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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS
SPRINGERVILLE, AZ
FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5130 – FIRE SUPPRESSION
Supplement No.: 5100-94-3
Effective Date: April 1, 1994
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JOHN C. BEDELL
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 04/01/1994
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page of this document. The last supplement to this Title was Supplement
5100-94-2 to FSM 5100, Chapter 50.
New Document
5130
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
5130.3, 5130.3—1
5130.42, 5130.42—1
5134.2, 5134.2—1
5135.26a
2 Pages
2 Pages
2 Pages
1 Page
Digest:
Revises codes and captions to agree with text changes in FSM 5130. There are no significant
changes in text.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-94-3
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1994
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5130 – FIRE SUPPRESSION
CHAPTER 5130 - FIRE SUPPRESSION
5131 - INITIAL ACTION.
1. All fires that threaten to spread onto lands of other ownership will be promptly
controlled.
2. All fires that threaten life, property, improvements and excessive resource loss, will be
promptly controlled.
3. Guidelines by Fire Management Area.
A. Area #1 - Commercial Forest land (Pine, MC, Spruce, Aspen, and associated
grasslands).
(1) Promptly control and mop up all high intensity fires (fireline intensity >100
BTU/sec./ft., or flame lengths >3.5 ft.).
(2) Economically confine or contain low intensity fires (fireline intensity <100
BTU/sec./ft., or flame lengths <3.5 ft.).
B. Area #2 - Pinyon-Juniper and associated grasslands.
(1) Control or contain all high intensity fires (fireline intensity >200 BTU/sec./ft., or
flame lengths > 4.5 ft.).
(2) Economically confine or control low intensity fires (fireline intensity <200
BTU/sec./ft., or flame lengths <4.5 ft.).
C. Area #3 - (Corresponds to the "F" fuel model on the Clifton R.D.).
(1) Control or contain all high intensity fires (fireline intensity >75 BTU/sec./ft., or
flame lengths >3 ft.).
(2) Economically confine or contain low intensity fires (fireline intensity <75
BTU/sec./ft., or flame lengths <3 ft.).
5132 - ESCAPED FIRES.
1. Use of Forest Team. District Rangers will mobilize the Forest Fire-Team under the
following conditions:
A. A District fire escapes initial attack and it is unlikely that control will be achieved
during the first burning period.
B. Life or substantial property values are threatened by the expected initial spread of the
fire.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-94-3
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1994
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5130 – FIRE SUPPRESSION
C. Burning conditions are critical and are expected to remain so.
2. Use of Regional Team. The Forest Supervisor or his representative and the Fire Boss
will determine when and if the Regional Team will be mobilized for a fire on the Forest.
Considerations will include:
A. Expected duration of fire.
B. Manpower and equipment availability on the Forest. (Capability of Forest to handle
other fire situations).
C. Expected duration of critical fire weather. (Based on forecasts).
D. Values and lives threatened.
E. Capability of Forest Team to handle the situation.
3. Escaped Fire Analysis. An Escaped Fire Situation Analysis (EFSA) will be completed
for each fire that escapes initial attack or exceeds prescriptions.
A. District Fires. District Rangers or their representatives and the Fire Boss will
complete the analysis.
B. Forest Team Fires. The Fire Boss, Resource Advisor, and Forest Supervisor's
representative will complete the analysis.
C. Regional Team Fires. The Fire Boss, Resource Advisor, and Forest Supervisor's
representative will complete the analysis.
4. Resource Advisor. The District Ranger of the District on which a fire is located will
serve as Resource Advisor to the Forest or Regional Fire Team.
5. Line Officer Direction to a Fire Boss. The Fire Boss will be briefed and will be
provided line direction prior to taking over the fire. Both the Forest Team and Regional Team
Fire Bosses will receive a verbal briefing from the Forest Supervisor and Resource Advisor. In
addition, the Regional Team Fire Boss will receive a written brief. Items to be included in the
briefing are as follows:
A. Safety
B. Property Values - (Fire Protection Priorities)
C. Vegetation concerns and considerations vs fire suppression strategies.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-94-3
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1994
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5130 – FIRE SUPPRESSION
D. Restrictions - (Conduct expected)
E. Accountability
F. Fire History
G. Service Center Organization
H. Public Information
I. Rehabilitation
J. Other
5136.11 - Flame Retardant Clothing.
All individuals whose primary job is fire suppression, shall wear fire protective clothing while on
duty when moderate fire danger is exceeded. During low and moderate fire danger periods,
flame retardant clothing will only be worn while actually fighting fires.
Individuals whose primary job is not fire suppression, but who are qualified, red carded, and
likely to take suppression action, will be provided fire protective clothing. They will wear the
protective clothing only when actually on a fire.
5138 - STRUCTURAL FIRES.
3. Structure and Equipment Fires. There are many different situations in the fighting of
equipment and structural fires. Each situation demands special consideration. Regardless of the
situation, under no circumstance should our employees jeopardize themselves or their fellow
employees by attempting to fight a fire that exceeds their training or the equipment available. In
addition, any action taken near a structure must be preceded by a close inspection of the area to
ensure that powerlines, gas lines, butane tanks, etc., do not endanger any employee. Action to be
taken under the various situations are:
A. Forest Service Structure Fires. Our employees shall enter such structures only if they
are adequately trained and equipped to do so. Designation of qualified individuals by the District
Ranger and approval by the Forest Supervisor is required.
B. Other Than Forest Service Structure Fires on National Forest Lands or on Other
Lands Under Protection Agreement.
(1) Action should be taken to halt the spread of fire. Direct structural fire fighting
shall not be undertaken.
(2) The Protection Agreement should define the action to be taken by the Forest
Service. Normally, the agreement specifies that the Forest Service will prevent the
spread of the fire and the Cooperator will fight the structure fire.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-94-3
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1994
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5130 – FIRE SUPPRESSION
C. Structure Fires not on National Forest Lands or Lands Under Protection Agreement.
(1) If the fire is a threat to National Forest lands, action should be taken to halt the
fires spread. Structural fire fighting shall not be undertaken.
(2) If the fire is not a threat to National Forest lands action may be taken in
accordance with FSM 1594, Assistance in Fire Emergencies. Any action taken,
however, will be to halt the spread of the fire; not direct structure firefighting.
D. Equipment Fires. If the fire is a threat to National Forest lands, action should be taken to halt
the spread of the fire. Direct action on the vehicle or equipment will not be undertaken because
of potential for an explosion and the fact that our employees are neither equipped nor trained for
such action. Some common sense must be used. If the fire has just started and the vehicle fire
extinguisher is adequate; suppress the fire. If the fire is large or building, and/or our employees
are unsure of themselves, stay away from it and halt the spread. The safety of our employees is
paramount.