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Section 604.01
Wildland Fires
I. Scope:
This standard was created to regulate the management of incidents involving ground cover in the rural service area or large open urban area.
II. Definitions:
A. Anchor Point: A term associated with attack methods referring to an advantageous location usually one with a barrier to fire spread which at times may be possible to start constructing a fire line. Used to minimize the chance of being outflanked by the fire. Most anchor points originate at or near the area of origin.
B. Backfiring (Backburning): Intentionally setting fire to fuels inside the control line to reduce fuel and contain a rapidly spreading fire. Used in the indirect method only.
C. Brands: Pieces of burning debris carried aloft in the convection column. May be carried outside the perimeter of the main fire by the wind causing spot fires.
D. Brush: Shrubs and stands of short, scrubby trees generally three to twenty feet in height.
E. Cat Line (Cut line): A fire line constructed by a bulldozer.
F. Control Line: A term used for all constructed or natural fire barriers used to control a fire.
G. Canopy Fire: Any fire that advances from top to top of trees or brush that is more or less independent of the surface fire.
H. Fire Line: The part of a control line that is scraped or dug down to mineral soil. Normally only used in wooded areas. Not generally used in grass fires.
I. Fire Perimeter: The entire length of the outer edge of the fire.
J. Head of a Fire: The most active part of a wildland fire.
K. Heavy Fuels: Fuels of a large diameter, such as logs and large tree limbs. These ignite slowly and burn slowly but produce a large amount of heat.
L. Mop-up: After the fire has been controlled, all actions required to make the fire “safe”. This includes trenching and checking all control lines.
M. Rear of Fire: The portion of the fire opposite of the head. The slowest burning part of the fire.
N. Wildland/urban interface: Where native vegetation comes in contact with structures and other man-made fuels.
III. Operational Procedures:
A. Direct Attack: Personnel and resources work close to the fire’s edge and put it out there. Best to use on small slow-moving fires with light fuels.
B. Indirect Attack: Uses natural and man-made barriers and backfiring or backburning.
C. Parallel Attack: Made by hand crews and heavy equipment (bulldozers, tractors, etc.) when intense heat or fire spread precludes direct attack. Back off 2 to 20 meters and parallel the flank.
IV. Safety Precautions:
A. The level of PPE to be used shall be full turnout gear unless otherwise directed by the incident commander.
B. SCBA shall be worn as conditions warrant.
C. EMS personnel may be on scene to monitor all personnel to prevent heat exhaustion, dehydration, etc. A re-hab sector shall be established whenever appropriate.
D. RCMP personnel may be on scene to control traffic and onlookers that may otherwise hinder firefighting efforts.
E. Standard Fire Orders:
1. Keep informed of weather conditions.
2. Know what your fire is doing at all times.
3. Base your actions on current and expected fire behaviour.
4. Plan escape routes for everyone and make them known.
5. Be alert, keep calm, think clearly and act decisively.
6. Maintain good communications at all times.
7. Give clear instructions and make sure they are understood.
8. Maintain control of your personnel at all times.
9. Fight the fire aggressively but provide for safety first.
10. On grass fires, fight the fire from the burnt area whenever possible.
11. Guard against getting your apparatus stuck in the soft terrain.
12. Confirm rural water supplies and locations.
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