7 Factors to look up, down and around: Topography
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-Steep slopes (>50%)
-Chutes-Chimneys: provides potential for rapid rates of fire spread by
combining steep terrain with updrafts of air
-Saddles: Fire is pushed faster through these during uphill runs
-Box Canyons: All provide for rapid rates of fire spread due to the
channeling of wind and heat
-Narrow Canyons: Radiant and convective heating could increase spotting
across the canyon
Cold Front Indicators
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, A line of cumulus clouds may be seen approaching from W or NW
Large clouds of dust can precede the arrival
Winds normally shift from SE to S, to SW, and increase in velocity
Winds will be strongest and gusty as the front reaches you
3 main objectives to fight a fire
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Anchor, Flank, Pinch
Relative Humidity
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The amount of moisture in the air divided by the amount the air could hold
when saturated at the same air temperature; usually expressed in a percent.
Aspect
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The direction a slope is facing (its exposure in relation of the sun
7 Factors to look up, down and around: Fire Behavior
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-Leaning column
-Sheared column
-Well-developed column
-Changing column: behavior is usually increasing
-Trees torching: fire is beginning to transition from surface to crown
-Smoldering fire picking up: behavior is increasing, also possible that:
inversion is lifting, wind is increasing, RH is decreasing, shading has
decreased on that aspect
-Small firewhirls beginning
-Frequent spot fires
Contained
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The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has
been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can
reasonably be expected to stop the fire's spread.
Visual Indicators of a Stable Atmosphere
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Clouds in layers
Stratus type clouds
Smoke column drifts apart after limited rise
Poor visibility due to smoke or haze
Fog layers
Steady winds
, Anchor point
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An advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from which to
start constructing a fireline. Used to minimize the chance of being flanked
while line is being constructed.
Unstable Atmosphere
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An atmosphere that encourages upward motion
Vertical motions increase
Cold air over warm air represents an unstable condition
Foehn Winds
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Strong, dry winds caused by the compression of air as it flows down the lee
side of a mountain range. It is usually warm for the season
Can persist for days and frequently reaches 40-60mph
RH will drop upon onset of winds
COMBINATION OF HIGH WIND SPEEDS AND LOW RH CAN CAUSE HIGH
RATES OF FIRE SPREAD
Spot fire
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-Steep slopes (>50%)
-Chutes-Chimneys: provides potential for rapid rates of fire spread by
combining steep terrain with updrafts of air
-Saddles: Fire is pushed faster through these during uphill runs
-Box Canyons: All provide for rapid rates of fire spread due to the
channeling of wind and heat
-Narrow Canyons: Radiant and convective heating could increase spotting
across the canyon
Cold Front Indicators
Give this one a try later!
, A line of cumulus clouds may be seen approaching from W or NW
Large clouds of dust can precede the arrival
Winds normally shift from SE to S, to SW, and increase in velocity
Winds will be strongest and gusty as the front reaches you
3 main objectives to fight a fire
Give this one a try later!
Anchor, Flank, Pinch
Relative Humidity
Give this one a try later!
The amount of moisture in the air divided by the amount the air could hold
when saturated at the same air temperature; usually expressed in a percent.
Aspect
Give this one a try later!
The direction a slope is facing (its exposure in relation of the sun
7 Factors to look up, down and around: Fire Behavior
,Give this one a try later!
-Leaning column
-Sheared column
-Well-developed column
-Changing column: behavior is usually increasing
-Trees torching: fire is beginning to transition from surface to crown
-Smoldering fire picking up: behavior is increasing, also possible that:
inversion is lifting, wind is increasing, RH is decreasing, shading has
decreased on that aspect
-Small firewhirls beginning
-Frequent spot fires
Contained
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The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has
been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can
reasonably be expected to stop the fire's spread.
Visual Indicators of a Stable Atmosphere
Give this one a try later!
Clouds in layers
Stratus type clouds
Smoke column drifts apart after limited rise
Poor visibility due to smoke or haze
Fog layers
Steady winds
, Anchor point
Give this one a try later!
An advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from which to
start constructing a fireline. Used to minimize the chance of being flanked
while line is being constructed.
Unstable Atmosphere
Give this one a try later!
An atmosphere that encourages upward motion
Vertical motions increase
Cold air over warm air represents an unstable condition
Foehn Winds
Give this one a try later!
Strong, dry winds caused by the compression of air as it flows down the lee
side of a mountain range. It is usually warm for the season
Can persist for days and frequently reaches 40-60mph
RH will drop upon onset of winds
COMBINATION OF HIGH WIND SPEEDS AND LOW RH CAN CAUSE HIGH
RATES OF FIRE SPREAD
Spot fire
