Canadian Wildland Fire Glossary

CIFFC Training Working Group

March 18, 2021

i Preface

The Canadian Wildland Fire Glossary provides the wildland A user’s guide has been developed to provide guidance on fire community a single source for accurate and consistent the development and review of glossary entries. Within wildland fire and incident management terminology used this guide, users, working groups and committees can find by CIFFC and member agencies. instructions on the glossary process; tips for viewing the Consistent use of terminology promotes the efficient glossary on the CIFFC website; guidance for working groups sharing of information, facilitates analysis of data from and committees assigned ownership of glossary terms, disparate sources, improves data integrity, and maximizes including how to request, develop, and revise a glossary the use of shared resources. The glossary is not entry; technical requirements for complete glossary entries; intended to be an exhaustive list of all terms used and a list of contacts for support. by Provincial/Territorial and Federal fire management More specifically, this version reflects numerous additions, agencies. Most terms only have one definition. However, deletions, and edits after careful review from CIFFC agency in some cases a term may be used in differing contexts by staff and CIFFC Working Group members. New features various business areas so multiple definitions are warranted. include an improved font for readability and copying to word processors. Many Incident Command System The glossary takes a significant turn with this 2020 edition Unit Leader positions were added, as were numerous as it will now be updated annually to better reflect the mnemonics. Definitions from the Field Guide tothe evolution of the terms. In addition, it will be produced in Canadian Fire Behaviour Prediction System (Red Book) three languages (French, English, Spanish) including their 3rd Edition have been aligned and simplified wherever correspondence tables. possible.

ii Index

Aboriginal In Canada, the term flows from Canada’s decisions affecting that agency’s participation at Constitution of 1982, which includes North the incident. American First Nations, Inuit, and M´etispeoples Air Attack A fire suppression operation involving the use of Canada. of aircraft to deliver fire fighting suppressants or Abort To cancel an intended maneuver. retardants to a wildfire. Accuracy - air drop The assessment of an airtanker drop Air Attack Officer (AAON) The person responsible in relation to the target. for directing, coordinating, and supervising a fire Aerial Detection A system for or the act of discovering, suppression operation involving the use of aircraft locating, and reporting wildfires from aircraft. to deliver retardants or suppressants on a fire. May be planned or unplanned. Air Cargo All items for transport and delivery by aircraft. Aerial Detection Observer A person specifically assigned Air Mass A meteorological term referring to an extensive to the detection of forest fires from an aircraft. body of air within which the conditions of Aerial Ignition The ignition of fuels by dropping incendiary temperature and moisture in a horizontal plane devices or materials from an aircraft. are essentially uniform. Aerial Ignition Device (AID) Any device used for the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) The person purpose of aerial ignition. primarily responsible for managing the resources After Action Review (AAR) A structured review or de- within the air operations branch, as well as brief process of an event, focused on performance preparing and implementing the air operations standards, that enables participants to discover portion of the Incident Action Plan. Also for themselves what happened, why it happened, responsible for providing logistical support to and how to sustain strengths and improve on helicopters operating on the incident. weaknesses. After action reviews, informal or Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) The person formal, follow the same general format, involve responsible for planning and oversight of incident the exchange of ideas and observations, and focus aircraft support functions (helibase, helispot and on improving performance. Fixed Wing Air Bases). Agency A division of government with a specific function Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) The person offering a particular kind of assistance. In primarily responsible for the coordination of all the Incident Command System, agencies are tactical missions of fixed and/or rotary-wing defined either as jurisdictional (having statutory aircraft operating in incident airspace. The responsibility for incident management) or as function may be performed in an aerial platform assisting or cooperating (providing resources or or ground based. other assistance). Governmental organizations are Air Temperature See Dry-bulb temperature. most often in charge of an incident, though in Airtanker A fixed wing aircraft fitted with tanks and certain circumstances private-sector organizations equipment for dropping suppressants or retardants may be included. Additionally, nongovernmental on fires. They are divided into two categories, organizations may be included to provide support. land-based and skimmer. Agency Dispatch The agency or jurisdictional facility from Airtanker Base An operational base at which airtankers which resources are sent to incidents. are held in readiness for action on fires. Agency Executive or Administrator The official Alert A period when fire fighters, fire control equipment, responsible for administering policy for an and aircraft are kept ready for deployment on short agency or jurisdiction, having full authority for notice, usually when the fire danger reaches a administering policy for an agency or jurisdiction, predetermined degree of severity. having full authority for making decisions, All-hazard / All-risk Describing an incident, natural or and providing direction to the management human caused, that warrants action to protect organization for an incident. life, property, environment, and public health or Agency Representative (AREP) A person assigned by safety, and minimize disruption of government, a primary, assisting, or cooperating agency to an social, and economic activities. incident who has been delegated authority to make Allocated Resources Resources dispatched to an incident.

