FAQs
Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished.
Is it hard to be a wildland firefighter? ›
Wildland firefighters complete intense physical training to pass fitness tests like the Arduous Work Capacity Test, which assesses your physical health. To pass the test, you hike for 3 miles while carrying heavy equipment in under 45 minutes.
What is the difference between a burnout and a backfire? ›
A backfire differs from a burnout, in that backfire is used when the fire is advancing quickly and there is not time to plan ahead and choose specific weather and terrain conditions. of flammable fuel. The physical features of the land surface – both natural and man-made. Any action taken to extinguish a wildfire.
When flame lengths exceed 8 feet 2.4 meters? ›
When flame lengths exceed 8 ft. (2.4 m), direct attack of any kind becomes impractical. In this situation, indirect attack is the only option.
What are the 3 things to stop fire? ›
A fire needs three elements - heat, oxygen and fuel. Without heat, oxygen and fuel a fire will not start or spread. A key strategy to prevent fire is to remove one or more of heat, oxygen or fuel. The risk assessment should include detail on all three elements to minimise the risk of a fire starting/ spreading.
What 3 things do you need in the fire triangle in order to burn something? ›
What is the fire triangle? The fire triangle is a simple model that explains what elements need to be present for a fire to ignite and burn. It consists of three elements: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Without either of these three, a fire cannot start or sustain itself.
How many miles do wildland firefighters hike? ›
You have to hike carrying 45 pounds 3 miles in under 45 minutes (some high elevation duty stations will have an adjusted time. Usually no more than 46:30). You have to walk, no running is allowed, and the course is generally flat. I've done it on tracks, gravel trails, and dirt roads.
Can felons work for Cal Fire? ›
Pursuant to California Penal Code 4571, any individual interested in seeking employment who may be required to work with inmates at a conservation camp must disclose of any prior felony status up front, so CAL FIRE/CDCR can provide informed consent to a former felon to be on the Conservation Camp/Prison grounds.
What is cold trailing in wildland firefighting? ›
A cold trailing technique is a method of controlling a partly dead fire edge by carefully inspecting and feeling with the hand for heat to detect any fire, digging out every live spot, and trenching any live edge.
What does keep one foot in the black mean? ›
Firefighters can usually escape back into the burned area for a safety zone. This is known as “keeping one foot in the black.” Parallel attack is made by constructing a fireline parallel to, but further from, the fire edge than in direct attack (see Figure 4).
This technique is generally used during prescribed fire application. It establishes a line of fire in a V`shaped pattern to burn off ridge points or ends. The burn progression must be down hill. Chevron Firing should be used in combination with other firing techniques.
What is the area between the fingers of a wildland fire? ›
Pockets are unburned indentations in the fire edge formed by fingers or slow burning areas. Unburned islands are areas where fuels were not combusted within the fire perimeter.
Which is one of the three causes of wildland fire ignition? ›
Wildfire Causes at a Glance
Wildfires typically start due to a combination of dry vegetation, hot conditions, and an ignition source. Natural causes include lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions. Human activities, such as campfires left unattended, discarded cigarettes, and arson, are also major contributors.
What is the purpose of having water with you in your fire shelter? ›
If you are well hydrated, your body can sweat and cool itself more effectively. This is particularly important during an entrapment. Do not use your water to wet your clothing or your bandanna inside the fire shelter. Wet clothing conducts heat to the skin more quickly than dry clothing, so burns are more likely.
What are the three methods for breaking the fire triangle? ›
Breaking the Fire Triangle
There are various methods to remove one of the elements from the fire triangle such as: applying water to remove heat; smothering with mineral soil to remove oxygen; or constructing a fuel break ahead of the fire to remove fuels.
What are the 3 methods of extinguishing a fire based on the fire triangle? ›
Fires of any kind are put out using one of three methods: cooling, starvation, or smothering. The fire triangle is a basic model for understanding the source and progression of any fire.
What breaks the fire triangle? ›
Breaking the fire triangle
Not enough oxygen and the fire will suffocate. No fuel means there's nothing to burn anymore. Not enough heat prevents the fire from sustaining itself, so it goes out.
What are the three factors of the fire triangle? ›
The triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen). A fire naturally occurs when the elements are present and combined in the right mixture.