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~~nited States W;epartment of Agriculture Fire Forest Service Management

Volume 46, No.1 1985 Notes

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United States Fire Department of Agriculture Forest Service Management 'u~s i,-..~J. Notes Volume 46, No. An inrernorionol quorrerly periodical devared ra 1985 forest fire monogement

Fire ManiJgement Notes is published by the Forest Service at the uoneo States Contents Department of Agriculture, W;:"shinglon, D.C. The Secretary or Agriculture nas determined Ihat lhe publication of this periodical is necessary in Ihe transac­ 3 Where There's Smoke, There's Aerial Firefighting tion of the public business required by law of this Oepanment. Use of funds for Rita Cipalla printing this periodical has been ap­ proved by tbe Director of the Office of Management and Budget through 6 Getting a Handle on the Pulaski Rehandling Problem September 30.1984 Arnold Hartigan SUL-scriplions may be oblained from the Superintendent of Documents, U,S. Government Printing Office, 7 Field Exercises For Ground Cover Fires: Disaster Washington. D.C, 20402 Management in Action NOTE-The use 01 trade, firm, or cor­ Murry Fly and Bill Terry poration names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the_ reader, Such use does not constitute a 10 Fire Safety Is a Fulltime Job official endorsement ot any product or I service by the U.S, Department of Thomas Fulk Agriculture.

Disclaimer: Individual authors are responsi­ 12 The California Mini-Kitchen ble lor the tecnmcat accuracy 01 the material Roy Pike, Mike Minton, and Ben Beall presented in Fire Management Notes

Send suggestions and articles to Chief, 16 Incendiary Wildfires Forest Service (AUn: Fire Management Notes), P.O. Box 2417. U.S. Department Robert Kraske 01 Agriculture, wasnmqron. DC 2OG13.

John R. Block, Secretary 19 History-Making Parachute Jump U.S. Department of Agriculture

Clay Morgan and Dale Matlack R, Max Peterson, Chief Forest Service 25 NIIMS and State Forestry Organizations L.A Amicarella, Director H.N. Miller and Marvin E. Newell Cooperative Fire Protection

Francis R, Russ. 27 Recent Fire Publications General Manager

29 Author Index 1984

30 Subject Index 1984

Cover: Lt, Ctifford Allen of Ctucagc. IL, one of the 'l11okcjul11ping offlccrv of the Fin.' 5551h Parachute lnf anuy Bnnalion. ready for lakcort-Augu'l 29. 1945. Sec 'lory on page 19.

2 Fire Management Notes ~here There's Smoke, There's Aerial Aerial Firefighting Display ....irefighting 1 The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, will have a display entitled "Aerial Firefighting" through December Rita Cipalla 1985. The display highlights the use of tactics such as smokejump­ Public Affairs Officer, Smithsonian Institution, ing and the dropping of retardants National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. to suppress wildfires.•

Few sights are more awesome National Air and Space Museum in flammable debris, usually by bull­ and terrifying than a raging forest Washington, DC. Cochrane, cura­ dozer or by hand-might be built fire. Majestic oaks, verdant pines, tor of an exhibit on aerial fire­ around the edge of the blaze to and fragrant cedars suddenly ex­ fighting that opened in December rob it of its fuel, or the fire might plode into balls of flame. Strong 1984, explains: "They can discover be controlled by dropping water or winds carry oppressive heat and the fire, determine which way it is fire-retardant chemicals on it. choking, acrid smoke. The roar of headed and how quickly it is mov­ Once a fire has been sighted, the fire, the crashing of trees, and ing. They can report the best often from a lookout tower or the snapping and crackling of access routes to the fires and then patrol plane, a complex corps of burning underbrush overwhelm the ferry in people and equipment." people and equipment is mobilized senses. within a matter of minutes. Above the inferno, another The Firefighting Team An experienced forest official, und is heard, faintly at first, known as the fire boss, coordinates Whether all land or in the air, _ en growing louder. It is the the firefighting team and equip­ the men and women who risk their sistent chopping of helicopter ment via two-way radio. Crews are lives to put out wildfires are part blades cutting through the air. assembled, equipped, and trans­ of a team trained and employed by Slowly the hovering craft descends ported; topnotch leadership is the Forest Service to manage and onto a cleared area. The copter provided, and close cornmunica­ preserve the national forests. The doors swing open to reveal a team tions are maintained. A breakdown Forest Service, an agency of the of men and women dressed to in the system can mean the loss of Department of Agriculture, man­ wage hattie. Their enemy: the lives and valuable timber, range, ages nearly 200 million acres of forest fire. and homes. land nationwide, including 167 This dramatic scene is repeated When dense forest or impassable national forests in 38 States and many times a year across the coun­ terrain make conventional means Puerto Rico. Forest fire prevention try. As the fire season moves north of fire detection and transportation and control programs on non­ and west -beginning with the impossible, the fire boss turns to Federal lands are organized and Southeastern States in April and the air. administered by each State, with ending with southern California in some Federal funding. December-most of the people and Use of Aircraft Forest fires vary in intensity, equipment needed to combat the from the more common surface Aircraft were first used by the fire move with it. fires that burn leaves and debris on Forest Service in 1919, when Army Although the real task of fire­ the forest floor to roaring crown Air Service Maj. Henry H. "Hap" fighting takes place on the ground, fires that spread from treetop to Arnold and Regional Forester help from the sky is often crucial. treetop. Coert de Bois agreed to use Army "Aircraft are used in numerous Because oxygen, high tempera­ Air Service pilots and aircraft to ways to fight wildfires," says tures, and fuel (such as leaves and fly Forest Service observers on fire Dorothy Cochrane, a museum debris) must all be present for a detection missions. The experiment specialist in the Aeronautics De- fire to burn, firefighting is aimed began on June I, 1919, using six _rtment at the Smithsonian's at breaking this triangle. A fire Curtiss IN-4D aircraft flying two

I Reprinted from a Smithsonian News line-a strip of land of varying patrols a day over the Cleveland Service press release. width that has been cleared of National Forest from March Field,

Volume 46, Number 1 3 ,,,---- ment of Agriculture contracted - ) with private firms to provide flying services. That policy is still in effect. Today the Forest Service main­ tains a fleet of about 35 aircraft, mostly Beechcraft Barons, light, twin-engine planes. More than 100 air tankers, helicopters, and srnokejumper aircraft are con­ ! tracted seasonally. In addition, about 400 small aircraft, called thee Mosquito Fleet, are used for re­ connaissance and to transport per 1 sonnel, equipment, and supplies. Tankers drop water and fire­ retardant chemicals from the air onto or ahead of forest fires. The aircraft vary in size, ranging from small planes that carry 400 gallons of retardant to larger aircraft that can discharge 3,000 gallons of chemicals, such as the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed C-130. Lead planes guide the heavy tankers to the drop areas, where the chemi­ cals, viscous diammonium phos­ phate and ammonium sulfate or other retardants, are released. In 1974, Mary Barr became the first woman hired by the Forest Service to pilot a lead plane. Her territory was the North Zone Air Unit in Redding, CA. Barr, a pilot Rappellers descend from a hovering helicopter into mountainous terrain. one way of with more than 12,000 hours flying delivering personnel and equipment to fight fires in otherwise inaccessible areas. time, is currently the Forest Ser­ vice's National Aviation Safety CA. Information about the fire, Lack of funds forced the cancel­ Officer. She vividly recalls those. designated for the ground crews lation of the aerial fire patrols in adventuresome days when she fle below, was dropped in tin cans or 1923. Eventually funding was re­ as lead plane pilot. tied to the legs of carrier pigeons. stored, and in 1928 the Depart-

