CAL FIRE WILDLAND WRITTEN TEST QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
When do downslope winds occur? - Answers :At night
When do upslope winds occur? - Answers :in the morning
What are the 4 common denominators? - Answers :small fires or quiet areas of a large
fire, light fuels such as grass or brush, unexpected shift in wind or wind speed, fire runs
uphill due to topographic conditions
What is the function of a hose T? - Answers :Creates laterals, used for mopping up, in
the case of a spot fire you will not need to bring the hose all the way back
What are the warning signs of backdraft? - Answers :Sudden inrush of air, and also
heavy smoke from hot gases that may ignite, and flames at ceiling level
What do you say when you are walking through a fire line with crew members on it? -
Answers :Coming through
WUI priorities - Answers :Life, property, and the environment
What are the fives of a wildland firefighting tool? - Answers :Sharp, straight, smooth,
sound, and secure
What should you do if there is a potential life hazard - Answers :Make the hazard known
What are the symptoms of dehydration? - Answers :Hot, and dry skin
Advantages/disadvantages of direct attack - Answers :This involves working directly at
the fires edge. Crews can escape to safety in burned areas, it eliminates fuel at the fires
edge, and there is no need for personnel to standby to watch unburned areas. Some
disadvantages are that you will be subject to heat, and smoke and flame, and there is
more mop up required
Advantages/disadvantages of indirect attack - Answers :Uses pre-existing roads, or
natural barriers to make a fireline. Some advantages include easier work, and it reduces
the length of the fires edge and control line. Some disadvantages are that the fire can
catch crews working in unburned fuel, and the fire can outflank the crew.
Head - Answers :The fastest moving portion of the fire,
Finger - Answers :A small area that is protruding from the main fire
ANSWERS
When do downslope winds occur? - Answers :At night
When do upslope winds occur? - Answers :in the morning
What are the 4 common denominators? - Answers :small fires or quiet areas of a large
fire, light fuels such as grass or brush, unexpected shift in wind or wind speed, fire runs
uphill due to topographic conditions
What is the function of a hose T? - Answers :Creates laterals, used for mopping up, in
the case of a spot fire you will not need to bring the hose all the way back
What are the warning signs of backdraft? - Answers :Sudden inrush of air, and also
heavy smoke from hot gases that may ignite, and flames at ceiling level
What do you say when you are walking through a fire line with crew members on it? -
Answers :Coming through
WUI priorities - Answers :Life, property, and the environment
What are the fives of a wildland firefighting tool? - Answers :Sharp, straight, smooth,
sound, and secure
What should you do if there is a potential life hazard - Answers :Make the hazard known
What are the symptoms of dehydration? - Answers :Hot, and dry skin
Advantages/disadvantages of direct attack - Answers :This involves working directly at
the fires edge. Crews can escape to safety in burned areas, it eliminates fuel at the fires
edge, and there is no need for personnel to standby to watch unburned areas. Some
disadvantages are that you will be subject to heat, and smoke and flame, and there is
more mop up required
Advantages/disadvantages of indirect attack - Answers :Uses pre-existing roads, or
natural barriers to make a fireline. Some advantages include easier work, and it reduces
the length of the fires edge and control line. Some disadvantages are that the fire can
catch crews working in unburned fuel, and the fire can outflank the crew.
Head - Answers :The fastest moving portion of the fire,
Finger - Answers :A small area that is protruding from the main fire