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Point Protection in Alaska “cabin protection”. What is point protection?. Protection of a site threatened by a fire. A site can be: A single structure A compound of structures Materials Historical/Archeological sites Allotments Antennas Pipeline Protected habitat. Structures “cabins”.
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What is point protection? • Protection of a site threatened by a fire. • A site can be: • A single structure • A compound of structures • Materials • Historical/Archeological sites • Allotments • Antennas • Pipeline • Protected habitat
Structures “cabins” • Cabin/structure protection is the most common type of point protection in Alaska. • Cabins vary greatly in scale and construction. Most cabins can be categorized somewhere between: • Maintained • Historical
Develop a plan • Protection strategy: • Plumb and defend • Plumb and run • Burn out and mop-up • Considerations: • Time • Fuels • Number of structures • Available resources • Availability of supplies • Is cabin occupied? • Triage
Plumb and defend • Pros: • Personnel on site • Spot fires • Pre-wetting • Site prep • Burnout • may /may not be necessary • Pumps/sprinklers • adjusted as needed. • After the fire has passed • equipment and personnel may be pulled from site
Plumb and defend • Cons: • Resources • committed to structure(s) for long periods of time • resupply • Fire • threaten multiple structures at same time
Plumb and run • Pros: • Minimal people • protect multiple cabins • Uses • fire is far from cabins • Several cabins and fire is close • Lack of resources to staff each cabin • No adequate safety zone
Plumb and run • Cons: • Pump/sprinklers • System may fail • Pump gas runs out before fire reaches cabin • Smoke/time considerations • resources may not return in time to start pumps • Equipment needs to be retrieved at a later date
Burn out and mop-up • Pros: • Black to secure cabin • No water needed • Great in tundra • No need to return to pull equipment • Resources on scene to deal with problems during burnout operations • Talk with FMO/ Agency Administrator before burning!!!!
Burn out and mop-up • Cons: • Fire • may never reach site • Later spotting into unburned fuels • Loss of aesthetic value • Dirty burn may not be effective • Trees falling on cabin • Possible lengthy mop-up
Cabin wrap • Not commonly used anymore • Not very effective • No need for cabin wrap if sprinklers are available • Labor intensive to install • Must be removed • Damage to structures(staples and tacking) • Require ladders for installation
Site preparation • Clear out wood and slash piles near structure. • Cut trees • bucked and stacked • limbs scattered • Thin and limb larger trees • Scatter problem dead and down( if you can’t, then sprinkler the piles) • Trench around cabin • Clear enough to accomplish the job, but remember why people have cabins in the woods!
PumpsUse the best pump for the job • Mark III – • Lots of power, • Higher fuel consumption for set up leave operations. • Generally around 15 sprinklers • Best for cabins far from H2O or high on the hill. • Multiple structures • Run time (5 gal.) approx. 3 hours • 40:1 premix • Shindaiwa/ Honda – • Low on power. • Minimal fuel consumption • Generally less than 8 sprinklers • Best for set up and leave operations near H20. • Run time( 5 gal.) approx. 8 hrs. • 40:1 premix for both 2 stroke and 4 stroke
Sprinkler kit • Sprinkler Kits contain (Alaska Fire Service) : • Shindaiwa fuel hose line 5 gal can adapter • 10 rolls / 50’ garden hose • 4 1” to ¾” reducers • 5 sprinkler heads • 5 gal. gas can(pump adapted) • 2 1” Y • 3 ¾” Y • 2 extra spark plugs • Length of “P” cord • Kit contents may vary by agency and region • One kit does not equal one cabin
Sprinkler installation • Use enough sprinklers to cover the entire structure. • Vary set up heights (example): 2 above roof line on opposite corners, 2 below roof line on the other opposite corners • Adjust sprinklers as needed: • short range mist • long range spray • Remove all kinks from 3/4” hose. • Adjust sprinkler head for desired coverage range.
Sprinkler installation cont. • Use sprinklers on any receptive fuels surrounding the cabin. • Make sure hose lays are protected from cabin to pump • Adapt Shindaiwa to run off 5 gal. gas can. • Take several pictures for the zones/land managers • If pumps are left on a river/tidal waters, move the pump and fuel above the high water mark. • Don’t forget the out buildings!
Sprinkler installation cont. Do not set sprinklers up in a series connected with 5/8” hose (as shown below) the pressure loss is too great and the last sprinkler will have little to no pressure. Sprinklers Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose 3/4” hose
Sprinkler installation cont. • Run each sprinkler off of one section of garden hose attached directly to one inch or larger hose. (see below) Gated wye Sprinkler ¾”hose Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose Pump 1 ½ “ – 1” hose 1” hose
Sprinkler installation cont. Multiple sprinklers off gated wye
Sprinkler installation cont. Tripod Pole
Sprinkler installation cont. Tripod on roof Check coverage
Sprinkler installation cont. • Cut and notch method • Saw Cuts – hose perpendicular to cut • V notch to prevent sprinkler from rotating when charged • Lash tightly
Set-up • Always test the system! • Adequate coverage • Sprinkler tripods/poles are secure and stable • Pre wet area • Note best pump throttle setting • Note run time on 5 gal. Fuel Sprinklers wetting all sides of cabin
Make a map • GPS coordinates for: • Cabin • Pumps • Pump property numbers • List of supplies on site • List of site prep. completed • Map structures especially if several structure in close area ie. around a lake • List any additional supplies needed
Additional supply needs • Extra pump fuel • Extra hose • Extra pump • Burning supplies • Water and food (very common to be smoked in for days with no resupply) • Transportation?? • Local boat rental • Zodiac via paracargo (with or without operator) • ATV rental
Extended time between set-up and use • Always test pump and hose system. • Move pump, hose, fuel and all equipment above high water line. • If freezing temperatures are possible drain pump and hose.
Cabin etiquette • Be respectful of others property • Pick up your trash • Don’t eat any stored food • Leave things as you found them • Leave a note • Remember, someone may depend on the cabin regardless of its condition.
Common watch outs • Nails in trees • Old outhouse holes • Unstable roof • Fuel/hazmat • Explosives • Bear deterrents: • Plywood and nails • Plywood and large treble hooks • Etc……..