4 Fire Management Notes "I flew ahead of the air tankers "During a fire, smokejumpers project the rate of spread of a to determine where the air turbu­ are airlifted into areas that can't fire... lence was, where the fire was lo­ be reached with pickup trucks or Some aircraft are fitted with cated, and where it was best to helicopters," Mary Barr says. infrared cameras that scan and drop the load," she remembers. "The jumpers are dropped out on map the behavior and pattern of "It was-and 1s-a hazardous job, static lines, two at a time. Special fires, looking for hot spots. One for I was often flying through protective gear is used, since the such camera, the Forward Looking heavy smoke over steep terrain. jumpers are dropping straight Infra-Red, can actually trace the Under certain conditions, the fire down through timber, often land­ line of fire. Viewing a fire through moves at speeds up to 40 miles per ing in heavy brush or on the smoke or at night by use of an hour-more quickly than the rocks. " infrared camera provides the ob­ equipment and chemicals can be "About 75 percent of the smoke­ server with vital information on the Aransported.' , jumpers employed by the Forest fire's location and characteristics. • Helicopters are also a successful Service are summer employees," Because about half of the fires though expensive firefighting tool. according to Dorothy Cochrane. in the national forests are caused They are used to patrol the forests "For the most part, they're young by lightning, an automatic light­ on the lookout for fires and to and in extremely good shape. They ning detection system is also now drop water and chemica! retardants come from all walks of life­ being used in Alaska and the West. once a fire has broken out. writers, film producers. students, This device can instantly pinpoint teachers." In 1981, the first lightning strikes and monitor storm Smokejumping woman to qualify as a smoke­ patterns within a range of 400 miles jumper, Deanne Shulman, joined and from 70 reporting weather Perhaps the most dramatic the prestigious ranks of smoke­ stations. method of firefighting is smoke­ jumpers. Shulman, a young Forty years ago, the Forest Ser­ jumping-the delivery of fire­ woman based at McCall, Idaho, vice launched a public awareness fighters and equipment to wilder­ had 6 years of experience as a fire­ program using a stern but kindly ness and backcountry areas by fighter before trying out for bear called Smokey. Since that parachute. The main smokejumper smokejumper duty. time, Smokey has warned millions aircraft is the deHavilland DHC-6 of campers, "Only you can pre­ Twin Otter. which can carry as Electronic Equipment vent forest fires." His warning has many as 10 jumpers. Smoke­ paid off; the number of forest fires jumpers receive 3 weeks of inten­ Today the Forest Service relies caused by human negligence has sive training in firefighting tactics, increasingly on technology to fight been reduced substantially. physical fitness, and the use of forest fires. "Electronic equipment Although the threat of a large aerial delivery equipment. In addi­ is playing a greater role in the wildfire is always present, it's reas­ tion to fighting fires, they are detection and suppression of forest suring to know that Smokey Bear sometimes called on for rescue fires," Cochrane says. "The Forest and the millions of Americans who missions-if a plane crashes in a Service feeds certain data into a enjoy the beauty of the national '-emote area, for example. or if a computer-such as the type of ter­ forests can depend on help from w:ellow smokejurnper is injured in a rain, weather conditions. and for­ above.• fall. mer fires in the area-in order to

Volume 46, Number 1 5 Getting a Handle on the Pulaski Rehandling Problem

Arnold F. Hartigan

Public Affairs Officer, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Boise Interagency Fire Center, Boise, /D.

at one end that holds the pulaski while the broken handle is pushed out by a ram. The head is then placed in a fixture at the other end of the machine, and a new handle and wedge are simultaneously pressed in by the press, using a working pressure of 2 to 6 tons. In this system, no epoxy is required for the handle. A bandsaw attached to the end of the machine is used to trim excess handle and wedge. The tool is now ready for .. repairing, sharpening, and deliver~ to the field. Not only does the pulaski rehan­ dling machine offer a more effi­ cient means of repairing a basic tool, it provides a better. more stable repair as well. But the best The pulaski rehandling machine saves lime and money and also provides a more stable repair. part of this new system is that it saves time and money. The 13.5­ minute rehandling job has been cut The pulaski is a simple tool, but applied, and then a wedge is ham­ to 2.5 minutes by using the ma­ even the simplest of tools need mered in from the top of the tool chine. During its first year of use, maintenance and repairs. When head. The entire process of rehan­ the machine saved 52I hours of the handle of a pulaski becomes dling by hand takes 13.5 minutes. labor at an average salary cost of cracked or broken. you don't dis­ Bill Wothe and Carl Dorsey $8.66 an hour. At that rate, more card the tool; you replace the work for the Equipment Main­ than $4,500 was saved in the first handle, resharpen the cutting edges tenance Section of the Supply year of use in salary costs alone. on the head, and repeat this pro­ Branch of The Bureau of Land The pulaski rehandling machine cess for the useful life of the tool. Management's Management Ser­ has been adapted to dehandle and Because it is the basic firefight­ vices Division at the Boise Inter­ rehandle several other types of ing tool, the pulaski is used by the agency Fire Center. They and their axes, including the double-bitted thousands. It follows that thou­ crew decided there had to be a cruiser ax and the felling ax. An sands regularly require rehandling. faster, easier way to rehandle the additional two fixtures are planned By use of the standard method, the thousands of pulaskis that come for the machine to permit the handle of the pulaski is cut off, through their shop every year. rehandling of Boy's axes and Single-_ and the remainder is pressed out. Their solution was to adapt a bit axes as well, to achieve the ( A new handle is driven in the 25-ton electric hydraulic press to broadest use and greatest economy underside of the head, epoxy is do the job. The press has a fixture possible. II

6 Fire Management Notes Field Exercises For Ground Cover _ Fires: Disaster Management in Action

Murry Fly and Bill Terry

Head, Operations Section, and Head, Training Section, Fire Control Department, Texas Forest Service, College Station, TX,

Even with the complex equip­ control impossible, and a lack of tional method to be used when ment we have to simulate problems communications put these men out disasters such as the February 1984 and disasters, nothing can take the of touch with their chiefs and in fires arise. place of a practical field exercise. harm's way. Such an exercise was conducted by Through both Federal and State Request and Sizeup the Texas Forest Service in August legislation, the Texas Forest Ser­ The Fredericksburg exercise was 1984, in Fredericksburg, TX, for vice was given specific responsi­ executed by use of the three main firefighters of Gillespie, Kendall, bility to provide rural fire protec­ steps in the Large Fire Plan. Blanco, and Burnett Counties. tion plans, training, and equipment The first step is to "request and to organized firefighting groups in size up." For the purpose of the Purpose of Exercise the State. Since 1973, programs exercise, the IO-member Overhead have been underway, but it was The purpose of the exercise was to Fire Team was called to the Fred­ not until 1981 that the Large Fire Atrain both the Texas Forest Service ericksburg Fire Department by the Organization, tailored for rural _Overhead Fire Team and volunteer Gillespie County E.G.C. officer. communities in Texas, began to firemen in the use of the new Large This was done through a direct take shape. It provides for a team Fire Organization concept devel­ request from the county judge. that is trained and equipped to oped by the Texas Forest Service. The Overhead Team was briefed organize the personnel, materials, Although many management 100ls on the fire: how much area was and communications and an opera- have been developed by State and Federal agencies to deal with large ground cover fires, it was believed a special program was needed in Texas. This program would have " to deal with fires burning in areas of ever-increasing development and at the same time be manageable enough for use even on small-scale fires on areas of 1,000 acres or less. Texas, unlike California or Montana, is not noted for its large fires, but ground cover fires can be just as destructive, as the cumula­ tive effects of many smaller fires take their toll over time. In 1984, ground cover fires destroyed more than 30 homes and killed 4 fire- fighters. Two firemen died on a _ fire west of Fort Worth, TX, the first weekend of February. Winds Mobile Command Post set up to establish communications and coordinate movement of of 50 to 60 miles per hour made supplies and personnel.

Volume 46, Number 1 7 burned, expected changes in condi­ between now and 1987. With cur­ When the exercise had ended tions, who was in command, and rent equipment on board and a both the firemen and the Overhead which departments were at the fire collapsible 50-foot mast, the com­ Fire Team felt new areas of under­ site. mand post can transmit as far as standing had been gained. 200 miles and can be used as a "We feel like the Texas Forest Communications base of operation for any type of Service and the Large Fire Organi­ With this information, the team disaster. zation are not just a name or a moved to the second step in the phone number," said Danny exercise, establishing communica­ Plan Coordination Smith, chief of the Turtle Creek tions with all groups on the fire Volunteer Fire Department. "Now Third and final step in the exer­ and setting up a command post. we have a place to turn to and cise was the coordination of plans After setting up a command post, someone to call when we really with the volunteer fire chief in the team coordinated the move­ need help." command. The Overhead Fire ment of all supplies, personnel, Team worked closely with Chief The fire chief from the Harper - and information in accordance Volunteer Fire Department said .. Howard Sibles of the Harper Vol­ with a "plan for control" that "Cooperation with local depart: unteer Fire Department. Through they developed. ments and asking for input will this consultation, a "plan of The communications step is Increase cooperation and under- attack" was established and facilitated by the use of a mobile standing statewide. As long as the needed equipment and personnel command post designed by the local people have input into the requested. Texas Forest Service. The com­ plan, they will cooperate. n The mock fire required I0 de­ mand post is an air-conditioned Unlike many plans that are drawn partments and more than 25 pieces trailer equipped with program­ up on paper and never put into of equipment, a National Guard mable high-band transmitters, action, the Large Fire Organization unit to coordinate evacuation of high-band scanners, low-band has been actually used three times homes in the vicinity, and several radios, and all Texas Forest this year-in Comal County, Kerr pieces of heavy equipment with Service radio frequencies. Of County, and Bastrop County. which to construct firebreaks. The course, the command post is Field exercises similar to the one in equipment was simulated in most equipped with the statewide mutual Gillespie County help to reinforce cases, but the people were actually aid frequency and has a supply of and strengthen the concept of assigned jobs and expected to carry hand talkies in the event that some coordination. them out. department or agency assigned to The Texas Forest Service begins Along with the Overhead Fire the fire has no other means of conducting advanced ground fire Team, a plans officer collected communicating. classes for volunteer firemen in information from the commanding This mobile command post is a January 1985. The purpose of this fire chief and assisted the fire boss sort of "anchor booth," a place training will be not only to train chief member of the Overhead Fir~ from which to coordinate conver­ people in Large Fire Organization Team, in formulating a control sations on different radio frequen­ but also to select and train volun- plan. Also, a service officer se­ cies. The Texas Forest Service has teer firemen as Overhead Fire '•. cured supplies as requested from plans to put between five and eight Team members. of these command posts in service the fireline crews.

