Central ArizonaCentral Arizona

Brush Fire Brush Fire PreparednessPreparedness

Part 3Part 3

Tactics, strategy and common resources Tactics, strategy and common resources found on wildland fires.found on wildland fires.

April 2010April 2010

Disclaimer and IntentDisclaimer and Intent

Like all fire fighting operations, wildland fire control and suppression is inherently dangerous.

This presentation is designed to increase fire fighter safety and awareness at local brush fire incidents in the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is not designed to teach in-depth and/or complex wildland fire suppression techniques, skills or tactics, nor replace National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standardized training.

The overall intent of this presentation is to promote the safe operations of structural fire crews responding to initial attack wildland fires which have the potential to increase into complex fire incidents requiring multiple fire agency resources. This training can be used on an individual, company or department-wide basis.

Strategy and ICS

Peoria, AZ wildfire

Note: An ACRE is the size of a football field WITHOUT the end zones,

or 208’ X 208’.

Size-up ConditionsSize-up Conditions Fire behavior: Fire behavior: smoldering, active, runningsmoldering, active, running.. Approximate size: i.e. Approximate size: i.e. 20’ by 30’,20’ by 30’, half acre; 5 half acre; 5

acresacres, etc., etc. Spread potential: Spread potential: low, moderate, high, extremelow, moderate, high, extreme.. Fuels: Fuels: Grass, brush, river bottom fuelsGrass, brush, river bottom fuels.. Hazards: i.e. Hazards: i.e. power lines.power lines. Exposures:Exposures:

# immediately threatened# immediately threatened # potentially threatened# potentially threatened Consider MCT “snap shot” feature to view area Consider MCT “snap shot” feature to view area

structures/features.structures/features. ActionsActions Resource needs/Balance assignment. Call for state Resource needs/Balance assignment. Call for state

assistance early if support will be needed.assistance early if support will be needed.

StrategyStrategy Fire Fighter Safety is paramount! Do NOT Fire Fighter Safety is paramount! Do NOT

put fire fighters where they can be trapped put fire fighters where they can be trapped by fire.by fire.

Generally, fire fighters should NOT be placed Generally, fire fighters should NOT be placed in the un-burned area ahead of the fire.in the un-burned area ahead of the fire.

Consider containment options, including Consider containment options, including roads, canals, river bottoms, farm lands.roads, canals, river bottoms, farm lands.

Consider letting the fire burn itself out.Consider letting the fire burn itself out. If actions must be taken, consider multiple If actions must be taken, consider multiple

tactics depending on features of the area.tactics depending on features of the area. Contain and stop forward progress. Do not Contain and stop forward progress. Do not

forget the less active sides.forget the less active sides.

Phoenix Regional SOP Phoenix Regional SOP Vol. 2Vol. 2

202.15 Revised 10/99202.15 Revised 10/99

1.1. Aggressively stop the forward progress.Aggressively stop the forward progress.

2.2. Primary goal is to protect exposures Primary goal is to protect exposures when immediate fire control is not when immediate fire control is not possible.possible.

Rice Fire, Fallbrook, CA. 2007

ICS ConsiderationsICS Considerations A sector is the same as a DIVISION; that A sector is the same as a DIVISION; that

being a GEOGRAPHIC reference. Example: being a GEOGRAPHIC reference. Example: “Division A (“Alpha”) or “West Division”.“Division A (“Alpha”) or “West Division”.

A GROUP is a FUNCTIONAL sector of ICS. A GROUP is a FUNCTIONAL sector of ICS. Example: “Structure Protection Group” Example: “Structure Protection Group” whose sole responsibility is protecting whose sole responsibility is protecting structures in a certain area. structures in a certain area.

OPERATIONS runs the fire attack OPERATIONS runs the fire attack operation for the IC.operation for the IC.

AIR OPERTIONS runs the aircraft fire AIR OPERTIONS runs the aircraft fire attack duties for the IC.attack duties for the IC.

