WILDLAND ENGINE OPERATIONS
PART 2 - Tactics
WARDEN AND DEPUTY FOREST FIRE WARDEN
TRAINING 2008
General Recommendations
Fight fires in fuels consistent with engine
capabilities
 Use direct attack whenever possible
 Attack flank with greatest potential for
escape
 Use extreme caution during frontal assaults
 Burn out unburned fuels if necessary

Reference: FLHB Pages 79-115
General Recommendations
Recognize topography hazards
 Avoid fire path of least resistance
 Preserve area of origin
 Recognize education & experience
 Consider needs for additional or
specialized resources
 Continually assess L.C.E.S.

Arrival on Scene








Implement L.C.E.S
Size of fire/Plan of Attack
Fire environment
Location of fire head
Time of day
Values at risk
Sufficient resources?
Correct tactical decisions always provide for
safety first. Comply with Fire Orders and heed
watch-out situations.
Size-up Considerations




Reference: IRPG inside front cover
Fuels
Topography
Weather
Fire Behavior
At the Scene Size-Up

Weather
– Wind


Speed
Direction
– Temperature

Solar heating
and drying
of fuels
– Humidity
– Atmospheric
stability
LCES
Lookout(s)
Objective
Hazard
Communications
Firefighters
Escape Route(s)
Safety Zone(s)
LCES must be established & known
to ALL firefighters BEFORE needed
Fuel Groups




Grass
Shrub
Timber Litter
Logging Slash
Fuel Groups
For determining strategy and tactics you must
identify the following for each fuel group:
 Rate of spread
 Reaction to water
 Mop up time required
 Duration of heat and flame
 Best engine type utilized
 Best method of attack (indirect, direct, or
parallel)
Fuel Groups
Grass
Fuel Models 1-3

Found in most areas of the country
Fuel Group (Grass)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Has moderate to high spread and low to
moderate fireline intensity (flame length)
Reacts very quickly to water and
additives.
Doesn’t require as much mopup as in the
other three fuel groups.
Short duration of heat and flames.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack is effective.
Fuel Groups
Shrub
Fuel models 4-7
– Usually shoulder height
– Some contain natural flammable resins
Fuel Group (Shrub)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Moderate to high rate of spread.
Moderate to high fireline intensity (flame
length).
Short duration of heat and flame.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack is effective.
Fuel Groups
Timber Litter
Fuel models 8-10
– Sticks, twigs, leaves

Fuel Group (Timber)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Low to moderate rate of spread.
Low to high fireline intensity (flame length).
Water and additives effectively reduce rate of
spread.
Usually requires more mopup then the grass
and shrub fuel groups.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Direct mobile attack with engine may be
effective depending on flame length and
terrain.
Fuel Groups
Logging Slash
Fuel models 11-13
– Ranges from light
to heavy fuel
loading

Fuel Group (Logging Slash)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Low to high rate of spread.
Low to very high fireline intensity (flame
length).
Water and additives may react slowest in this
fuel group.
Requires the most mopup of the four fuel
groups.
Long duration of heat and flame.
Engine types 3-7 are most effective.
Indirect attack is most often effective due to
fuel loading.
Types of Attack



Direct
Indirect
Parallel
Fire Attack Tactics






Mobile
Stationary
Inside-Out
Tandem
Pincer
Envelopment
Correct Tactical Decisions
Always Consider Safety First!
Direct Attack ?

Constructing a fireline right on the fire
perimeter. Keep one foot (or tire) in the
black and one in the unburned area.
What are some of the advantages?
 What are some of the disadvantages?

Reference: IRPG page 9
Direct Attack Advantages
If necessary, crews can escape to safety in
burned areas.
 The fire is stopped with least spread and
minimum acreage.
 Full advantage is taken of burned out areas
along the control line.
 Need for burning out is reduced.

Direct Attack
Direct Attack Disadvantages
Personnel subject to heat, smoke and
flame.
 Control line is long and irregular and must
follow fire edge.
 Does not always take advantage of natural
fire barriers.
 Less effective against extremely fast
moving hot fires.
 Potential for reburn.

Safety Considerations





Consider the following to ensure the
safety of your assigned personnel:
Fight fire in fuels consistent with engine
capabilities.
Use direct attack when possible.
Attack flank with greatest potential for
escape.
Burn out unburned fuels after
coordinating with adjoining forces.
Safety Considerations, Continued





Use extreme caution during frontal
assaults.
Avoid fire path of least resistance and
recognize topography hazards (chimneys,
chutes, Saddles).
Preserve area of origin.
Be aware of environmental factors.
Recognize education and experience.
Pincer Attack
Direct attack around fire in opposite
directions by two or more engines
 Safest to anchor at rear of fire, flank the
fire, and cut off the head
 Identify & flag anchor point(s)
 Make sure everyone knows the anchor
point(s)

Pincer-direct attack
around a fire on opposite
flanks by two or more fire
control resources.
Tandem Fire Attack
Two engines used in a mobile attack
 First engine crew hits hot spots, second
crew totally extinguishes fire
 Very safe - one engine can help another in
times of need.