8 Fire Management Notes "We feel that training the local Introduction To Wildfire The subjects-covered includethe ~ firefighters in the use of the Large Prevention wildfire problem, the three E's ' Fire Organization will not only (educating, engineering, enforce­ make our job easier, but it will The Wildfire Prevention Working Team of the National ment), the difference between place overhead 'teams all over the hazard and risk, and specific State to move into action at a Wildfire Coordinating Group has announced that the first prevention prevention actions. The instruction moment's notice," says Pat Ebarb. is conducted using tape programs, head of the Texas Forest Service course (P-course) is now available. "Introduction to Wildfire Preven­ workbooks, and discussion. Fire Control Department in "Introduction to Wildfire Lufkin. tion" is available through the National Audiovisual Center. Prevention" can be ordered "Through exercises and mock through: 'war games' like the one in . The course is designed to intro- :duce fire prevention personnel and National Audiovisual Center A'illespie County, we are working Order Section I others to the area of fire preven­ ~ sharpen the ground fire control tion. In the training of fire preven­ Washington, DC 20409 skills of every volunteer depart­ Phone: (301) 763-1891 : I tion personnel it is used as an ment in the State. The result will There are two different packages' be quicker and safer control of introduction to future P-courses. In the training of non-fire preven­ available. The A-II-730 package i wildfires." • costs $160 and contains slides : tion personnel, such as clerks and a~ mechanics, it provides a good basic audiotapes, overheads, and understanding of fire prevention. instructor's guide. The A-I 1-713 package costs $55 and contains 10 ,workb()oks and_ II _certificates._.. .•_.- _.,

Volume 46, Number 1 9 Fire Safety Is A Full-Time Job

Thomas Fulk

Assistant Director, A via/ion and Fire Management, USDA Forest Service, San Francisco, CA.

On June 29, 1984, Donald V. tern fires is close to $24 million per Chain Saw Sales in the United Marchese, President, McCulloch year for all forest land. States Corporation, and R. Max Peter­ Chain saw sales increased signifi­ son, Chief, USDA Forest Service, cantly in the 1970's, as shown in Number of signed an agreement for a 3-year the accompanying table. The num­ Year Saws Sold national chain saw fire prevention ber of chain saws sold in 1980 was 1970 632,600 program. McCulloch Corporation more than three times the number 1971 814,700 became the first outdoor power sold in 1970. However, this sta­ 1972 1,075,300 equipment manufacturer to market tistic alone does not adequately 1973 1,379,900 products with factory-installed describe the increase in exhaust 1974 1,900,500 spark arresters and to produce system risk over time because: 1975 2,000,000' advertising containing fire preven­ I. Chain saws have an 1976 2,100,000' tion messages. A Smokey Bear extended service life, and the 1977 2,425,300 license has been issued to the total number of saws in ser­ 1978 2,771,700 McCulloch Corporation for the use vice constitutes the risk 1979 2,811,200 of Smokey Bear in support of this population. 1980 2,089,700 program. 2. The risk is associated with 1981 1,379,700 all multiposition engines. The TOTAL 21,380,600 gasoline-powered string trim­ *Estimated The Chain Saw Problem mer is a relatively new devel­ In 1977-81 there were approxi­ opment that has a good mately 94 wildfires on national market, for example. include the following materials: forests each year caused by chain Resource losses, suppression • Postal meter slugs with a saw exhaust systems. Data on fire costs, and the growing risk popu­ fire prevention message. occurrence for other classes of lation suggest the multiposition • Fire prevention messages in landownership is not available; engine fire problem is clearly dealer distribution literature. however. extrapolation suggests worth a fire prevention effort. • Fire prevention ed ucation there might have been about 470 information in the accessory The Program fires per year on all landowner­ brochure and/or a chain saw ships. (National forests account for The McCulloch Corporation, safety manual. approximately one-fifth of the under the 3-year agreement, will • A 6- to 8-minute chain saw commercial forest land in the finance program costs of approx­ fire safety film with Forest United States.) imately $677 ,000 and will include Service assistance. Suppression costs and resource promotion of the use of factory­ • The development and pro­ losses for these fires suggest an installed spark arresters on an motion of chain saw fire average of about $3,000 per.acre eight-point educational program. safety features for various and an average fire size of 17 The Forest Service will provide publications and the circula- acres. Some creative extrapolation technical expertise in fire preven­ tion of safety material to . is necessary in the absence of hard tion education and the assistance chain saw users. data, but the total cost plus loss of Smokey Bear. The fire preven­ ,f. • Fire safety features in adver-W figure for chain saw exhaust sys- tion education program will tising material.

10 Fire Management Notes The Forest Service-McCulloch Corporation 3-year agreement marks a unique partnership of Government and industry to com­ bat a serious fire problem. A new marketing approach and fire pre­ vention education program will be conducted that has the potential for making significant changes in fire occurrence, in industry mar­ keting practices, and in consumer -" attitudes. The initiative for this program builds on McCulloch Corpora­ tion's past experience and its com­ mitment to product safety, reflect­ ing its belief that "fire safety is a full-time job." • Donald V. Marchese. president of A1cCIII!och Corporation, and R. Max Peterson, Chief of ttte Forest Service, sign an agreement for a s-vear chain sail' pre prevention program, assisted bl' Smokey Bear.

• The development and distri­ changes in chain saw marketing, bution to wildfire agencies of eventually leading to acceptance of posters in standard sizes that spark arresters as standard equip­ are suitable for indoor use. ment by users and the outdoor • The development of mate­ power tool industry. rials to train servicing dealers and product service representatives. Summary The chain saw fire safety film Expected Benefits and posters will be available to fire There is no objective methodol­ agencies nationwide when they are ogy for determining the effect of completed. If you are interested in this program in reducing fire receiving information about these occurrence. If there is a 10 percent free items, send your name and reduction in fire occurrence, it is address to: estimated that this program will Fire Prevention A;ve $7.2 million in 3 years. Even USDA Forest Service .ore significant is the possibility 630 Sansome Street that the program will lead to basic San Francisco, CA 94111

Volume 46, Number 1 11 The California Mini·Kitchen

Roy Pike, Mike Minton, and Ben Beall

State Forest Ranger, California Department of Forestry, Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, Fort Bragg, CA; Materials Supervisor, California Department of Forestry, Mendocino Ranger Unit, Mendocino, CA; and Staff Leader, USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Fire Protection, San Francisco. CA.

Over the years, wildland fires in kitchen designed for larger volume A Complete Unit California have presented some feeding. The Mini-Kitchen design is unique logistical challenges for the Many changes have been made unique in that it is a whole mod- California Department of Forestry. from time to time to the basic ule. A cook using the recom- One of the biggest challenges is kitchen unit in an attempt to the feeding of firefighters over a increase its efficiency and versa­ mended menus does not have to expand the kitchen capabilities. period of several days, three times tility. Generally these changes have a day. The energy expended by caused an increase in weight and The equipment inventory is easily firefighters requires a high calorie space. It normally requires at least maintained and utilized with a intake that can be met by meals one large stake-side truck to haul minimum of support personnel. that are, ideally, appetizing as well and tow the kitchen unit to the When one looks at the inventory (table 1), he or she will note that as filling. incident. This has resulted from an the equipment provided can The remoteness and distance to attempt to provide a large variety accommodate the preparation, stations and food sources can add in menus, maintain high health A, serving, and cleanup of the meal. ,. to the overall feeding problem over standards, and be able to respond This is one of the major benefits the course of a few days. The chal­ to any cooking demands presented of the system. The personnel can lenge for those assigned the task of at a wildland fire. quickly become familiar with the feeding has always been to provide Recently, a few people realized Mini-Kitchen Module. a sufficient amount of nourishing that maybe they didn't need the One of the key features of this and appealing foodstuffs to the whole kitchen unit if they were kitchen is the use of barbecue grills firefighters, so that the comfort going to feed only 100 people. for cooking meat or other items level at a fire can be raised just a Thus, the Mini-Kitchen concept and keeping food warm. The little. developed. The designers recog­ nized that most multishift wildland Weber brand barbecue, which is Need for New Design fires were not very large and were commercially available, is an usually worked by lOa people or example of the kind of unit used. Throughout the years the fewer for 2 or 3 days. The use of These units can be shut off when methods of feeding have required the regular fire camp kitchen was heating or when cooking is com­ development of several alterna­ cumbersome, and at times the plete to conserve briquets. Cast tives. The choices range from the personnel required to operate it iron griddles have been adapted to issue of military rations to cook represented a large proportion of fit over the grills or used with the your own to the use of contract those assigned to the incident. gas burner units. Most of the caterers on the fire. Each method When the choice was made to equipment can be obtained from a has its merits and is acceptable cook, the kitchen used was capable hardware Or houseware store. within certain circumstances. What of preparing any menu an imagi­ There are no elaborate components we would like to offer is a flexible native gourmet cook could devise. that require exceptional skills. and efficient alternative currently Variations are easily made by in use by the California Depart­ modifying or using existing equip- ment of Forestry, called the Mini­ ment..IExperience.. has shown that ,e' Kitchen system. It is a system suit­ the Simp er It IS the better it is. able for up to lOa people and displaces the normal fire camp

