Types and Strategies of Forest Fire Fighting

If a fire can not be extinguished at the first attempt then additional personnel and resources must be notified and brought to the site of the fire. If the extent of the fire makes it necessary to split the fire fighting forces into divisions, then an operational headquarters is established. The operational manager is the fire chief who is the first to arrive at the scene.

Fire fighting is coordinated through the operational headquarters (emergency services centre or operations centre) from a central location (command vehicle or previously determined space), which is not directly located at the endangered site. The manager directs all actions to combat threats, in particular the effective deployment of fire fighters at often unknown locations. Hence, the manager must quickly ascertain and evaluate the situation. S/He has to be able to rely on information and recommendations from the operational headquarters. The relevant local forest official must also be part of the operational headquarters team, as s/he has precise knowledge of the forest area.

The operational headquarters has the following duties:

• Estimate, control and evaluate the state of the fire, fire development and fire fighting measures as well as present recommendations on how to proceed to the operational manager
• Position fire fighters and resources according to the operational manager’s commands
• Install necessary means of communications
• Ensure the provision of operational forces, the timely relief of personnel, medical supplies
• Prepare site plans and document issued commands, notifications etc.
• Set up barricades
• Detain at risk people

In contrast to building fires, the priority in forest and wild fires is to prevent the fire from spreading. In the rarest of cases, sites can be completely extinguished. The fire fighting strategy predominantly aims to contain the fire.

In order to fight a forest fire successfully, a thorough survey of the site is a must. The key focus areas are determined according to the following tactical priorities:

1. Protection of people
2. Protection of animals
3. Protection of structures (buildings, streets, utility lines)
4. Protection of endangered or fast burning vegetation

When investigating the type of fire (crown, ground or surface fire), geographic and topographic particulars (main direction of spread of blaze, terrain specifics, entry and escape points for water tenders, wind direction and any expected changes) also play an important role. Conclusions can also be drawn about the fire by observing the column of smoke (already when driving to the site). The colour and form of the column of smoke provides information about the fire’s behaviour.

Based on all this information a decision is made during the operational planning about how the fire will be fought. A defensive or offensive method of fire fighting is possible.

Common fire fighting practice in Germany is a direct offensive attack on a fire front by means of fire fighting crews, fire engines and/or air tankers. An approach against the wind at the fire front is the most effective, but because of the difficulty in predicting the speed at which the fire is spreading, is not without risks. This method can only be applied at low flame heights. The danger to people is high if the speed of the fire and flame lengths has been falsely estimated. Increasing wind speeds and hard to manage topographical conditions can lead to fire services being enclosed by fire. Furthermore fire crews are exposed to the heat of the fire and smoke.

If a direct attack is not possible, because the flames are too high to tackle or the surface is contaminated with ammunition, then these blazes are fought defensively. By creating fire breaks (fire lines) or using existing fire resistant barriers (streets, paths) the fire should be able to be halted. Fire breaks can even be laid in advance allowing straight fire lines to be created. Along with the positive benefit of working without heat or smoke stresses, this method also has disadvantages. They include the increased workload and the danger posed to the fire crews by working without visual contact with the fire perimeter. Furthermore fires are able to jump these fire breaks and surveillance of the land lying behind them is required. It is important while fire fighting (defensive as with offensive) to monitor the surrounds and immediately put out any fire islands caused by sparks or firebrands.

Establishing firebreaks is generally only sensible when intensive aerial fires are to be stopped. In most cases the immense personnel and material effort required (clearing tools, staff etc.) can be more effectively used in an offensive procedure. However, their establishment can always be seen as a Plan B in order to safeguard the operational success of an offensive approach. Coordination with the relevant forest officials and forest owners must occur before their construction. Creating firebreaks usually requires using large equipment. Forestry and agricultural machinery as well as bulldozers or military armoured recovery vehicles can be used to undertake the scarification (exposing the mineral soil layer). Firebreaks are always created in two pieces with a vegetation free scarified strip and an observation area lying behind it. The scarified strips should be so created that they are twice as wide as the expected flame length.

Special rules must be adhered to when extinguishing fires on military training areas (current or former) and on former battlefields (e.g. WWII). Fire accelerants and explosions increase a fire’s intensity. Close cooperation between the fire service and local and expert advisers like the army and forest personnel is important. Fire fighting on ammunition contaminated takes place at a safe distance or at strategically important points. In most cases these fires are fought indirectly or from the air. One waits until the fire reaches “non-dangerous” areas and then it is extinguished there. Areas contaminated with ammunition which are ablaze can not be driven over with conventional fire engines. Hence, specially protected fire engines are used in such fire fighting. Active military exercise areas have their own fire service and/or some armoured vehicles which can be deployed.

Learn more about fighting forest fires:

• Forest fire fighting crews and equipment

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