Fire Thought For The day 004
Site Indicators
The father of fire intensity George Byram identified blow up conditions on wildland fire a long time ago. Atmospheric Stability is the ability to resist vertical movement of air up wards. An unstable atmosphere is conducive to blow up conditions on a fire. Very bad things can happen on a day that seems to present no apparent signs of impending danger. Lets learn to look a bit closer and then reevaluate the day’s conditions.
- Fair weather clouds, Cumulus, the puffy cotton ball like clouds, are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- Gusty winds are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- Dust devils are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- A very clear sky without any presence of cloud is an indicator of an unstable atmosphere.
Thunderstorms can also present danger on a fire. They cause, of course, lightning. They also cause down draft and up draft winds, micro-bursts of wind. Remember that lightning can reach as far away from the main cloud as far as 15 to 17 kilometers, a shot out of the blue.
If you see towering Cumulus clouds, they indicate CB’s or thunderstorms are likely later on in the day. Cumulus clouds period are indicators of the likely hood of thunderstorms later in the day.
Very high towering smoke columns are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
Once on the fire if you see fire whirls, heads up. If you see spotting across the control line early in the morning look for control problems later in the day. If you see individual torching or candling of single trees or small groups of trees early in the morning, this indicates very serious control problems latter in the day. These are speak up signals, make your supervisors aware of what you see.
Learn to think ahead. We are all very good at reacting. However, we need to get more proactive. Ask your self where am I and my crew now, and what is the fire doing, where will we all be in five minutes, two hours, 6 hours etc. and what will the fire be doing. Learn to look at everything around you and what it is telling you. Assess and reassess your situation constantly.
I have developed what I call Tex’s systematic rule of ten. It is a system for assessing your situation on a wildland fire. If you would like a copy I will gladly send it to you. Remember, like all things my rule of ten has its limitations. It is provided as an aid to assess firefighter danger levels. It is not meant to replace sound judgment or common sense.
Until next time, Stay Safe! Tex
Site Indicators
The father of fire intensity George Byram identified blow up conditions on wildland fire a long time ago. Atmospheric Stability is the ability to resist vertical movement of air up wards. An unstable atmosphere is conducive to blow up conditions on a fire. Very bad things can happen on a day that seems to present no apparent signs of impending danger. Lets learn to look a bit closer and then reevaluate the day’s conditions.
- Fair weather clouds, Cumulus, the puffy cotton ball like clouds, are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- Gusty winds are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- Dust devils are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
- A very clear sky without any presence of cloud is an indicator of an unstable atmosphere.
Thunderstorms can also present danger on a fire. They cause, of course, lightning. They also cause down draft and up draft winds, micro-bursts of wind. Remember that lightning can reach as far away from the main cloud as far as 15 to 17 kilometers, a shot out of the blue.
If you see towering Cumulus clouds, they indicate CB’s or thunderstorms are likely later on in the day. Cumulus clouds period are indicators of the likely hood of thunderstorms later in the day.
Very high towering smoke columns are indicators of an unstable atmosphere.
Once on the fire if you see fire whirls, heads up. If you see spotting across the control line early in the morning look for control problems later in the day. If you see individual torching or candling of single trees or small groups of trees early in the morning, this indicates very serious control problems latter in the day. These are speak up signals, make your supervisors aware of what you see.
Learn to think ahead. We are all very good at reacting. However, we need to get more proactive. Ask your self where am I and my crew now, and what is the fire doing, where will we all be in five minutes, two hours, 6 hours etc. and what will the fire be doing. Learn to look at everything around you and what it is telling you. Assess and reassess your situation constantly.
I have developed what I call Tex’s systematic rule of ten. It is a system for assessing your situation on a wildland fire. If you would like a copy I will gladly send it to you. Remember, like all things my rule of ten has its limitations. It is provided as an aid to assess firefighter danger levels. It is not meant to replace sound judgment or common sense.
Until next time, Stay Safe! Tex
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