12 Fire Management Notes Table I-Mini-Kitchen inventory Kitchen Setup been directly from the grill (fig. 1). One table behind the grills and Item ouannty Putting the Mini-Kitchen to serving tables is usually reserved work is rather a simple task and a-burner LPG stove 2 for preparation and cleanup.The Regulator, low can be accomplished in less than two tables used as a front counter pressure 2 one-half hour by two people. The for serving can help keep the hun­ 10-ft. propane hose, first thing to consider is space wlfitting 2 gry firefighters at bay. Placing requirements. Because the Mini­ 5-gal. propane bottles 2 items such as coffee, drinks, and Kitchen is designed for a small 1- to 5-rb fire fruit away from the food serving extinguisher, ABC 1 incident, the number of people line maintains a flow of people Weber barbecues, standing in line for food will past the grills and servers. The with lids 2 normally be no more than 50 Garbage containers, condiment and drink serving table percent of those assigned to the _ galvanized 2 should be no closer than 25 feet incident. The cooking area, which nsulated jug, 5-gal, from the food serving area. This 2 includes preparation, cooking, with spigot keeps the foot traffic away from Serving tray, 4 in serving, and cleanup, can be the kitchen and helps to increase deep 4 accommodated in a space 50 feet the line speed. Bake pans (roasting), by 50 feet. Normally one or two with lid 4 tables are used to serve the food. Butcher knives 2 Inventory Long-handled serving Because small numbers of people spoons 3 are being served, some special The items shown in table 1 are Paring knife 1 orders can be accommodated from the hardware components and Long-handled -the grill. Entree serving has usually consumable items within the inven- spatulas 3 Ice pick 2 .,....~---r'C'---' Ice scoop 1 ,-.'--~-':r-"7~- ~J;1 , . . ::;,.., .::;;::; . Stock pot, 20 qt 1 " f' , Sauce pot, 8 qt 2 ,, First aid kit, to-person 1 Dish towels, cloth 4 Sponge 1 Paper towels 6 rolls Paper napkins 8 pkg Charcoal briquets, 20 Ib bag 8 bags Coffee cups, 8 oz 1 box (2,500) Briquet starter fluid 2 cans Dinnerware sets (each box serves 125 people) 5 boxes Garbage bags 125 .echests, 48 qt 4 erving tables 4 Figure I-Mini-Kitchen ready for operation. Cooking units can be arrangedfor direct-- serving, as shown.

Volume 46, Number 1 13 tory. For example, the large bake put together for transporting the Table 2-Sampfe !/leI/liS for the Mini­ pans can be used to scramble eggs, unit, but a pickup truck would be Kitchen and the lids can be used to keep sufficient. The trailer unit pulled Item Quantity the bacon and ham warm after behind the pickup carrying the Breakfast No.1 cooking. The 20-quart stock pot food has proven to be the best Barbecued ham 40 Ibs and the bake pans can be used for method (fig. 2). Perishables need Sweet rolls 10 doz heating water and washing dishes. to be kept under refrigeration; Eggs 30 doz A little imagination has created a plan on transporting a lot of ice. Bread 30 loaves Milk, 1/2 pt 6 cases small amount of inventory that is The menus provided in table 2 Coffee 1 case versatile enough to handle many can be efficiently prepared and Fruit juice, assort. 6 cases tasks. should be palatable enough for Melons 50 An additional advantage of the the average fireline gourmet. Breakfast NO.2 Mini-Kitchen system is the versatil­ The menus are calculated in Barbecued steak, 8 oz 130 . ity of its transportation require­ IOO-person increments. If variances Eggs 30 doz ments. It is small enough to tow in are made, the proportions can be Hashed browns (frozen) 35 pkg Canned apricots 6 #10 cans a I-ton trailer and light enough for adjusted for each item. However, Fruit juice, assort. 6 cases helicopter transporting. It can be don't forget to include a "fudge Coffee 1 case packed in by mules if necessary. factor" of about 10 percent to Milk, 1/2 pt 6 cases More elaborate systems have been cover unexpected guests. Table 3 Bread 30 loaves Dinner No. Sirloin steak, 8 oz 130 String beans 6 #10 cans Mixed salad 1 case Tomatoes 1 lug Onions 5 lb. Coffee 1 case Milk, 1/2 pt. 6 cases Fresh fruit 5 lugs Juice, assort. 10 cases Dinner NO.2 Hamburger patties 50lb Beans 6 #10 cans Lettuce 1 case Tomatoes 1 lug Onions 20lb Pickles, sliced 2 gal Cookies 60 pkg Fruit juice, assort. 10 cases Hamburger buns (8 per pkg) 24 pkg

Note: Lunch meals are generally catered sac • lunches or military rations. r Fig,ure 2- View of smalt frailer unit used for transporting Mini-Kitchen. Note that sidenoards douhle as {abies.

14 Fire Management Notes Table 3-Mini-Kifchen complement 1 shows the recommended list of Kitchen need to be shared. complementary items. The condi­ California Department of Forestry Item Quantity ments can be adapted to local pref­ personnel feel the Mini-Kitchen has Sugar 20 Ibs erences as desired. Whenever possi­ a future in effectively providing Jelly-assorted, ble obtain individual packages of low-cost satisfying meals to fireline individual packets 500 each items such as syrup, salad dressing, personnel. Experience has shown Salt and pepper packets 1000 each sauces, sugar, and dairy creamers. that this unit is sufficient to handle Wooden kitchen Always keep in mind the 100­ matches 1 box the vast majority of wildland fires Butter 6 1-lb tubs person increment. in remote locations. The key to Cooking ou 1 gal In a world where improvements maintaining efficiency is to follow Mustard, packets 500 each can sometimes mean smaller, the completely the criteria of the Mini­ Catsup, packets 500 each efforts of many to provide effi­ Kitchen: in other words, keep it Paper towels 6 rolls cient systems such as the Mini- _Barbecue lighter fluid 6 1-qt cans small.• WBarbecue briquets 6 20-lb bags

, order this complement each 24 hours.

Volume 46, Number 1 15 Incendiary Wildfires: Minnesota Gets Tough on Arsonists 1

Robert Kraske

Editor, Minnesota Volunteer, Minnesota Department ofNatural Resources, St. Paul, MN.

Of the 1,022 wildfires in Minne­ instructors were veteran wildland at the arson investigation school in sota during the first 6 months of arson investigators from across the Georgia, the team devised a plan. 1984, 415, or 41 percent, were United States. The first step was to go over incendiary. These deliberately set One year later J Conservation records of past fires. Was there a fires burned 32,644 acres, 6 out of Officer Brad Burgraff from Brain­ pattern in the fires-in locations, every 10 acres consumed by all erd, MN, and Forest Officer perhaps, or the devices used to set wildfires in the State for this Chuck Spoden, from Littlefork, the fires? Team members kept a period. Incendiary fires 'He Min­ attended classes at the same 24-hour stakeout on the suspect's nesota IS number one cause of school. home and used aerial surveillance wildfires. According to Joseph These three-Garvey, Burgraff, when he left home in his brown Alexander, Commissioner of the and Spoden-trained 28 DNR pickup truck. Minnesota Department of Natural forest and conservation officers at Four days later, a wildfire Resources (DNR), "A major cause a I-week school at Camp Ripley. started in a forest near Park . of forest and grass fires in Minne­ A special Forest Service agent Rapids. What the arsonist didn't sota is arson." from California assisted in the know was that a forest officer was Now DNR forest and conserva­ training. concealed in the brush nearby and tion officers are getting tough on had watched him set the blaze. fire starters. Investigation of wild­ Successful Teamwork Using a hand radio, the officer fires has taken "a quantum leap From this initial cadre, eight alerted a plane circling overhead forward in the past 3 years," says separate arson investigation teams and another forest officer in a car DNR Forest Officer Brian Garvey of four to five officers each were a mile away. He also called his from Moose Lake, MN. formed. The 1984 spring fire sea­ supervisor, who contacted the local son provided an opportunity to conservation officer. Arson Investigation School test the new teams. Initial results The spotter plane kept the sus­ pect's pickup in view as all ground In 1982, Garvey was one of 20 were encouraging. Citations for units converged. The pickup was forest and conservation officers wildfire violations increased, and stopped, and the suspect appre­ in the Nation to attend the first collections of the costs of fighting hended. While the conservation session of the Wildland Arson fires improved. In Brainerd, one officer interviewed the suspect, the Investigation School at Glynco, arsonist was found guilty in a jury first forest officer took pictures GA. Sponsored by the USDA trial. and gathered evidence at the spot Forest Service, the school treated A major success involved a case where the fire started. After a subjects such as fire origins and in the Park Rapids area. Each court hearing, the suspect was behavior, burn patterns, arson spring, 10 to 15 wildfires would sentenced to jail. devices, arsonist profiles, inter­ occur within a 5-square-mile area, views of suspects and gathering sometimes 4 or 5 per day. The local DNR forest officer evidence, search and seizure, and Burn Patterns courtroom procedures. The had an idea of the person who was setting the fires, but he knew he Fire investigation is time coo- • couldn't prove it. He discussed his suming. A fire investigator must (

