LINCOLNSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE
RURAL
FIREFIGHTING
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COMPETENCE STATEMENTS:
CS416 – Heath & Woodland Fires
CS396 – Flexible Backpack Extinguisher
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AIM
To give operational crews an understanding of the
hazards, risks and operational procedures associated
with controlling rural fires, in particular
“Heath and Woodland fires”
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OBJECTIVES
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List and explain the different rural fires and their hazards
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Describe the methods to protect personnel, equipment
and appliances from heat, fire and smoke spread
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Define the term “Crown Fire”
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Recall other types of rural fires and the need to consider
local fire plans
Identify the hazards, risks and control measures when
extinguishing the three different types of heath and
woodland fire
Identify some other possible resources, farm equipment
or farm systems that could assist with, and control, the
fire spread
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RURAL FIRES - CLASSIFICATIONS
Classifications
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Smouldering
Creeping
Running
Torching
Spotting
Crowning
Blow-Up
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RURAL FIRES - HAZARDS
Hazards
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Terrain
Weather conditions
Smoke
Fatigue
Lone working
Manual handling
Overhead power lines
Rapid fire spread
Difficult access
Night working
Manoeuvring off road
Surrounded by fire
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HEATH AND GRASS FIRES
There are three types of heath and
grass fire:
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Heath and Grass fires in
non-peaty soil
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Heath and Grass fires in
peaty soil
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Gorse, Bracken and
undergrowth fires
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1) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES
IN NON-PEATY SOIL
Characteristics
• The fire only travels through surface
growth
Risks:
• Personnel becoming isolated
• Lack of water supplies
Extinguishing Methods:
• To extinguish use beaters or water
• Consider the ‘Flexible Backpack
Extinguisher’
• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier
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2) HEATH AND GRASS FIRES
IN PEATY SOIL
Characteristics
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Fires travel underground as well as
above ground
• Fire travelling underground is almost
invisible
Risks:
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Injury to personnel due to soft ground
Limited access for vehicles & by foot – fatigue, stress
Extinguishing Methods:
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Surface fires are extinguished as per non-peaty soil mentioned
previously
Consider use of HVP & Water carrier
Underground fires can be extinguished either by:
i) Trenching ii) Water Jets
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3) GORSE, BRACKEN AND
UNDERGROWTH FIRES
Characteristics
• Generally more dense
and wider covering
Risks:
• Personnel & public near by
• Carrying equipment over rough terrain
Extinguishing Methods:
• Fire Breaks
• High pressure hose reel jets
• Wetting a fire break
• Consider use of HVP & Water carrier
• Beaters – limited use
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WOODLAND FIRES
Characteristics:
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Numerous sizes and types of trees
Sparks can travel long distances causing
secondary fires
Change of wind directions
Underground fires
Crown Fires
Extinguish by:
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Create fire breaks
Beating – limited use
Use of water – jets and hosereels
Consider use of HVP & Water carrier
Crown Fires: This is a term used when the fire spreads from one
tree to the next, high up in the tree canopy. It causes problems with
the fire spreading over the top of firefighters and it’s extremely difficult
to extinguish.
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WHEN ATTENDING INCIDENTS
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Liaise with Forestry Commission Officers
Refer to the fire plan (if available)
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Consider RVP’s, access, water supplies ( early make
ups )
Decide on the action to be taken
Ensure all personnel have correct PPE and manual
handling techniques
Monitor crew welfare / hydration ( reliefs )
Monitor fire spread
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Monitor water supplies
Monitor environmental conditions
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PPE & MANUAL HANDLING
CONSIDERATIONS
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Full PPE (inc goggles, gloves, BA if required)
Carrying equipment over rough terrain
Creating Fire Breaks
Beating
Making up large quantities of hose & equipment
Crew welfare / hydration (Safety Flash: 07/06)
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FIRE SPREAD & ACCESS
Speed of fire spread due to:
Environmental conditions –
• Weather, temperature, wind direction (speed
and strength)
• Type (FUEL) & size of vegetation area
Access for appliances & personnel:
• Limited with large open areas of
vegetation
• Terrains vary - steep hillsides to soft
boggy areas
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HAZARDS OF FIRE SPREAD
Loss of appliances
Property involved
Firefighters surrounded by fire
Loss of water supplies
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OVERHEAD POWER LINES
SOP 13, Risk Card 29
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HAZARDS OF SMOKE SPREAD
Concealed
hazards
Disorientation
Isolation of
personnel
Smoke
affecting
nearby
public roads
Smoke
Inhalation
Reduced
visibility
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NON SERVICE EQUIPMENT &
PERSONNEL
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Agricultural vehicles
• Earth moving vehicles
( Above must be trained operators )
• Volunteers – supervise!
Considerations:
• Suitability of the equipment
• Lack of competence of the operators
• Lack of experience of emergency
situations
• Lack of effective command and
control systems
• Service personnel and members of
the public close by
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OTHER TYPES OF RURAL FIRES
WITHIN LINCOLNSHIRE
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Standing crop fires
Stubble fires
Haystacks
Agricultural buildings and machinery/Vehicle fires
Railway embankments
Hedges/Hedgerows
Landfill fires
Woods e.g. , Bourne, Laughton, Stapleford
This list is not exhaustive
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RISK CARD 47
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REFERENCES
Crews should familiarise themselves with the
following:
• Risk card 47 - Rural Fires
• Risk card 29 - Electricity
• NOS Unit FF4.1 / FF4.2
• SOP 13 - Rural Areas
• F202 / F202A
• TB 1/97 – Breathing Apparatus
• Op Tac note 9 – Water Supply
• Op Tech note 70 – PPE
• Safety Flash 07/06
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SUMMARY
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The different types of rural fires and their characteristics
Identified the hazards, risks and control measures when
extinguishing the three different types of heath and
woodland fire
The methods to protect personnel, equipment and
appliances from heat, fire and smoke spread
•
•
The term “Crown Fire”
•
Recalled other types of rural fires and the need to
consider local fire plans
Identified other resources, farm equipment and farm
systems that could assist with, and control, the fire
spread
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ANY
QUESTIONS?
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