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Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the reference materials used in firing operations.
2. Describe the position responsibilities of a FIRB.
3. Describe the different types of fire spread.
4. Identify the environmental elements and fire behavior characteristics that may affect a
firing operation.
5. Identify the duties of a FIRB and other key personnel involved in a firing operation.
6. Identify the critical information to assess in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and
prescribed fire burn plan.
7. Identify the components of, and organize and deliver an operational briefing for firing
personnel including clearly measurable objectives.
8. Identify the critical factors to assess during a firing operation and the importance of and
process for conducting a test fire.
9. Identify what issues could affect a firing operation and the Go/No Go decision.
10. Describe the difference between the types of firing operations and the basic elements
of a firing plan.
11. Describe the differences between the various types of firing techniques.
12. Identify and demonstrate the ability to implement complex firing situations and modify
the firing plan safely.
13. Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply risk management techniques during a
firing operation.
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I. Firing Operations Reference Materials
A. Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide (PMS 210) with Fire Behavior
Appendix (PMS 410-2)
B. Incident Response Pocket Guide (PMS 461)
C. Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1)
D. Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)
E. Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning Procedures and Implementation Procedures
Guide (PMS 484)
II. Responsibilities of a FIRB - Supervision
A. Hand crew
B. Engine crew
C. Helicopter
D. Heavy equipment
E. Firing team
F. Faller(s)
III. Types of Fire Spread
A. Head fire
1. Definition
2. Characteristics
B. Backing fire
1. Definition
2. Characteristics
C. Flanking fire
1. Definition
2. Characteristics
IV. Environmental Elements and Fire Behavior Characteristic
A. Weather
1. Wind
2. Frontal passages
3. Thunderstorms
4. Temperature and relative humidity - Inverse relationship
5. Local weather patterns and influences
6. Atmospheric Stability
a. Stable conditions
b. Unstable conditions
B. Fuel Characteristics
1. Fuel Types
2. Size and shape
3. Horizontal continuity
4. Vertical arrangement
5. Moisture content
6. Loading
7. Chemical content
C. Topography
1. Shape of the country
2. Aspect
3. Slope
4. Elevation
D. Fire Behavior Characteristics
1. Intensity
a. Flame length
b. Flame height
c.Rate of Spread (ROS)
d. Flame zone depth
e. Torching
2. Spotting
a. Short range
b. Long range
3. Slop-over
4. Extreme fire behavior
a. Crowning
b. Fire whirls
c. Plume dominated
d. Horizontal roll vortices
5. Smoke
V. FIRB, other key personnel and their duties and responsibilities
A. FIRB
1. Reviewing the Prescribed Fire Plan
2. Assessing and monitoring the experience and capabilities of assigned personnel
3. Oversight of the firing operation
a. Briefing personnel on the objectives and ignition operations
b. Complete the test fire according to the ignition plan
c. Directing and supervising ground and/or aerial ignition operations
d. Timing the sequence, staging and transition of personnel and equipment
e. Conducting ignition operations in a safe manner according to the ignition Plan
f. Identifying impacts of ignition on the control of the fire and the desired effect
g. Coordinating ignition operations with the Holding Specialist
h. Continuously evaluating, monitoring and communicating the attainment of the objectives.
i. Practicing the five communication responsibilities
B. Firing Team composition
1. Firing Team Leader
a. Supervises the firing team
b. Reports directly to the FIRB
2. Holding Specialist
a. Manages and holds the firing operation
b. Reviews the firing plan
c. Briefs assigned personnel
d. Conducts operations in a safe manner
e. Confines fire to designated area
3. Igniter
a. Understands firing objectives
b. Evaluates fuels to be ignited
c. Ensures objectives are being met
d. Maintains communications with supervisors
e. Keep informed of weather and changing conditions
4. Holder
a. Keeps eyes on the green
b. Monitors smoke columns and wind shifts
c. Watches for falling brands
d. Detects and suppresses slop-overs/spot fires
e. Maintains communication with other holders and supervisors
5. Field Observer
a. Collects weather data
b. Records smoke column information
c. Observes fire behavior
d. Serves as a lookout
6. Safety Officer - Evaluates the firing and makes sure all safety components are being met
VI. Critical information in the IAP and Prescribed Fire Burn Plan
A. IAP
1. Maps
2. Weather information
3. Adjoining and additinoal resources
4. Special instructions
5. Hazards
6. Incident Commander (IC)/Leader's intent
7. Objectives
8. Communication plan
9. Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes and Safety Zones (LCES)
10. Firing sequence
11. Firing technique
B. The 21 elements of a Prescribed Fire Burn Plan
1. Signature page
2. Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization
3. Prescribed Fire Go/No Go Checklist
4. Complexity Analysis Summary
5. Description of prescribed fire area
6. Objectives
7. Funding
8. Prescription narrative and parameters
9. Scheduling
10. Pre-burn considerations and weather
11. Briefing
12. Organization and equipment
13. Communications
14. Public and personnel safety and medical
15. Ignition plan
16. Holding plan
17. Contingency plan
18. Wildfire declaration
19. Smoke management and air quality
20. Monitoring
21. Post-burn activities
VII. Components of and organizing and delivering a Briefing
A. Briefing components
1. Firing objectives
2. Regulating the heat and intensity
3. Pattern/techniques
4. Spacing/stagger
5. Sequence
6. Timing
7. Amount of personnel
8. Equipment
9. Safety
10. Communications
11. Areas of concern
12. Hazards
13. Resource values/values at risk
14. Trigger points/decision points
15. Weather
16. Contingency plan
B. Organizing and Delivering a Briefing - Briefing Principles
1. Provide leader's intent
2. Ensuring the firing team understands how to achieve the objectives
3. Identifying special considerations or hazards
4. Answering questions
5. Use of visual aids
6. Provide command presence
7. Be concise
VIII. Firing Operations and Techniques
A. Reconnaissance of the burn area and factors to take into consideration
B. Anchor points
C. Test Fire definition and purpose
D. Test fire process
IX. Go-No Go Checklist and Decision to Proceed
A. Go-No Go Checklist
1. Preliminary questions
2. Checklist questions
B. Other considerations
C. Decision to proceed
X. Firing Operations
A. Tying in the firing operation
B. Backfiring
C. Burning out
D. Prescribed fire
E. Firing plan elements
XI. Firing techniques
A. Strip firing
B. Dot firing
C. Flank firing
D. Ring firing
E. Chevron firing
F. Concentric firing
XII. Complex Firing situations and Modifying the Firing Plan
A. Complex firing situations
1. Saddle firing
2. Firing under adverse conditions
3. Night firing
4. Aerial ignition
B. Modifying the firing plan
1. Regulating fire
2. Situations to consider
3. Mitigation techniques
XIII. Applying Risk Management Techniques
A. Risk management defined
B. Levels of risk
C. Risk management process
1. Identifying the risk(s)
2. Mitigate the risk(s)
All Topics are covered in both the lecture and lab parts of the course.