Small ICS structureSmall ICS structure

IC(“Baseline Command”)

West Sector/Division

Battalion 181

East Sector/Division

Battalion 5

Air OperationsBattalion 7

Engine 57BR57

Engine 182BR182

Tender 57

E23BR23

BR241Tender 45

Firebird 3

Building Organization Building Organization (NIMS (NIMS

Compliant)Compliant)

ICIC

OperationsOperations LogisticsLogistics

SafetySafety

RehabRehab CanteenCanteen

West DivisionBC181

West DivisionBC181

East DivisionBC5

East DivisionBC5

E57BR57E182

BR182T57

E57BR57E182

BR182T57

E23BR23

BR241T45

E23BR23

BR241T45

Structure Protection

Group BC161

Structure Protection

Group BC161

E22E161E918E171

E22E161E918E171

PlanningPlanning

PIOPIO

South DivisionBLM 2101

South DivisionBLM 2101

BR436BLM E2330Lewis DOC Handcrew

BR436BLM E2330Lewis DOC Handcrew

Air OperationsFirebird 3Ranger 41

Air OperationsFirebird 3Ranger 41

StagingStaging

Engine Attack Methods

Cave Creek Fire, Maricopa County, 2005

TacticsTactics Start all actions with an ANCHOR Start all actions with an ANCHOR

POINT.POINT. ““ANCHOR and FLANK” the fire.ANCHOR and FLANK” the fire. Direct Attack or “Offensive” (click) : the

safest tactic; i.e. “One foot in the black”. Working directly on fires edge from an anchor point towards head of the fire.

Indirect Attack (“Defensive”):Indirect Attack (“Defensive”): pulling pulling back and using established (roads, back and using established (roads, canals, etc) or constructed fire canals, etc) or constructed fire containment lines.containment lines.

Standard Engine TacticsStandard Engine Tactics

1. Mobile1. Mobile

AttackAttack

oror

2. 2. StationaryStationary

AttackAttack

Attack fire from the BURNED SIDE!

1. Mobile “Inside-Out” 1. Mobile “Inside-Out” AttackAttack

In relatively flat terrain and in light fuels, the fire area cools quickly.

Fire fighters and apparatus work from within fire area in an inside-out attack. This leaves no chance for an entrapment or burn-over situation.

Crews work from within their safety zone (“the black”).

Engines anchor and flank fire working around fires edge.

Flanks are managed as Divisions.

If possible, apparatus should work from within the burned area, which serves as the primary SAFETY ZONE.

Safety Zone

West Division or

West Sector

East Division or East Sector

North

Stationary AttackStationary AttackThe same tactic as with a mobile attack, but hose lines are extended from a stationary Type 1, 2 or Type 6 engine.

Crew anchors and flanks fire, using “the black” as their “safety zone”.

Apparatus should be parked in location that cannot be entrapped or burned-over.

Safety Zone

Complex TacticsComplex TacticsTechniques or tactics which might be used by wildland fire-Techniques or tactics which might be used by wildland fire-

trained personneltrained personnel

Burnout/Backfire OperationsBurnout/Backfire Operations – – Uses drip torches Uses drip torches or fusee to remove fuels from the fire by burning out fuels near a or fusee to remove fuels from the fire by burning out fuels near a control line. Standard tactic by wildland engine and hand crews.control line. Standard tactic by wildland engine and hand crews.

DozersDozers – – Heavy equipment used primarily in timber fuels Heavy equipment used primarily in timber fuels and possibly heavy fuels such as the Gila and Salt Rivers. Not and possibly heavy fuels such as the Gila and Salt Rivers. Not normally used in Sonoran Desert due to the extensive damages normally used in Sonoran Desert due to the extensive damages caused.caused.

Hotshot burning out. Peoria, AZ.

Safety and Safety and CommunicationsCommunications

Ensure Ensure BOTHBOTH are in place at every incident are in place at every incidentCrew Safety

Implement and ensure standard safety practices of L C E S at every fire:

LOOKOUT(s) – A crew member(s) who watches crew, fire behavior and fire movement for impending danger.

COMMUNICATIONS – Maintain communications with crew, other resources, and command for optimum safety.

ESCAPE ROUTES – Have a route to escape to an area of safety.

SAFETY ZONES – A location where fire fighters can go to be safe.

Radio considerations:

Automatic aid agencies will have standard radio communications. State, federal, and tribal agencies, or out of area fire departments not on the Automatic Aid system might not have these frequencies.

Consider Statewide Mutual Aid or Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS) channels/frequencies to establish communications.

Wildland agencies will have field programmable radios and can program VHF frequencies on scene.

Fire Department Fire Department AssistanceAssistance

The Arizona State Forestry Division is prepared to support fire department

operations at wildland fire incidents if needed. Most fire departments have Inter-

Governmental Agreements to allow for this and to address costs.

Statewide Dispatch Center (24/7)

1-800-309-7081

Additional InformationAdditional Information Contact your department members of the Contact your department members of the

Central Arizona Wildland Response TeamCentral Arizona Wildland Response Team, , which includes most valley fire departments, which includes most valley fire departments, for additional information or training.for additional information or training.

Website Links (click):

CAWRT East

CAWRT West