Series: Wildland Fire - Learning In Depth

Looking to dive deeper into learning about wildland fire and how it is managed in the national parks?

• Article 1: Wildland Fire: Incident Command System

  ICS is a system designed to manage any size of wildland fire incident from beginning to end, until the requirement for management no longer exists. As a result of those fires, a need was identified to develop a system whereby different agencies could work together toward a common goal in an effective and efficient manner. Read more

• Article 2: Wildland Fire: Incident Command System Levels

  The Incident Command System (ICS) is flexible, scaling up or down as complexity changes and the needs of the incidents change. Type 5 is the least complex, while Type 1 is the most complex. The National Park Service supports and participates in interagency teams at both national and geographical area levels. Read more

• Article 3: Researching the Effects of Wildland Fire

  

  Research on the effects of fire forms an important basis of decision making for park managers. Fire has a profound influence on NPS lands, so information about the use and effect of prescribed fire on park resources is critical to scientifically based management decisions. Read more

• Article 4: National Wildfire Preparedness Levels

  National wildfire preparedness is typically described in five levels with regards to fire activity and resources committed. The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group establishes preparedness levels throughout the year to help ensure that firefighting resources are ready to respond to new incidents. Preparedness levels are dictated by burning conditions, fire activity, and especially resource availability. Read more

• Article 5: Wildland Fire Spread and Suppression

  

  There are three general patterns of fire spread: ground, surface, and crown fires. Fire is a fairly common occurrence, but very few fires become extremely large. In the United States, 2-3 percent of fires account for more than 95 percent of the total area burned annually. The blackened plots left behind by these large fires contribute to the image of fire as a destroyer. In reality, a planned prescribed burning program can provide many benefits that enhance ecosystem health. Read more

• Article 6: Wildland Fire Management Personnel

  It takes many different types of people with various skills to manage a fire. Fire crews are the backbone of the fire suppression effort. Crews are differentiated between Types 1, 2, and 3 based on experience, leadership, and availability. Other types of fire crews include interagency and NPS hotshot crews, wildland fire modules, helitack crews, smokejumpers, and engine crews. Overhead personnel provide behind the scenes support for firefighters. Read more

• Article 7: Wildland Fire: Fireline Construction

  

  Fireline is a break in fuel, made by cutting, scraping, or digging with a bulldozer or hand tools. All fuels are removed and the surface is scraped to mineral soil on a strip 6 inches to 3 feet wide, depending upon the fuel and slope. Often a break in the weather allows workers to encircle and contain the fire. Then the hard, dirty work of mop up begins to bring the fire under control. Firefighting resources are released (demobilized) as they are no longer needed. Read more

• Article 8: Wildland Fire Engines

  

  Wildland fire engines can be large or small depending on the operational needs. They are used to support wildfire response efforts as well as prescribed fire operations. Read more

• Article 9: Learning about Fire Ecology Basics

  

  Fire ecology concepts include the fire dependence of some ecosystems; fire history, or how often fires occur in a given area; and fire regime, the different roles fire plays in different ecosystems. Read more

• Article 10: Wildland Fire and Ecosystems

  Some ecosystems have adapted over time to wildland fire. How does wildland fire interact with different forests, woodlands, and grasslands? Read more

• Article 11: Wildland Fire Behavior

  

  Fire is influenced by many factors. When more moisture is present, fire threat is reduced. A fuel’s composition determines its flammability. Weather conditions also contribute to fire behavior. Fires are classified as either natural or human-caused. A wildfire is usually started by lightning, lava, or people. A prescribed fire is ignited by humans under predetermined conditions and is carefully monitored. Prescribed fires help manage certain types of landscapes. Read more

• Article 12: Wildland Fire: Cultural Interpretations of Fire and Human Use

  

  Fire has been a benevolent, mystical, and religious symbol throughout the world. Fire was associated with rebirth in mythology, and is now recognized as an instrument of change for healthy ecosystems. American Indians have always had a great respect for fire. Historically, many American Indians used fire to shape their environment and improve hunting. The cumulative effects of the thousand years of burning had profound impacts on the landscape that European settlers found. Read more

• Article 13: Wildland Fire: Weather Watches & Warnings

  A Fire Weather Watch is issued when the potential for severe fire weather exists within 12-24 hours. A watch is used when there is a relatively low probability of occurrence. A Red Flag Warning is issued to indicate a relatively high probability of severe fire weather within 12 hours. The fire danger is usually high to extreme for both the watch and warming. A Red Flag Warning may or may not be preceded by a Fire Weather Watch. Read more