S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
1. Point of origin The precise location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the
material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
2. Head of a fire The side of the fire having the fastest rate of spread
3. Flank of a fire The part of a fire's perimeter that is roughly parallel to the main direction of
spread.
4. Rear of a fire Portion of a fire spreading directly into the wind or down slope. Opposite the
head. Slowest spreading portion of a fire edge. Also called the heel
5. 3 main objectives Anchor, Flank, Pinch
to fight a fire
6. Fire perimeter Entire outer edge of a fire
7. Fingers of a fire Long narrow extensions of a fire projecting from the main body
8. Pockets of a fire Unburned indentations in the fire edge formed by fingers or slow burning areas
9. Island Area of unburned fuel inside the fire perimeter
10. Spot fire Fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by a fireband
11. Smoldering Fire burning without flame and barely spreading
12. Creeping fire Fire burning with a low flame and spreading slowly
13. Running fire Behavior of a fire spreading rapidly with a well defined head
14. Spotting Behavior of a fire producing sparks or embers that are carried by the wind and
which start new fires beyond the zone of direct ignition by the main fire
15. Torching The burning of foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees from the bottom
up
, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
16. Crown fire Fire that advances from top to top of trees or shrubs more or less independent
of surface fire. Sometimes classes as running or dependent to distinguish the
degree of independence from the surface fire.
17. Flare up Any sudden acceleration in the rate of spread or intensification. Relatively
short-duration. Junipers cause a lot of these.
18. Firewhirl Spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire and
carrying aloft smoke, debris, and flame. Can move all over and are unpredictable.
19. Backing fire That portion of the fire with slower rates of spread. Also called the heel
20. Flaming front That zone of a moving fire where the combustion is primarily flaming. Light fuels
typically have a shallow flaming front. Heavy fuels have a deeper front.
21. Anchor point An advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from which to start
constructing a fireline. Used to minimize the chance of being flanked while line is
being constructed.
22. Control line An inclusive term for all constructed or natural barriers and treated fire edges
used to contain a fire
23. Fireline The part of a containment or control line that is scraped or dug to mineral soil
24. Mop-up Extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, felling snags, and
trenching logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, to make a fire safe, or
to reduce residual smoke
25. Contained The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been
completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably
be expected to stop the fire's spread.
26. Controlled The completion of control line around a fire, any spot fires, and any interior islands
to be saved. Burn out any unburned area adjacent to the fire side of the control
, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
lines. Cool down all hot spots that are immediate threats to the control line, until
the lines can reasonably be expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions
27. Chain Unit of measure in land survey. 1 chain=66 feet. 80 chains=1 mile. 10 square
chains=1 acre.
28. 3 elements of the Fuel to burn
fire triangle Air to supply oxygen for the flame
Heat to start and continue the combustion process
29. 3 methods of Radiation, convection, conduction
heat transfer
30. Radiation Radiant heat can dry surrounding fuels and sometimes ignite them. Like standing
close to a camp fire warms you up.
31. Convection Think of this as a smoke column above the fire. Occurs when lighter warm air
moves upward. The hot gases and embers which compose the smoke column can
dry and ignite other fuels
32. Conduction Heat is conducted from one fuel particle to another by direct contact.
33. When is a fire When its expected to hold under any foreseeable conditions
controlled?
34. Topography The configuration of the earth's surface including its relief and the position of its
natural and man-made features
35. Aspect The direction a slope is facing (its exposure in relation of the sun
36. Aspect in terms N- have more shade; lowest rate of spread; late snow melt; later curing of fuels;
of N, S, W, E slops heavier fuels; higher humidity; lower temps
S- More exposed to sunlight; lighter and sparser fuels; high temps; higher rate
of spread; early curing of fuels; lower humidity; these are most critical in terms of
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
1. Point of origin The precise location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the
material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
2. Head of a fire The side of the fire having the fastest rate of spread
3. Flank of a fire The part of a fire's perimeter that is roughly parallel to the main direction of
spread.
4. Rear of a fire Portion of a fire spreading directly into the wind or down slope. Opposite the
head. Slowest spreading portion of a fire edge. Also called the heel
5. 3 main objectives Anchor, Flank, Pinch
to fight a fire
6. Fire perimeter Entire outer edge of a fire
7. Fingers of a fire Long narrow extensions of a fire projecting from the main body
8. Pockets of a fire Unburned indentations in the fire edge formed by fingers or slow burning areas
9. Island Area of unburned fuel inside the fire perimeter
10. Spot fire Fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by a fireband
11. Smoldering Fire burning without flame and barely spreading
12. Creeping fire Fire burning with a low flame and spreading slowly
13. Running fire Behavior of a fire spreading rapidly with a well defined head
14. Spotting Behavior of a fire producing sparks or embers that are carried by the wind and
which start new fires beyond the zone of direct ignition by the main fire
15. Torching The burning of foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees from the bottom
up
, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
16. Crown fire Fire that advances from top to top of trees or shrubs more or less independent
of surface fire. Sometimes classes as running or dependent to distinguish the
degree of independence from the surface fire.
17. Flare up Any sudden acceleration in the rate of spread or intensification. Relatively
short-duration. Junipers cause a lot of these.
18. Firewhirl Spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire and
carrying aloft smoke, debris, and flame. Can move all over and are unpredictable.
19. Backing fire That portion of the fire with slower rates of spread. Also called the heel
20. Flaming front That zone of a moving fire where the combustion is primarily flaming. Light fuels
typically have a shallow flaming front. Heavy fuels have a deeper front.
21. Anchor point An advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from which to start
constructing a fireline. Used to minimize the chance of being flanked while line is
being constructed.
22. Control line An inclusive term for all constructed or natural barriers and treated fire edges
used to contain a fire
23. Fireline The part of a containment or control line that is scraped or dug to mineral soil
24. Mop-up Extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, felling snags, and
trenching logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, to make a fire safe, or
to reduce residual smoke
25. Contained The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been
completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably
be expected to stop the fire's spread.
26. Controlled The completion of control line around a fire, any spot fires, and any interior islands
to be saved. Burn out any unburned area adjacent to the fire side of the control
, S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iiiiu
lines. Cool down all hot spots that are immediate threats to the control line, until
the lines can reasonably be expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions
27. Chain Unit of measure in land survey. 1 chain=66 feet. 80 chains=1 mile. 10 square
chains=1 acre.
28. 3 elements of the Fuel to burn
fire triangle Air to supply oxygen for the flame
Heat to start and continue the combustion process
29. 3 methods of Radiation, convection, conduction
heat transfer
30. Radiation Radiant heat can dry surrounding fuels and sometimes ignite them. Like standing
close to a camp fire warms you up.
31. Convection Think of this as a smoke column above the fire. Occurs when lighter warm air
moves upward. The hot gases and embers which compose the smoke column can
dry and ignite other fuels
32. Conduction Heat is conducted from one fuel particle to another by direct contact.
33. When is a fire When its expected to hold under any foreseeable conditions
controlled?
34. Topography The configuration of the earth's surface including its relief and the position of its
natural and man-made features
35. Aspect The direction a slope is facing (its exposure in relation of the sun
36. Aspect in terms N- have more shade; lowest rate of spread; late snow melt; later curing of fuels;
of N, S, W, E slops heavier fuels; higher humidity; lower temps
S- More exposed to sunlight; lighter and sparser fuels; high temps; higher rate
of spread; early curing of fuels; lower humidity; these are most critical in terms of
