ENGINE OPERATIONS

ENGINE OPERATIONS
Terra (1994)
Terra Fire (1994)
Terra Fire (1994)
Terra Fire (1994)
Terra (1995)
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
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
 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
(≤ 200’)
structure (≤
– Attach lines to the same side of the engine
with shut-
shut-off valve at engine
– Lead lines behind the engine and not in the
exit path
 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-
hard-line or garden
hose)
– Lines positioned for immediate use
should be charged and checked
 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
 Hose Lines and Nozzles

Nozzles
– Combination nozzle: best choice
– In high winds, straight
straight--stream tips on working
lines or roof lines work best
 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
Pre--laid lines should be left so they are easily
noticed (flagged) and within reach of any
incoming engine
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
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
 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 fire’s 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
structure’s perimeter
– Quickly check the structure for fire
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-
pre-identified safe zone and re-
re-enter the area
when the fire has passed
 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
 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
 Water & Foam Use

Water Supplies:
– Save a 100-
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
 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-
build-up

Duration of the heat wave

Peak heat wave tactics
 Water Application
Wetting 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
 Water Application
Reducing Heat Build-
Build-up

 Water can be used to reduce or limit the

potential build-
build-up of heat
 Knock down the fire in surface fuels
 Prevent fire from getting into heavy,
troublesome fuels
 Water Application
Duration 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
 Water Application
Peak 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
 Foam Use

Class-A foam is an aggregation of small
Class-
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
 Foam Use

Article (pg. 47): The effectiveness of
forest firefighting Class A foams

Video Tape:
Tape: Class
Class--A Foam
Attack Methods Using Foam

Direct Attack

Indirect Attack

Structure Treatment
– Timing is critical
– Begin treating the structure 10-
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
 Mobility

Stay mobile

Do not “dig
“dig in”
in”

If you must leave your position at a
structure:
– abandon the hose
– take only the fittings
 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
Extinguishment & Follow-
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-
Follow-up

Video: Engine Operations