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S190 Exam Questions and Correct Answers
Point of Origin Ans: The location where the fire started
Head of Fire Ans: The side of the fire having the fastest rate of
spread- usually hottest
Flank of a fire Ans: The part of a fire's perimeter that is roughly
parallel to the main direction of spread.
Rear of a fire or heel of fire Ans: Slowest spreading portion of a
fire edge... spreads directly into the wind or down slope....
opposite of the head....
Fire perimeter Ans: The entire outer edge or boundary of a
wildland fire. Islands may create interior perimeters
Fingers of a fire Ans: Extension of main fire - the long narrow
extensions of a fire projecting from the main body
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Pockets of a fire Ans: Unburned indentations in the fire edge
formed by fingers or slow burning areas
Island of a fire Ans: area of unburned fuel inside the fire
perimeter, usually a rock outcrop or lake
Spot fire Ans: Fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire
by a firebrand.... embers can jump ahead up to 1/4 or 1/2 mile
Smoldering Ans: burning with little smoke and no flame... barely
spreading
Creeping fire Ans: Fire burning with a low flame and spreading
slowly
Running fire Ans: Behavior of a fire spreading rapidly with a well
defined head and flanks
Spotting fire Ans: behavior of a fire producing sparks or embers
that are carried by the wind and start new fires beyond the zone of
direct ignition by the main fire
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Torching fire Ans: The burning of the foliage of a single tree or a
small group of trees, from the bottom up. mostly conifers
Crown fire Ans: Extremely hot fire that leaps from treetop to
treetop more or less independent of a surface fire... sometimes
classed as running or dependent to distinguish the degree of
independence from the surface fire
Flare up Ans: any sudden acceleration in the rate of spread or
intensification of the fire. unlike blowup, a flare-up is of relativity
short duration and does not change existing control plans
Firewhirl Ans: spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and
gases rising from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, debris, and
flame. fire whirls range in size from less than one foot to over 500
feet in diameter. large fire whirls have the intensity of a small
tornado... make own weather.... sign of unstable atmosphere
© 2025 All rights reserved
S190 Exam Questions and Correct Answers
Point of Origin Ans: The location where the fire started
Head of Fire Ans: The side of the fire having the fastest rate of
spread- usually hottest
Flank of a fire Ans: The part of a fire's perimeter that is roughly
parallel to the main direction of spread.
Rear of a fire or heel of fire Ans: Slowest spreading portion of a
fire edge... spreads directly into the wind or down slope....
opposite of the head....
Fire perimeter Ans: The entire outer edge or boundary of a
wildland fire. Islands may create interior perimeters
Fingers of a fire Ans: Extension of main fire - the long narrow
extensions of a fire projecting from the main body
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Pockets of a fire Ans: Unburned indentations in the fire edge
formed by fingers or slow burning areas
Island of a fire Ans: area of unburned fuel inside the fire
perimeter, usually a rock outcrop or lake
Spot fire Ans: Fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire
by a firebrand.... embers can jump ahead up to 1/4 or 1/2 mile
Smoldering Ans: burning with little smoke and no flame... barely
spreading
Creeping fire Ans: Fire burning with a low flame and spreading
slowly
Running fire Ans: Behavior of a fire spreading rapidly with a well
defined head and flanks
Spotting fire Ans: behavior of a fire producing sparks or embers
that are carried by the wind and start new fires beyond the zone of
direct ignition by the main fire
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Torching fire Ans: The burning of the foliage of a single tree or a
small group of trees, from the bottom up. mostly conifers
Crown fire Ans: Extremely hot fire that leaps from treetop to
treetop more or less independent of a surface fire... sometimes
classed as running or dependent to distinguish the degree of
independence from the surface fire
Flare up Ans: any sudden acceleration in the rate of spread or
intensification of the fire. unlike blowup, a flare-up is of relativity
short duration and does not change existing control plans
Firewhirl Ans: spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and
gases rising from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, debris, and
flame. fire whirls range in size from less than one foot to over 500
feet in diameter. large fire whirls have the intensity of a small
tornado... make own weather.... sign of unstable atmosphere
© 2025 All rights reserved