Direct attack along
a part of the fire
perimeter by two
or more fire
control resources.
Control resources
follow each other
(can leap frog)
Envelopment Tactic
Involves striking critical segments or
structures at the same time
 Different anchor points are required for
each resource
 Engines move towards each other, tying
lines together
 Attack MUST be well coordinated

Envelopment Tactic
Most complicated attack
 Trying to do as much as you can as fast as
possible
 Requires good communications &
experienced crews
 Good method for interface situations

Critical areas are attacked first,
Using the hotspotting technique,
then the engines start moving
towards each other.
Parallel Attack

Constructing a fireline parallel to, but
further from, the fire perimeter than in
direct attack.
Parallel Attack
Constructing a fireline
parallel
to, but further from, the
fire perimeter
than direct attack, due to
fire intensity.
May shorten line by cutting
across unburned
fingers. Intervening strips
of fuel are immediately
burned out.
Parallel Attack
Works well with engines in tandem
 Safer to anchor a wet line & flank the fire
instead of attacking head
 Line firing personnel must be qualified!
 Quicker than direct attack
 Reduces heat & smoke exposure
 Safety may be compromised prior to
burning out

Parallel Attack, Advantages
1.
2.
3.
May shorten line by cutting across
unburned fingers.
Shortened line reduces actual line
construction.
Personnel exposed to a reduced amount
of heat and smoke.
Parallel Attack, Disadvantages
Requires personnel experienced in burning
out.
2. Personnel do not always have access to the
black for safety.
3. Safety may be compromised prior to the
time that the unburned fuel can be burned
out.
1.
Indirect Attack

Constructing a
fireline some
distance from the fire
perimeter.
Reference: IRPG page 10
Indirect Attack
Timing and Coordination are
critical!
Firing Operations
• Make sure firing is necessary.
• Do not fire without consulting command
and obtaining approval.
• Coordinate firing operation with those
around you.
• May have to wait for favorable conditions.
• Make sure you have adequate holding
forces.
Indirect Attack, Advantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permits easier work for crew because
there is less smoke, heat and flame
contact.
May reduce length and irregularity of fire
edge and control line.
Permits crews to take advantage of
natural fire barriers.
Reduces danger of slopovers.
Hand Crews can be used to:
Construct handline
 Conduct site preparation
 Set up hose lays
 Support engine crews
 Conduct burn out operations
 Mop up and patrol
Crew Production Rates-IRPG Page 88

Indirect Attack, Disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fire can catch firefighters working in
unburned fuel..
Fire can outflank firefighters and put
crew in jeopardy.
Increased acreage burned.
Burning out can cause control problems.
Burnout operations must be well
coordinated.
Simple Hose Lay



A hose lay consisting of
consecutively coupled
lengths of hose without
laterals.
The lay is extended by
inserting additional lengths
of hose in the line between
pump and nozzle.
Can be utilized instead of
the live reel in mobile
attack.
Stationary Attack




Popular on smaller
incidents.
Utilizes progressive hose
lays for more efficient
water delivery.
Removes engine from
ability to quickly &
safely respond elsewhere
on incident.
Consider folding tanks or
natural water sources &
replace engine with a
portable pump.
Progressive Hose Lay
A hose lay in which gated wyes are
inserted in the main line at intervals.
 Lateral lines are run from wyes to the fire
edge.
 Permits continuous application of water
during extension of hose lay.
 Utilized during stationary attack when
access via engine is not available.

Progressive Hoselay
Charged lengths of hose are connected and extended from the engine. Laterals are
put in for hot spots and mop-up.
Mobile Attack
Mobility is essential for most efficient
engine operations.
 Mobile attack best when combined with
hand crews.
 Utilize simple hose lays from engine to
reduce time in re-location or
demobilization.

Mobile Attack
Fastest & most effective method
 Nozzle operator always in view of driver
 Follow up with hose & hand tools
 Requires pump & roll capability
 All-wheel drive desirable
 Short wheel base best for off-road
situations
 Two nozzles best in heavier fires

Tandem Attack
Mobile Attack
Inside-Out Tactic
Direct attack on head or flanks from the
black
 Excellent for light fuels
 Good safety for personnel
 Always have a charged line to protect the
engine
 Watch for hot material!

“Inside Out”
(Working from inside the black)
Situations Where Mobile Attack With
Engines Should Not Be Used?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Firefighter safety is jeopardized.
Poor fireline access.
Terrain is too rough to travel.
Long turnaround times to obtain water.
Frontal attacks with fast flame spread.
Attacking long flame lengths.
Fuels too dense to negotiate.
Utilize a Combination of Attacks
If the direct attack is not working, start
thinking about going parallel or indirect
attack.
Alternate Methods To Accomplish
Assigned Task
1.
2.
3.
4.
Use of hand tools.
Use of backpack pumps.
Use spare pump to work with other
engine crews to accomplish the assigned
task.
Request assistance when necessary.
Responsibilities In The Event Of
Engine Or Equipment Breakdown
1.
2.
3.
4.
Keep your supervisor informed.
Re-evaluate safety considerations.
Keep assigned personnel informed of any
changes in the tactical assignment.
Keep adjacent forces informed.
THANK YOU!
Continue your engine training
with PART 3 - Exercises
REMEMBER
SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY!