WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS- v01.6

WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS

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General learning outcome:

SPECIFIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR:

Specific learning outcome:

Deep flaming may produce an extreme fire event.

Topic:

The consequences of deep flaming.

Operational Awareness for Advanced Firefighters & Fire Behaviour Analysts


Deep flaming is a sign of serious fire behaviour. Should it happen, then all aspects of fire suppression will become more difficult, increasing the need to revise incident strategies. Crew safety also becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee.
In the worst case an extreme, or plume-driven, fire will result. Should this happen the fire will stop responding to surface weather, fuel loads or terrain. Instead middle level winds will drive it for as long as the terrain stays rugged and the atmospheric instability supports mixing down of dry air from aloft.
Deep flaming may well be detected by operations resources, but it must be reported immediately. The likelihood of an extreme fire forming would trigger consideration of a Red Flag Warning (Conditions conducive to plume-driven fire). The IAP would also need review, especially for the safety of crews in affected sectors.
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This website is dedicated to bringing forward the latest research findings. They are provided to allow firefighters to be made aware of critical safety issues ahead of the material being included in the national training curriculum.
Material prepared by Rick McRae for AFAC Research Dissemination Pilot Study, March 2012.