WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING S-130 | FROM QUESTION
TO PERFECTION| STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Origin - Answer: 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 - Answer: 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 - Answer: 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 - Answer: The unburned area between the main fire and any fingers.
Perimeter - Answer: the outer boundary—or the distance around the outside edge—of the
burning or burned area. Also commonly called the fire edge
Rear - Answer: 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
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,Flanks - Answer: 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 - Answer: Unburned areas inside the fire perimeter. Because they are unburned
potential fuels, patrol them frequently and check for spot fires.
Slopover - Answer: Fire edge that crosses a control line. Also called Breakover.
Natural Barrier - Answer: Any area where lack of flammable material obstructs the spread
of wildland fires.
Contain - Answer: To take suppression action that can reasonably be expected to check the
fire spread under prevailing and predicted conditions. Also called Containment.
The Green - Answer: Area of unburned fuels, not necessarily green in color, adjacent to but
not involved in a wildland fire.
The Black - Answer: Area already burned by a wildland fire. Also called Burn.
Rate of Speed (ROS) - Answer: 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 - Answer: A surveying term and equals 66 ft.
Smoldering - Answer: Fire is one that burns without a flame and is barely spreading
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,Creeping - Answer: Fire is one that burns with a flame and is barely spreading
Running - Answer: Fire is one that spreads rapidly with a well-defined head
Backing - Answer: Where the fire moves away from the head, downhill, or against the wind
Spotting - Answer: When sparks or embers produced by the main fire are carried by winds
or a convection column
Torching - Answer: Periodically ignites the crown of a single or small group of trees or
shrubs before returning to the surface
Crowning - Answer: When it advances across the tops of trees or shrubs more or less
independent of the surface fire
Flare-Up - Answer: Any sudden acceleration in the ROS or intensification of the fire. A flare-
up is of relativity short duration and does not radically change existing control plans.
Blowups - Answer: Occurs when there's a sudden increase in ROS sufficient to prevent or
rule out direct control of the fire. A blowup will most likely be a setback to existing
suppression plans.
Mop-Up - Answer: 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.
Air Tanker - Answer: Fixed-wing aircraft used to drop retardant or water during an air attack.
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, Classification of Fire A-G - Answer: Class A—0 to 0.2 acres (0 to 0.1 ha)
Class B—0.3 to 9.9 acres (0.2 to 4 ha)
Class C—10 to 99.9 acres (4.1 to 40.4 ha)
Class D—100 - 299.9 acres (40.5 to 121.4 ha)
Class E—300 to 999.9 acres (121.5 to 404 ha)
Class F—1,000 to 4,999.9 acres (405 to 2,024 ha)
Class G—5,000 acres (2,025 ha) or more
Fire Season - Answer: Period(s) of the year during which fires are likely to occur, spread,
and damage wildland values sufficient to warrant organized fire suppression.
Extended-Attack Fire - Answer: Situation in which a fire cannot be controlled by initial-
attack resources within a reasonable period of time.
Gear Weight Limitations - Answer: Total individual gear weight—65 pounds (30 kg)
Web gear weight without water—20 pounds (9 kg)
Personal gear weight—45 pounds (21 kg)
Web Gear - Answer: Carry various tools in canvas pouches. Remember, your web gear
weight without water is supposed to be 20 pounds or less.
Canteen, Weather kit, Fire shelter, First-aid kit, Fusees, Portable radio and Food
RED Bag (Gear Bag) - Answer: Use your red bag to sock away extra clothing for up to 14
days and a lightweight sleeping bag. Remember, your personal gear weight limit is 45
pounds.
Personal Items - Answer: Matches (in a waterproof
container),Watch,Pocketknife,Eyeglasses and sunglasses,Water,Rain gear,Compass,Toilet
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
4
TO PERFECTION| STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Origin - Answer: 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 - Answer: 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 - Answer: 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 - Answer: The unburned area between the main fire and any fingers.
Perimeter - Answer: the outer boundary—or the distance around the outside edge—of the
burning or burned area. Also commonly called the fire edge
Rear - Answer: 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
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,Flanks - Answer: 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 - Answer: Unburned areas inside the fire perimeter. Because they are unburned
potential fuels, patrol them frequently and check for spot fires.
Slopover - Answer: Fire edge that crosses a control line. Also called Breakover.
Natural Barrier - Answer: Any area where lack of flammable material obstructs the spread
of wildland fires.
Contain - Answer: To take suppression action that can reasonably be expected to check the
fire spread under prevailing and predicted conditions. Also called Containment.
The Green - Answer: Area of unburned fuels, not necessarily green in color, adjacent to but
not involved in a wildland fire.
The Black - Answer: Area already burned by a wildland fire. Also called Burn.
Rate of Speed (ROS) - Answer: 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 - Answer: A surveying term and equals 66 ft.
Smoldering - Answer: Fire is one that burns without a flame and is barely spreading
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
,Creeping - Answer: Fire is one that burns with a flame and is barely spreading
Running - Answer: Fire is one that spreads rapidly with a well-defined head
Backing - Answer: Where the fire moves away from the head, downhill, or against the wind
Spotting - Answer: When sparks or embers produced by the main fire are carried by winds
or a convection column
Torching - Answer: Periodically ignites the crown of a single or small group of trees or
shrubs before returning to the surface
Crowning - Answer: When it advances across the tops of trees or shrubs more or less
independent of the surface fire
Flare-Up - Answer: Any sudden acceleration in the ROS or intensification of the fire. A flare-
up is of relativity short duration and does not radically change existing control plans.
Blowups - Answer: Occurs when there's a sudden increase in ROS sufficient to prevent or
rule out direct control of the fire. A blowup will most likely be a setback to existing
suppression plans.
Mop-Up - Answer: 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.
Air Tanker - Answer: Fixed-wing aircraft used to drop retardant or water during an air attack.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
, Classification of Fire A-G - Answer: Class A—0 to 0.2 acres (0 to 0.1 ha)
Class B—0.3 to 9.9 acres (0.2 to 4 ha)
Class C—10 to 99.9 acres (4.1 to 40.4 ha)
Class D—100 - 299.9 acres (40.5 to 121.4 ha)
Class E—300 to 999.9 acres (121.5 to 404 ha)
Class F—1,000 to 4,999.9 acres (405 to 2,024 ha)
Class G—5,000 acres (2,025 ha) or more
Fire Season - Answer: Period(s) of the year during which fires are likely to occur, spread,
and damage wildland values sufficient to warrant organized fire suppression.
Extended-Attack Fire - Answer: Situation in which a fire cannot be controlled by initial-
attack resources within a reasonable period of time.
Gear Weight Limitations - Answer: Total individual gear weight—65 pounds (30 kg)
Web gear weight without water—20 pounds (9 kg)
Personal gear weight—45 pounds (21 kg)
Web Gear - Answer: Carry various tools in canvas pouches. Remember, your web gear
weight without water is supposed to be 20 pounds or less.
Canteen, Weather kit, Fire shelter, First-aid kit, Fusees, Portable radio and Food
RED Bag (Gear Bag) - Answer: Use your red bag to sock away extra clothing for up to 14
days and a lightweight sleeping bag. Remember, your personal gear weight limit is 45
pounds.
Personal Items - Answer: Matches (in a waterproof
container),Watch,Pocketknife,Eyeglasses and sunglasses,Water,Rain gear,Compass,Toilet
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
4
