Fire Breaks and Ignition Techniques

1. Fire Breaks and Ignition Techniques Belize Fire Workshop Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area Scott Simon

2. Firebreaks session objectives • Describe types of firebreaks • Describe principles of firebreak location • Describe factors in firebreak width • Describe need for accessibility • Describe hazard minimization techniques • Describe principles of burning out

3. Hard firebreaks • High environmental impact (equipment) • To mineral soil - more secure • Sometimes difficult to patrol • Potential invasive species colonization. • Rehabilitate lines where possible to preclude invasive species

4. Soft firebreaks • Low environmental impact (hand tools) • Sometimes less secure because fuel still in line • Sometimes requires additional holding - wetlining, organic, roots

5. Existing Barriers and Natural Firebreaks Roads and fields • Establish Safe Anchor Points Rivers Lakes Bluffs Principles of Firebreak Location

6. Principles of Firebreak Location • Avoid undercut lines and sharp corners • Make the line as short and straight as possible

7. Dependent on unit fuels, adjacent fuels, and hazards Rule of thumb - break width should be 2-3 times the height of the flanking fire. *Personnel With PPE Equipment Under burn conditions Firebreak width Confirm Accessibility of Firebreaks

8. Principles of Burning Out Missed one • Going to need to do the firebreak preparation work sometime. • You choose when you want to do it. • Setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel and create a black-line. • Used to strengthen existing firelines without creating new ones. • Need appropriate weather and ample time.

9. Ignition Techniques Objectives • Describe considerations important for successful ignition • Describe the use, advantages, and disadvantages of ignition techniques • Describe the use, advantages, and disadvantages of ignition methods • Describe the combination of various ignition techniques and methods to achieve fire management objectives

10. Ignition Considerations • Desired fire behavior • Topography • Wind changes through the predicted burn period • Crew safety • Firing methods • Smoke management

11. Ignition Techniques • Back fire • Strip fire • Spot fire • Flank fire • Ring fire • Head fire

12. Back Firing • Where Used: Understory Burning, Heavy Fuels, Near Control Line, Smoke Sensitive Areas. • Advantages: Low Intensity, Low Scorch, Minimal Spotting Potential, High Consumption. • Disadvantages: Slow, Poor Dispersion.

13. Strip Head Firing • Where Used: Large Units, Shrublands, Grasslands. • Advantages: Fast, Flexible, Can Adjust Intensity. • Disadvantages: Requires Access to the Unit, Fires Will Interact.

14. Spot Head Firing • Where To Use: Large Units, Units With Dispersed Fuels, Understory Burns. • Advantages: Fast, Intensity Highly Adjustable, Variable Fire Behavior. • Disadvantages: Need Access to the Unit.

15. Flank Firing • Where Used: Shrublands, Light Fuels. • Advantages: FL Between Backing and Head Fire Behavior, Easily Modified. • Disadvantages: Susceptible to Wind Shifts, Requires Experience Firing Personnel.

16. Ring Firing • Where Used: Shrublands, Grasslands, Brush Piles, Clearcuts. • Advantages:Fast, Excellent Smoke Dispersal, Very High Intensity, Good Draw. • Disadvantages: Strong Convection Column May Develop, Spotting Potential May be High.

17. Head Firing • Where Used:Large Units, Shrublands, In Communities with Light Fuels. • Advantages:Fast, Inexpensive, Good Smoke Dispersal. • Disadvantages:High Intensity, Greater Spotting Potential, Larger Volume of Smoke Generated.

18. Ignition Techniques

19. IGNITION METHODS

20. You can achieve burn objectives by selecting appropriate ignition techniques and methods Questions?