I Reprinted with permission from the suspicions with the arson investiga­ first locate the point at which a Minnesota Volunteer, Vol. 47 (276). tion team. Using techniques taught fire started, then determine the

16 Fire Management Notes cause of the fire, and finally iden­ Property Loss dental, without human cause. But tify the responsible party. because of our training, we were Property damage rather than the The behavior of a fire is re­ able to go in, find the cause of the loss of human life is the conse­ vealed in burn patterns on trees. fire, and prove it came from a quence of most incendiary fires. bushes, fallen trunks, rocks, grass, campfire that had burned out of Homes and outbuildings located and on debris or vegetation in the control. We located the campers, on grassland are frequently dam­ fire's path. Using the knowledge took legal action, and the State aged or destroyed. Christmas tree that fires tend to burn in a cone was then able to collect the cost of plantations and private tree farms shape in the direction of the wind, putting out the fire from the are also susceptible. the investigator can follow these campers who had caused it." "All wildfires lead somewhere," burn patterns to the point where Because of their growing skill in reflects George Meadows, DNR the fire originated. identifying the cause of a fire, fire specialist. He once watched a Once the point of origin is investigators can assess if the brush fire head for a dilapidated located, the investigator gets on motive was arson or not. Rubbish barn; fortunately the flames were • hands and knees and searches for left burning in a field, a carelessly extinguished before doing any the item that caused the fire. A discarded cigarette, a car parked damage. Meadows found out after­ favorite device of arsonists consists with a hot muffler in tall grass can wards that the ancient building of kitchen matches fastened to the all cause wildfires. housed $400,000 worth of modern filter end of a glowing cigarette. Some people deliberately torch farm equipment. When the cigarette burns down, grassland in an attempt to create Crown fires-those fierce fire the matches ignite. Gadget-minded better wildlife habitat, although in storms that race through the arsonists use a timing mechanism the process they often destroy the crowns of trees-do more damage to delay ignition of flammables nests of birds and young wildlife. than grass or brush fires and cost until they are far from the scene. Other fires are set to rid a field of more to fight. But they happen far After the origin and cause have unwanted shrubs and weed trees. less frequently. Three or four been determined, the arsonist must Still other fires are started, accord­ devastating crown fires may occur be located. Often there are people ing to a Forest Service officer, "to in one year compared to 1,500 in the fire area who remember a rid a woods of ticks and snakes." grass or brush fires. Collectively, car. Or perhaps someone will be Although these fires are delib­ ground fires do far more damage. able to identify the arsonist. erately set, the people who start Acting as a team, Spoden, them are neither arsonists nor Is It Arson? Garvey, and Burgraff investigated pyromaniacs. However, a fire­ four fires near Wadena and seven Not all incendiary fires, the blackened field or a charred woods near Staples. Oddly enough, they arson investigation teams dis­ still look the same no matter what found that, although they were covered, are set by arsonists. Peo­ the motive, and the people who unable to identify the arsonists, ple sometimes start fires through start the fire, even though innocent no new fires near those towns carelessness, not criminal intent. of criminal intent, are still respon­ occurred after they left. The fact Recently Burgraff investigated sible for the costs of firefighting. A'that they were investigating the a wildfire near Duluth. "In the Unlike "innocent" fire starters, ..fires apparently was sufficient to past," he says, "the incident arsonists usually set fires repeat­ discourage more incendiary fires. would have been considered acci- edly in a particular pattern and in

Volume 46, Number 1 17 e i :I )'

I' \ ! I one area. Wildfires in an area Talking About the with a Tl-745 terminal. The often stop when a suspected arson­ Weather, .. By Radio Tl-745 provides an English Ian­ I ist moves. In one instance, the I Mark Twain has been credited guage printout of the weather fires ended when a suspect went to with the quote "Everybody talks information for the fire behavior jail on an unrelated charge. officer. I about the weather but nobody does \ I anything about it." We still can't The units, programmable from Making Progress I do much about the weather, but fire camp, can be installed by two Investigating wildfires in Min­ the technicians at Boise Inter­ technicians in about 45 minutes I nesota's wildlands entered a agency Fire Center's (BIFC) and can be carried in the back of a new phase when Commissioner Division of Information Systems pickup truck or on a helicopter. I Alexander officially created the Management have found a new These items are available from arson investigation teams on way to talk about fire weather. BIFC, Catalog No. 4281 and i March I, 1984. Since then, DNR Fire behavior officers know should be fire ordered from • forest officers have grown more what the weather is like in the fire BIFC's Logistic Support Office. and more canny about wildfires camp. They also know what the The LSO should be able to tell the and how to catch those who start weather is like on the fireline from representatives of the ordering them. the reports received from fire organization what equipment they "We have more enforcement crews. They know what the need to order. Bureau of Land and investigation now that we have regional weather is like from the Management personnel can design, the team concept of investigating forecasts received daily from the set up, and operate a RAWS/Tl- incendiary wildfires," says National Weather Service. 745 interface system based on the Meadows. "Arrests will increase, But what about the weather 20 needs of the ordering office. and convictions will go up." • or 30 miles away, on the other side We still can't do anything about of the fire? What about the front the weather, but thanks to the that is approaching the fire, half technical expertise of a number of an hour away? This information people, now firefighters can at can be vital to firefighting strategy least anticipate what the weather is and crew safety, but up until now going to do and plan a little better for it. • it has been the hardest information , to keep up with. Arnold Hartigan , The solution the BIFC techni­ Public Affairs Officer., USDI Bureau of dans came up with was to place Land Management, Boise Interagency Fire J several Handar 540 Remote Auto­ Center, Boise, ID. matic Weather Stations (RAWS) I around the fire. Information from " the RAWS units is transmitted over standard kit radios from the National Radio Support Cache (NRSC) back to the fire camp. The information is received by another NRSC kit radio that interfaces

18 Fire Management Notes e History-Making Parachute Jump

Clay Morgan and Dale Matlack

Wriler-Edilor, USDA Foresl Service, Payette National Forest, MeCall, ID; and Aerial Attack Specialist, USDA Forest Service. A viation and Fire Management Staff, Washington, DC.

On Friday, August 17, 1984, Several smokejumpers have lost generally considered impractical a srnokejumper from the West their lives in forest fire suppression and too dangerous. Yellowstone Interagency Fire work, however, and one fatality In 1934, T. V. Pearson of the Center, Northern Region, para­ occurred during jumping as a Intermountain Region experi­ chuted to the Fly Hill Fire on result of a procedural error. mented with parachute systems, Kelly Creek Ranger District, Clear­ Much of the credit for the but the program was abandoned as water National Forest. In making remarkable safety record can be being "too risky." Some even this jump, John Purlee from attributed to rigorous standardized worried about what kind of people Burbank, CA, accomplished the smokejumper training and to the would agree to become part of 100,000th fire jump in the history equipment development work such a hazardous undertaking; of smokejumping, accomplished by the Missoula they felt that they must be just a This milestone of parachute use Equipment Development Center, little bit unbalanced! took many years to accomplish Missoula, MT. But the idea caught on, never­ and represents the largest civilian theless. In 1939, the Forest Ser­ utilization of a personnel para­ vice's parachute project, conducted e How Smokejumping Began chute system for operational pur- on the Chelan National Forest poses. As a result, the parachute, The idea of parachuting fire­ near Winthrop, WA, proved which many people said couldn't fighters into forest and wilderness that firefighters and equipment be safely used, rightfully takes its was simple but revolutionary, and could be safely parachuted into place as a unique fire suppression it took time to grow. remote locations. In spite of skep­ delivery system. The Forest Service Shortly after World War I, the tics, the smokejumping idea (USDA), followed by the Bureau Forest Service started working with became a reality. Personnel could of Land Management (USDI), has the Army Air Corps to detect fires indeed be dropped in timber, been parachuting srnokejumpers to in several Western States, starting meadows, side hills, and ridges forest fires since July 12, 1940. On with California and spreading to safely and effectively. that date, the first jump to a fire Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and was made by Rufus Robinson and Montana. Because the early planes A Brief History Earl Cooley on the Nezperce flew just above the treetops to National Forest in Idaho. Three detect fires, the crews soon started Fourteen srnokejumpers teamed days later, the first successful to drop supplies to firefighters on up to make 99 fire jumps in 1940, rescue jump was made to an air­ the ground. The materials were establishing the srnokejumping plane crash on the Bitterroot wrapped in old burlap for a softer program. Winthrop, WA, and National Forest. landing. Within a few years para­ Seeley Lake, MT, became the first Since 1940, more than 200,000 chutes were used to cushion smokejumping centers. An analysis parachute jumps have been made landings. of the handful of fires jumped in by USDA and USDI smoke­ A few individuals are always 1940 revealed a new savings of jumpers in mountainous terrain ahead of their time-and so it was approximately $30,000, nearly without a single fatal accident due that a few foresters considered three times the cost of the project. \to parachute malfunction. This using planes and parachutes to The worries over the psychologi­ safety record is unequaled in either get firefighters where they were cal pressures of parachuting per­ e military or sport parachuting. needed. However. the idea was still sisted for some time. When AI

