Fire Operations in the Urban Interface

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ENGINE OPERATIONS
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ENGINE OPERATIONS
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Terra (1994)
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Terra Fire (1994)
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Terra Fire (1994)
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Terra Fire (1994)
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Terra (1995)
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Engine Access Positioning

• Negotiating the access
• Pay attention to landmarks and hazards
• Mark the route
• If necessary, mark escape routes and safety zones
• Back the engine into position from the last known
  turn around

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Engine Access Positioning

• Engine position
• Park off the road. Do not block access
• Do not park over flammable vegetation
• Park on the side of the structure that will
  minimize engine exposure to heat and blowing
  firebrands
• Park close enough, but not right next to, the
  structure to minimize the length of hose lines
• Avoid parking near hazards
• Leave the doors closed and windows rolled up

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Hose Lines and Nozzles

• Working lines
• Hose sizes (1½, 1, ¾)
• Deploy two lines, one around each side of
  structure, long enough to meet behind structure
  (? 200)
• Attach lines to the same side of the engine with
  shut-off valve at engine
• Lead lines behind the engine and not in the exit
  path

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Hose Lines and Nozzles

• Supplementary lines
• Lines should be readily available for use on the
  roof or interior of the structure
• Interior line (1½ )
• Roof line (¾ hard-line or garden hose)
• Lines positioned for immediate use should be
  charged and checked

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Hose Lines and Nozzles

• Engine safety line
• Protection of the engine and crew
• Length of hose (1½) long enough to reach around
  the engine
• It must be easily reached and quickly charged by
  the crew
• It must not fall off if the engine is in motion

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Hose Lines and Nozzles

• Nozzles
• Combination nozzle best choice
• In high winds, straight-stream tips on working
  lines or roof lines work best

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Hose Lines and Nozzles

• Lines left or previously laid
• Working lines may be abandoned, but are still
  usable
• Lines can be laid prior to taking up a position
• Pre-laid lines should be left so they are easily
  noticed (flagged) and within reach of any
  incoming engine

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Confronting the Fire At the Structure

• Spotting Zone
• Firebrands are the major problem
• Firebrands may ignite new fires a mile or more
  ahead of the main fire
• Remain mobile enough to quickly reach any point
  within your area of responsibility
• Constantly check for new ignitions patrol and
  post lookouts (w/ communication)
• Quickly attack any spot fire completely
  extinguish

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Confronting the Fire At the Structure

• Full Containment (around structure)
• The wildland fire can be stopped short of the
  structure
• The control line will completely surround the
  structure or will join adjacent control lines
• If possible, simply put the fire out when it
  reaches the control perimeter
• Otherwise, fire out from a control line

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Confronting the Fire At the Structure

• Partial Containment (around structure)
• The wildland fire will move past the structure
  before a control line can be established
• Attempt to reduce the fires intensity as it
  moves towards the structure
• Use working lines to knock down the fire front
  that is moving directly toward the structure
• When the fire front is split, use the working
  lines to lead the fire around the structure
• After the main fire passes, put out any fire
  along the structures perimeter
• Quickly check the structure for fire

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Confronting the Fire At the Structure

• No Containment (around structure)
• The wildland fire will blow through essentially
  unchecked efforts are directed to the structure
• Direct all hose lines onto the structure and
  allow the wildland fire to burn past
• If safety of the crew is jeopardized, retreat to
  a pre-identified safe zone and re-enter the area
  when the fire has passed

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Fighting Roof Fires
Flammable roofs are frequently ignited by
wildland fires

• Small roof fires (about ¼ involved)
• the key is quick attack
• extinguished from the outside
• make sure the fire is out remove shingles

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Fighting Roof Fires

• Fire spread across roof
• assume fire has spread into and through the roof
• Simultaneously, attack with lines from the
  exterior and interior
• Only agency personnel trained and equipped for
  structural firefighting are permitted to make an
  interior attack

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Water Foam Use

• Water Supplies
• Save a 100-gallon reserve in your engine
• Take advantage of any opportunity to add water to
  your tank
• Know the characteristics of the water supply
• System capacity
• Flow rate
• Pressure
• Reliability

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Water Foam Use

• Water application
• Effective application is the key to conserving
  water and using it effectively
• Timing of water application
• Wetting down with water
• Reducing the heat build-up
• Duration of the heat wave
• Peak heat wave tactics

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Water ApplicationWetting Down w/ Water

• Wetting down is the application of water to fuel
  and structures before the fire arrives.
• Wetting down is usually a waste of time and water
• Wetting down takes large quantities of water, far
  out of proportion to the amount of fire it
  extinguishes
• In some instances, it can reduce ignitions

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Water ApplicationReducing Heat Build-up

• Water can be used to reduce or limit the
  potential build-up of heat
• Knock down the fire in surface fuels
• Prevent fire from getting into heavy, troublesome
  fuels

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Water ApplicationDuration of the Heat Wave

• The duration of the intense heat produced by
  burning wildland fuels depends upon the fuels
  involved and on the overall burning conditions

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Water ApplicationPeak Heat Wave Tactics

• Do not waste water by spraying at a wall of flame
  during the peak of the heat and smoke
• Seek refuge in the shade of something that blocks
  intense radiant heat
• Wait until you have an opportunity to do some
  good with your water
• Use water when and where you have the advantage,
  not on fire that is burning at its peak intensity

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Foam Use

• Class-A foam is an aggregation of small bubbles
  created by injecting air into a mixture of water
  and foam concentrate.
• When correctly applied, foam
• excludes the air from the fuel and envelopes the
  volatile combustible vapors at the fuel surface
• reflects radiant heat and absorbs heat of
  combustion
• clings to vertical surfaces
• releases water from its bubble structure at a
  reduced rate

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Foam Use

• Article (pg. 47) The effectiveness of forest
  firefighting Class A foams
• Video Tape Class-A Foam

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Attack Methods Using Foam

• Direct Attack
• Indirect Attack
• Structure Treatment
• Timing is critical
• Begin treating the structure 10-15 minutes before
  the expected front begins
• Foam should be applied to a structure by lofting
  the foam from a distance
• Fuel tanks and LPG containers can be coated

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Mobility

• Stay mobile
• Do not dig in
• If you must leave your position at a structure
• abandon the hose
• take only the fittings

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Retreating Returning

• It may be necessary to retreat due to intensity
  of the fire
• If returning to a structure after the main fire
  has passed, watch for hazards
• Downed power lines
• Burning snags
• Rock logs on road
• Smoke
• Weakened bridges or cattle guards

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Extinguishment Follow-up

• Within the limits of time available, there are
  important things you should do to assure that the
  structure remains safe
• Covered in Unit 5, Public Relations and Follow-up
• Video Engine Operations