicopter has the most passenger seats.
Dozer and Tractor Plow Crews - Correct Answers -Used to construct firelines and
support other ground forces. The "crew" is usually made up of an operator and a helper.
-Dozers are classified from type 1 to 3, with type 1 being the heaviest and type 3 the
lightest.
-Tractor plows are classified from type 1 to 6, with type 1 being the heaviest and type 6
the lightest.
Flanks - Correct Answers -The sides of a wildland fire, roughly parallel to the main
direction of fire spread. Flanks are identified as either left or right as you are looking
from the heel of a fire toward the head.
Islands - Correct Answers -Unburned areas inside the fire perimeter. Because they are
unburned potential fuels, patrol them frequently and check for spot fires.
Slopover - Correct Answers -Fire edge that crosses a control line. Also called
Breakover.
Natural Barrier - Correct Answers -Any area where lack of flammable material obstructs
the spread of wildland fires.
Contain - Correct Answers -To take suppression action that can reasonably be
expected to check the fire spread under prevailing and predicted conditions. Also called
Containment.
The Green - Correct Answers -Area of unburned fuels, not necessarily green in color,
adjacent to but not involved in a wildland fire.
The Black - Correct Answers -Area already burned by a wildland fire. Also called Burn.
Rate of Speed (ROS) - Correct Answers -Fire spread is simply the movement of the fire.
1 ft. (0.3 m)/minute = 1 chain/hour
10 ft. (3 m)/minute = 10 chains/hour
Chain - Correct Answers -A surveying term and equals 66 ft.
Smoldering - Correct Answers -Fire is one that burns without a flame and is barely
spreading
Creeping - Correct Answers -Fire is one that burns with a flame and is barely spreading
Running - Correct Answers -Fire is one that spreads rapidly with a well-defined head
Exam Questions and Answers
Origin - Correct Answers -The area where the fire started. It is also the point from which
the fire spreads, depending on the fuels present and the effects of wind and slope.
Head - Correct Answers -The part of a wildland fire with the greatest forward rate of
spread (ROS). The head of a fire often burns intensely and may move with alarming
speed. Some large fires may have multiple heads.
Fingers - Correct Answers -long, narrow strips of fire that extend from the main body of
a fire.
They form:
-When a fire burns into mixed fuels; slowing in heavy fuel, but spreading quickly in light
fuels
-Due to variations in terrain or wind direction
-When the head is split by natural features such as fields, water, or rock outcroppings
Pocket - Correct Answers -The unburned area between the main fire and any fingers.
Perimeter - Correct Answers -the outer boundary—or the distance around the outside
edge—of the burning or burned area. Also commonly called the fire edge
Rear - Correct Answers -or heel, of a wildland fire is the end opposite the head—that is,
relatively closer to the point of origin than to the head.
Burns with low intensity
Has a low rate of spread (ROS)
Is generally easier to control than the head
Hand Crew - Correct Answers -Consist of from 10 to 20 members but may sometimes
consist of as few as five. Hand crews have some of the most physically demanding
assignments on the fireline—constructing a fireline by hand is not only arduous, it is
often done in the worst atmospheric conditions and terrain possible.
Engine Crews - Correct Answers -Perform in some very strenuous tasks. For example,
setting up a long progressive hose lay in difficult terrain.
Engine crews are not typed, but engines are.
, Helitack Crews - Correct Answers -Used for the initial attack on small, remote fires.
They also manage the helicopter that carries ground crews to these locations. The size
of the crew will vary according to the agency or organization and the type of helicopter.
Type 1 helicopter has the most passenger seats.
Dozer and Tractor Plow Crews - Correct Answers -Used to construct firelines and
support other ground forces. The "crew" is usually made up of an operator and a helper.
-Dozers are classified from type 1 to 3, with type 1 being the heaviest and type 3 the
lightest.
-Tractor plows are classified from type 1 to 6, with type 1 being the heaviest and type 6
the lightest.
Flanks - Correct Answers -The sides of a wildland fire, roughly parallel to the main
direction of fire spread. Flanks are identified as either left or right as you are looking
from the heel of a fire toward the head.
Islands - Correct Answers -Unburned areas inside the fire perimeter. Because they are
unburned potential fuels, patrol them frequently and check for spot fires.
Slopover - Correct Answers -Fire edge that crosses a control line. Also called
Breakover.
Natural Barrier - Correct Answers -Any area where lack of flammable material obstructs
the spread of wildland fires.
Contain - Correct Answers -To take suppression action that can reasonably be
expected to check the fire spread under prevailing and predicted conditions. Also called
Containment.
The Green - Correct Answers -Area of unburned fuels, not necessarily green in color,
adjacent to but not involved in a wildland fire.
The Black - Correct Answers -Area already burned by a wildland fire. Also called Burn.
Rate of Speed (ROS) - Correct Answers -Fire spread is simply the movement of the fire.
1 ft. (0.3 m)/minute = 1 chain/hour
10 ft. (3 m)/minute = 10 chains/hour
Chain - Correct Answers -A surveying term and equals 66 ft.
Smoldering - Correct Answers -Fire is one that burns without a flame and is barely
spreading
Creeping - Correct Answers -Fire is one that burns with a flame and is barely spreading
Running - Correct Answers -Fire is one that spreads rapidly with a well-defined head