Volume 46, Number 1 19 Cramer's parachute malfunc­ fight any fires that might result Both developments were firsts in tioned during a practice jump, he from the incendiary balloon bombs the parachute industry. deployed his reserve parachute and believed to be on the way from Parachutes continued to improve landed without injury. His trainers Japan (fig. I). with the FS-5, F5A, and FS-IO did not want him to end the day The 1940's ended on a sober designs. The FS-12 parachute with a bad parachute experience, note with the Mann Gulch tragedy. employs a 32-foot canopy that has however, so they immediately took On August 5, 1949, 12 smoke­ nylon of three different porosities him back up in the plane and jumpers and a district guard (a and anti-inversion netting. The made him jump again. That time former smokejumper) were killed Forest Service FS-12 provides Cramer sprained his ankle. when the fire they were fighting better maneuverability, slower An interesting sidelight of the underwent a sudden blowup. descent, and full braking capa­ first year of operational jumping Since 1940, 12 bases and several bilities. In Alaska, BLM is was the visit of four U.S. Army spike bases have provided Forest establishing its Ram Air parachute staff officers to the parachute Service and Bureau of Land program, employing a square air­ project at Seeley Lake. One of Management smokejumper support foil design. these officers, Major William C. to the Western States and Alaska. The smokejumpcr's jump gear Lee, employed Forest Service tech­ Smokejurnping programs have also has seen a similar evolution. Jum­ niques and ideas in organizing the been developed in Canada, China, pers now use Ensulite-padded, first military paratroop training at and the Soviet Union. In the Nomex jump suits. Lighter weight Fort Benning, GA. 1970's, Region 6 Forest Service suits and harnesses are presently The needs of World War II cre­ jumpers participated in an experi­ being developed. A replacement ated serious personnel shortages in mental smokejumper program in reserve parachute will be purchased the smokejumping program. By the Southern Region. The BLM is for each smokejumper in 1985. 1943, the Forest Service began presently evaluating smokejurnpers Over the years, the srnokejumper recruiting conscientious objectors in the Great Basin Area. Since program has been well served by through the Civilian Personnel 1940, srnokejumpers have attacked several aircraft, including the Service. The cr s srnokejumpers over 25,000 wildfires in 18 States Nordyne Norseman, the Ford Tri­ led a strict life .•f they were absent and in Canada. Motor, the Twin Beech, and the without leave, they could be Grumman Goose. DC-3's still charged with desertion. "Opera­ Parachutes and Equipment fly smokejurnpers in the Inter­ tion Firefly" was the name applied The Forest Service pioneered the mountain Region. Other aircraft to various Army Air Forces (AAF) development of steerable para­ currently dropping jumpers include experiments and training missions chutes. The smokejumper's orig­ the Twin Oller, the Volpar, and { undertaken in 1945. As part of this inal "Eagle" parachute system the Beech 99. • operation, black AAF personnel of consisted of a hand-deployed 30­ Present Organization the 555th ("Triple Nickel") foot canopy with steering lobes Parachute Infantry Battalion were and a 27-foot steerable reserve. In Although there have been trained as smokejurnpers at the 1941, static line deployment was changes in the srnokejumper pro­ Missoula, MT, Aerial Depot. developed, and by 1945, Frank gram, many of the original bases These smokejumpers were then sta­ Derry had designed a canopy that are still in operation. However, tioned on the west coast, ready to had open slots used for steering. some of the bases that were used

20 Fire Management Notes ~

Figure I-Paratroopers of the Fire 555/11 Parachute Infantry Battalion climh info their parachute harnesses before hoarding a plane of the 1st Troop Carrier Command. The C-47 will drop the airborne firefighters near an area where forest fires are burning. Umatilla National Forest, OR-25 August 1945.

Volume 46, Number 1 21 ",I

Ii l? j I I for many years are no longer being In addition to the above, BLM In the early days, jumpers were used. These include Idaho City and has a total of 95 smokejumpers in used for initial attack purposes Boise, ID; LaGrande and Cave Alaska. only. Today, although first attack Junction, OR; and Nine Mile and remains their primary function, Seeley Lake, MT. The following The 1980's Smokejumper they also serve on interregional fire list shows the principal 1984 oper­ crews and in overhead positions on In 1940, the smokejumper was ating bases (an asterisk indicates a large fires. Interregional and inter­ certain to be white, male, single, core base). agency cooperation facilitates the and between the ages of 21 and 25. Forest Service: ready transport and diverse use of By the late 1940's the majority of Region 1 smokejumpers throughout the smokejumpers were former service­ Missoula, MT- country. In the future, smoke­ men, many of whom were also col­ I West Yellowstone, MT jumpers may be used more exten­ lege students. Today the average Grangeville, ID sively to monitor prescribed fires, smokejurnper is older than his Region 3 as wilderness fire management counterpart in the 1940's and has _I Silver City, NM plans are developed. much more fire experience. He or Region 4 Some aspects of smokejumping she is not necessarily a teacher or a McCall, !D- remain much the same. The shovel college student during the off­ Region 5 and pulaski are still the favored season. Smokejumpers may spend Remand, OR­ firefighting tools. The use of 150­ their winters as ski instructors, North Cascades, OR foot "long-line" gear retrieval by stockbrokers, writers, outfitters, Winthrop, WA helicopter is becoming established, guides, or Navy SEALs. Over the Bureau of Land Management: but smokejumpers must still be years, the 10,000 jumpers who Fairbanks, AK­ physically fit and able to pack have been trained by the Forest Grand Junction, CO loads of 100 pounds and more for Service or BLM have come from The number of smokejumpers miles through rugged country with­ and gone on to a number of differ­ has fluctuated somewhat but has out trails. ent lifestyles, including those of now stabilized at a number that The old jumper saying still holds doctors, lawyers, coaches, and reflects the typical level of the true: "We're no different from the even an astronaut. early 1960's. The following chart other firefighters. We just walk Around 1980, women began to depicts the number of Forest half as far and carry twice as show an interest in smokejumping. Service smokejumpers through the much." However, significant prog­ Deanne Shulman became the first \ years: ress is being made to provide woman jumper in 1981 and was • 1940 14 lighter weight equipment. I still active in 1984, jumping all 4 1945 219 I, years from McCall, !D (fig. 2). 1950 251 Total Mobility She was joined by three women in 1955 273 the Northern Region in 1982 and The "total mobility" concept of 1960 320 by three more in the following the early 1970's designated smoke­ 1965 389 year. By 1984 nine women smoke­ jumpers Category One fire crews, 1970 446 jumpers were in the program, rep­ recognizing them as the best fire­ 1975 441 resenting all regions of the Forest fighters available. Now, smoke­ 1984 330 Service. jumpers are used frequently for

22 Fire Management Notes I,

I 'f Ffgure 2-Firsl women in smokejummng, Deanne Schulman and Charlotte Larsen, pose beside the Intermountain Region's Beech 99. I I~

Volume 46, Number 1 23 ~,;

ground action on large-scale proj­ from several bases parachuting delivery of firefighters is still the ect fires as well as for parachute early in the morning or late in the best way to achieve fast initial delivery. Because of the increased burning period of fires on areas attack. The accomplishment of sophistication of dispatching, larger than 10 acres. 100,000 parachute fire jumps vivid­ jumpers can respond to fire calls in ly demonstrates how effectively the almost any location in close coor­ Summary Forest Service and BLM have fol­ dination with other suppression lowed this concept. forces. Although technology has pro­ Max Peterson, Chief of the t Often, because of their speed duced many changes through the Forest Service, recognized the \ and mobility, large numbers of years, fire suppression continues to value of smokejumpers in his I smokejumpers parachute into require hands-on pulaski and address at the 45th reunion in I emerging troublesome fires to try shovel work. Experience shows Missoula, MT, in July 1984: to contain them before they reach that the sooner the attack is made "They're going to be around for project proportions. It is not the less hands-on work is needed. a long time." • i uncommon to see 40 to 60 jumpers Labor is expensive, and aerial e I

,f, I I 'I

24 Fire Management Notes ~IIMS and State Forestry \ wvrganizations :~ " H.N. Miller and Marvin E. Newell

State Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry, ~i!'! .. Salem, OR; and Staff Assistant, USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Fire Protection, Boise Interagency Fire Center, Boise, ID.

Interagency fire operations are a • Knowledge that the current ers through whom individual States fact of life in almost all parts of fire management organization have input and joint control of the the Nation. Fires involving two or works well enough. system. Each proposal related to more agencies have created a diffi­ o Concern about homogenized NllMS is evaluated to determine cult challenge for fire protection standards. its effect upon the States involved. organizations. The problems range • Cost of the changeover. The third area of concern has to from the use of different fire ter­ • Fear of loss of agency iden­ do with adoption of a standardized minology to incompatible com­ tity in a national system. national system. The basic ques­ munications to organizational • Fear of change itself. tion seems to be whether or not differences. Obviously we can't speak to how the individual can meet the stand­ In addition, the number of fire well an agency's current organiza­ ardized job performance require­ service organizations continues to tion is functioning, but we can all ments of the position. These job 'nerease as citizens move to rural recognize that we are living in a performance requirements are the nd wildland areas that were once rapidly changing environment full means to attain NllMS positions • he domain of State and Federal of a variety of issues, people, and as established under the Incident wildland fire protection agencies. organizations that we have to deal Command System (lCS). This movement requires a change with as wildland fire protection Each State, Federal, or local in the way the wildland fire organ­ agencies. agency and each geographic area izations traditionally conduct their This brings us to the first point. has a unique situation. Yet ICS fire protection functions. There NllMS is designed as a wildland was designed with the flexibility to have been several examples of less fire suppression organization and fit each individual situation. The than desirable fire operations as a support system; its adoption is attributes of the system make it result of this transition. strictly voluntary on the part of adaptable: it meets the needs of agencies. The National Wildfire small organizations as well as large A New System Coordinating Group (NWCG), and applies to small incident man­ which is the parent group respon­ agement as well as large. If fire­ A new emergency management sible for overall development, has fighters can meet the basic func­ approach called the National Inter­ stated that it will concentrate on tional requirements of their agency, agency Incident Management Sys­ wildland fire management. Other it can be said that they meet the tem (NIlMS) is being adopted by emergency service agencies may standards of the lCS. State Forest­ many emergency service agen- also want to adopt the system ers are the individuals who make cies across the country. NllMS is based on its merits, and local agen­ the performance determination designed to encourage maximum cies will need to coordinate as for their organizations. cooperation at the Federal, State, necessary. Certainly in today's world of and local agency level. Certainly, The next question has to do with tight budgets, we must be con­ as with any change of this mag­ control over the system. Each Fed­ cerned with costs. The implementa­ nitude, there is some reluctance eral agency that has wildland fire tion of NllMS is no exception. to adopt a new system. There programs and each State has mem­ Costs of implementation can gen­ ~e several key reasons for this bership on the National Wildfire erally be broken down into these .-Iuctance: Coordinating Group. By NWCG categories: charter, there are two State Forest-

Volume 46, Number 1 25 J ',I

1. General management ori­ hours), the State Forester can unless an agency agrees to let entation. begin the changeover from an indi­ another agency perform some of 2. Interagency coordination vidual's currently qualified posi­ its functions. Local cooperative meetings to plan imple­ tion to the comparable position agreements would set forth the mentation and agree on under NilMS (for example, Fire methods currently in use, such as such items as sharing in­ Boss to Incident Commander). the closest forces concept. structors and integrating As mentioned above, agency In summary, NlIMS is a volun­ communications, identity is a vital factor. Any tary system. It allows for flexibility 3. Training. agency "worth its salt" would not to meet local conditions, and it The only training necessary for want to give this up. Under the is based on the bottom line of transition from the Large Fire NilMS concept each agency retains performance, that is, the end Organization, or another similar its identity and its responsibilities. rather than the means. Standard- fire management organization, to NilMS actually strengthens and ization should not be consi~ered ae NilMS is completion of Basic lCS maintains agency autonomy. It problem; performance require- (1-220), which covers basic ICS simply offers a viable method of ments no doubt can currently be organization, functions, and opera­ interagency cooperation. There is met by the overwhelming majority tions. Once fire personnel have no function in the system that of States.• completed this training (12 to 16 would require loss of responsibility

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26 Fire Management Notes e Recent Fire Publications

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Barney, Richard J. Characteristics Gavin, Thomas M. Prescribed fire ment of the Interior, National of fireline blasted with linear qualification system devel­ Park Service, North Atlantic explosives: initial test results. oped. Park Science. Seattle, Region, Office of Scientific Res. Note INT-345. Ogden, WA: U.S. Department of the Studies; 1984.236 p. UT: U.S. Department of Interior, USDI National Park Phillips, C. B.; Barney, R. J. Agriculture, Forest Service, Service; 1984; 5(1): 15. Updating bulldozer fireline Intermountain Forest and Lyon, L. Jack. The sleeping child production rates. Gen. Tech. Range Experiment Station; burn-21 years of postfire Rep. INT-166. Ogden, UT: 1984. 8 p. change. Res. Pap. INT -330. U.S. Department of Agricul­ Barney, Richard J. Forest fire sup­ Ogden, UT: U.S. Department ture, Forest Service, Inter­ pression techniques: A short of Agriculture, Forest Service, mountain Forest and Range history. Western Wildlands. Intermountain Forest and Experiment Station; 1984. 10(3): 26-29; 1984. Range Experiment Station; 26 p. _Bradshaw, Larry S.; Deeming, 1984. 17 p. Stankey, George H.; McCool, ., John E.; Burgan, Robert E.; Gruell, George E. To burn or not Stephen F.; Stokes, Gerald L. Cohen, Jack D. The 1978 to burn: a wildlife manage­ Limits of acceptable change: a national fire danger rating sys­ ment dilemma. Western Wild­ new framework for managing tem: technical documentation. lands. 10(3): 9-15; 1984. the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-l3. Kilgore, Bruce M. Restoring fire's Western Wildlands. 10(3): Ogden, UT: U.S. Department natural role in America's wil­ 33-37; 1984. of Agriculture, Forest Service, derness. Western Wildlands. Susott, Ronald A. Heat of preigni­ Intermountain Forest and 10(3): 2-8; 1984. tion of three woody fuels used Range Experiment Station; Mathews, Edward E. Fire on Mon­ in wildfire modeling research. 1983. 36 p. tana's rangelands: a successful Res. Note INT -342. Ogden, Burgan, R. E.; Rothermel, R. C. pilot program. Western Wild­ UT: U.S. Department of BEHAVE: Fire behavior pre­ lands. 10(3): 16-19; 1984. Agriculture, Forest Service, diction and fuel modeling sys­ Patterson, W. A.; Saunders, Intermountain Forest and tem, FUEL subsystem. Gen. K. E.; Horton, L. J. Fire Range Experiment Station; Tech. Rep. [NT -167. Ogden, regimes of the coastal Maine 1984.4 p. UT: U.S. Department of forests of Acadia National Vines, Tom. The incident com­ Agriculture, Forest Service, Park. Report ass 83-3. Bos­ mand system. Response. 3(3): Intermountain Forest and ton, MA: U.S. Department of 9-13; 1984. Range Experiment Station; the Interior, National Park Wakimoto, Ronald H. Current fire 1984. 135 p. Service, North Atlantic management research in Gla­ Fischer, William C. Wilderness fire Region, Office of Scientific cier National Park. Western management planning guide: Studies; 1984. 259 p. Wildlands. 10(3): 20-25; 1984. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-17 J. Patterson, W. A.; Saunders, Warren, John R. Thermal infrared Ogden, UT: U.S. Department K. E.; Horton, L. J. Fire users manual. Boise, 10: U.S. of Agriculture, Forest Service, regimes of Cape Cod National Department of Agriculture, Intermountain Forest and Seashore. Report OSS 83-1. Forest Service, Aviation and e Range Experiment Station; Boston, MA: U.S. Depart- Fire Management; 1984.51 p. 1984. 56 p.

Volume 46, Number 1 27 I ! i',

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Wetherill, G. Richard. Forest fire Federal Firefighters the "forgotten fire service." prevention programs and their The International Society of Fire Through the efforts of the evaluation in the USDA For­ Service Instructors (ISFSl) is a ISFSI, Federal firefighters and emergency service personnel have est Service, Region 8. Res. nonprofit professional organization Note SO-282. New Orleans, of over 5,000 fire and emergency an opportunity to interact and LA: U.S. Department of service personnel. The Society con­ share ideas and information. Each Agriculture, Forest Service, ducts the annual Fire Department member receives a monthly ISFSI newsletter, an ., Instruct-OsGram' Southern Forest Experiment Instructors Conference held in Station; 1982. 26 p. Cincinnati, OH, in March, and lesson outline, and a quarterly Weaver, John. Bear us in mind. other specialized seminars during Federal Section newsletter. Mem­ Western Wildlands. 10(3): the year. bers also receive discounts on 30-32; 1984.• ISFSI is organized into I I spe­ materials published by ISFSI and cial interest sections, one of which on tickets to various Society e is the Federal Section, representing functions. emergency service personnel who For further information or to work for the Federal Government join contact the Federal Section or protect a Federal installation. . Chairperson: Asst. Chief James Federal firefighters are members 01 Raekl, 321 CES/OEF, Grand the largest and most diverse fire Forks Air Base, ND 58205. Or protection force in the world, yet contact the International Society of most people think of them only as Fire Service Instructors at 20 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721. •

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28 Fire Management Notes ·Author Index 1984

Anderson, Hal E. Calculating fire Johnson, Von J. How shape Schultz. William. "Adopt a safe size and perimeter growth. affects the burning of piled burning barrel" project. 45(3): 45(3): 25-30. debris. 45(3): 12-15. 22-24. Bailey, Dan W.; Suenram, Bruce; Keleman. Bruce; Whitlock, Chuck. Webb, Jim; Brown, AI. Prescribed Costamagna, Jim. A team­ Training in water use increases fire management training. work approach to multiagency the efficiency of fire suppres­ 45(3): 16-17. fire management. 45(3): 9-11. sion in the Pacific Northwest. Whitson, Jim. The National Wild­ Billings, Samuel T. Smoke chasing 45(3): 7-8. fire Coordinating Group's -1925.45(2): 11-12. Levesque, David L. New fire camp publication management sys­ Braddock, AI; Mathers, Jim; shower. 45(2): 9-10. tem unit. 45(4): 7. Melle, Ann. More women in Monesmith, Jerry; Newell, Marvin; Whitson, Jim; Newell, Marvin. fire management on the Black Whitson, Jim; Montague, Agency cooperation through Hill National Forest. 45(2): Dick. Unified command: a NlIMS. 45(2): 7-8. 16. management concept. 45(1): Whitson, Jim; Newell, Marvin. e Bunnell, David L. In-ear transceiv­ 3-6. Transition training. 45(3): ers improve communications Newell, Marvin; Whitson, Jim. 18-20. in high-noise environments. Complementary systems­ Whitson, Jim; Newell, Marvin; 45(2): 3c5. IEMS and NlIMS. 45(4): 19. Monesmith, Jerry. NlIMS Cain, Michael D. Height of stem­ Noble, Depha M. The northern training. 45(2): 23. bark char underestimates forest fire laboratory. 45(2): Whitson, Jim; Hanson, Dave. flame length in prescribed 21-22. How NlIMS keeps qualifica­ burns. 45(1): 17-21. Petersen, Gary J.; Mohr, Francis tion standards from becoming Cockrell, Patsy. Planting Smokey R. Underburning on white fir a barrier to interagency coop­ Bear's tree. 45(3): 21. site to induce natural regener­ eration.45(4): 18. Daines, Gladys. Celebrating ation and sanitation. 45(2): Willmot, Robert, F. JEFFCO Smokey's 40th birthday. 17-20. interagency aviation and fire 45(2): 6. Pickford, Stewart G., Dr.; Brown. service center. 45(4): 5-6.• Daines, Gladys. Smokey's birthday AI. Keeping faith with new celebrated across the nation. technology: technical fire 45(4): 20-22. management course. 45(1): Daines, Gladys. The first 40 years. 7-9. { 45(1): 22-24. Radloff, David L. Using decision Davis, James B. Burning another analysis to evaluate fire haz­ empire. 45(4): 12-17. ard effects of timber harvest­ ! Eichner, Ed. Building a fire pre­ ing. 45(1): 10-16. vention trailer. 45(4): 10-11. Roberts. John E. Fire suppression Fields, Arlene. Staying informed: for college credit. 45(4): 8-9. the FIREBASE system. Schmidt, Jerry. Today's change, 45(4): 3-4. tomorrow's success. 45(3): • 3-6.

Volume 46, Number 1 29 Subject Index 1984

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Cooperation New fire camp shower. A teamwork approach to multi­ A teamwork approach to multi­ 45(2): 9-10. agency fire management. Complementary systems-lEMS agency fire management. 45(3): 9-11. 45(3): 9-11. and NllMS. 45(4): 19. Smoke chasing-I925. Planting Smokey Bear's tree. "Adopt a safe burning barrel" 45(2): 11-12. 45(3): 21. project. 45(3): 16-17. More women in fire management Celebrating Smokey's 40th Agency cooperation through on the Black Hill National birthday. 45(2): 2. NllMS. 45(2): 7-8. Forest. 45(2): 16. Smokey's birthday celebrated Transition training. 45(3): 18-20. In-ear transceivers improve communications in high-noise across the nation. Fire Behavior 45(4): 20-22. environments. 45(2): 3-5. The first 40 years. 45(1): 22-24. Calculating fire size and perimeter Burning another empire. Unified command: A management growth. 45(3): 25-30. 45(4): 12-17. concept. 45(1): 3-6. Height of stem-back char under­ Today's change, tomorrow's Complementary systems-IEMS estimates flame length in success. 45(3): 3-6. and NllMS. 45(4): 19. prescribed burns. Fire suppression for college credit. 45(1): 17-21. Prevention 45(4): 8-9. Underburning on white fir site to Planting Smokey Bear's tree. Today's change, tomorrow's sue­ induce natural regeneration 45(3): 21. cess. 45(3): 3-6. and sanitation. 45(2): 17-20. Celebrating Smokey's 40th The National Wildfire Using decision analysis to evaluate birthday. 45(2): 6. Coordinating Group's publica­ fire hazard effects of timber Smokey's birthday celebrated tion management system unit. harvesting. 45(1): 10-16. across the nation. 45(4): 7. Fuels Management 45(4): 20-22. Agency cooperation through The first 40 years. 45(1): 22-24. NllMS. 45(2): 7-8. Height of stem-bark char under­ JEFFCO interagency aviation and estimates flame length in Presuppression fire service center. 45(4): 5-6. prescribed burns. Smoke chasing-I925. NllMS training. 45(2): 23. 45(1): 17-21. 45(2): 11-12. How NIIMS keeps qualification How shape affects the burning of Burning another empire. standards from becoming a piled debris. 45(3): 12-15. 45(4): 12-17. barrier to interagency Underburning on white fir site to Building a fire prevention trailer. cooperation. 45(4): 18. induce natural regeneration and sanitation. 45(2): 17-20. 45(4): 10-11. How shape affects the burning of Equipment and Computer Systems Using decision analysis to evaluate fire hazard effects of timber piled debris. 45(3): 12-15. In-ear transceivers improve harvesting. 45(1): 10-16. Training in water use increases the communications in high-noise efficiency of fire suppression environments. 45(2): 3-5. General Fire Management in the Pacific Northwest. Staying informed: the FIREBASE 45(3): 7-8. Calculating fire size and perimeter system. 45(4): 3-4. growth. 45(3): 25-30.

30 Fire Management Notes • }h •

Unified command: a management Training The Ten Standard Firefighting concept. 45(1): 3-6. Orders The northern forest fire labora­ More women in fire management tory. 45(2): 21-22. on the Black Hills National l , Keep informed on fire Keeping faith with new technol­ Forest. 45(2): 16. weather conditions and forecasts. ogy: technical fire manage­ Training in water use increases the ment course. 45(1): 7-9. efficiency of fire suppression 2. Know what your fire is doing in the Pacific Northwest. "Adopt a safe burning barrel" at all times-observe personally, 45(3): 7-8. project. 45(3): 22-24. use scouts. Keeping faith with new techno­ NIlMS training. 45(2): 23. logy: technical fire manage­ How NIlMS keeps qualification 3. Base all actions on current ment course. 45(1): 7-9. standards from becoming and expected behavior of fire. Fire suppression for college credit. a barrier to interagency 45(4): 8-9. cooperation. 45(4): 18. 4. Have escape routes for every­ Prescribed fire management One and make them known. • EFFCO interagency aviation and training. 45(3): 16-17. fire service center. 45(4): 5-6. Transition training. 5. Post a lookout when there is 45(3): 18-20.• Publications possible danger. The National Wildfire 6. Be alert, keep calm, think Coordinating Group's publica­ clearly, act decisively. tion management system unit. 45(4): 7. 7. Maintain prompt communica­ Author Index 1983.45(1): 28. tions with your crew, your boss, Recent Fire Publications. and adjoining forces. ... 45(1): 26; 45(2): 25-26; 45(3): 31; 45(4): 23. 8. Give clear instructions and be Subject Index 1983. 45(1): 29-30. Sure they are understood.

9. Maintain control of your crew at all times.

10. Fight fire aggressively but provide for safety first. •

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