1 Allowable Burned Area A standard or objective of Action Plan. protection effort set for an area of managed forest Assistant Title for subordinates of the principal or other land. The maximum average annual area Command Staff positions. The title indicates a burned by wildfire over a given period of years that level of technical capability, qualifications, and can be tolerated and sustained for a given area responsibility subordinate to the primary positions. without disrupting overall forest management and Assistants may also be assigned to Unit Leaders. other land use objectives. Assistant Area Commander, Logistics (ACLC) The Anchor Point An advantageous location, usually a barrier person responsible for providing facilities, services to fire spread, from which to start or finish and material at the Area Command level, and construction of a control line. Used to minimize for ensuring effective use of critical resources and the chance of being flanked (or outflanked) by the supplies among the incident management teams. fire while the line is being constructed See LACES. Assisting Agency An agency or organization providing Anemometer A general name for instruments designed to personnel, services, or other resources to the measure wind speed and direction. agency with direct responsibility for incident Anticyclone In meteorology, an area where the management. atmospheric pressure is high relative to the Atmospheric Pressure The gravitational force exerted surrounding area at the same levels and whose by a column of air extending from the point of centre has the highest pressure. Synonym - High concern to the outer limits of the atmosphere. pressure. Recommended unit is the kilopascal (kPa), Area Command (AC) An organization established to although millibar (mb) has been the most common oversee the management of multiple incidents unit of measurement. that are each being handled by a separate Atmospheric Stability A meteorological term referring to Incident Command System organization, or to the resistance of the atmosphere to turbulence oversee the management of a very large or and vertical motion (upward). With reference evolving incident that has multiple incident to fire management activities the atmosphere is management teams engaged. An Agency usually described as neutral, stable, or unstable Executive/Administrator or other public official with respect to the dry adiabatic lapse rate. with jurisdictional responsibility for the incident Attack The actual physical fire fighting operation. usually makes the decision to establish an Area Available Fuel The quantity of fuel in a particular fuel type Command. An Area Command is activated only that would actually be consumed under specified if necessary, depending on the complexity of the burning conditions. incident and span-of-control considerations. Available Resources Resources assigned to an incident Area Commander (ACDR) The person responsible to that are checked in and available for a mission manage a very large incident that has multiple assignment; normally located in a Staging Area. IMTs assigned. These teams may be established Back See Rear of Fire. any time the incidents are close enough that Backfire A fire spreading, or set to spread, into or against oversight direction is required. the wind. Armed A description used by the airtanker pilot to declare Backfiring A form of indirect attack where extensive fire is that the drop system is set to allow immediate set along the inner edge of a control line or natural release of the load or any part thereof as previously barrier, usually some distance from the wildfire requested by the birddog. and taking advantage of indrafts, to consume fuels Aspect The direction that a slope is facing. in the path of the fire, and thereby halt or retard Aspirate To draw in air by suction. The aspirating the progress of the fire front. nozzle draws air into the nozzle to mix with foam Backpack Pump A portable water container, equipped solution. with carrying straps, discharge hose and hand Aspirating Nozzle A foam generating device that mixes pump carried on the back; used for applying air at atmospheric pressure with foam solution in water in suppression and mop-up operations. a nozzle chamber. These are classified as a)collapsible (usually Assigned Resources Resources checked in and assigned rubber) to reduce space required for storage and work tasks on an incident. transportation or b) rigid (hard plastic or metal Assignments Tasks given to resources to perform within container). a given operational period that are based on Base Leg The leg of the bombing circuit immediately operational objectives defined in the Incident preceding and perpendicular to the final leg.

2 Base, Incident The location at which primary Logistics a Show Me Run to indicate target location. May functions for an incident are coordinated and be given as Bombs Away Now, Target Now, Start administered. There is only one Base per incident. Now. (Incident name or other designator will be added Branch The organizational level having functional or to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post geographical responsibility for major aspects of may be co-located with the Incident Base. incident operations. A Branch is organizationally Base/Camp Manager (BCMG) The person responsible situated between the Section Chief and the for appropriate sanitation and facility management Division or Group in the Operations Section, services in the assigned Base or Camp. and between Section and Units in the Logistics Batch Mix Manually adding one suppressant ingredient to Section. Branches are identified by the use of another to develop the final product. Batching can Roman numerals or by functional name. involve a powder and a liquid or two liquids. For Branch Director The person responsible for implementing foams, it is the process of manually pouring foam the portion of the Incident Action plan applicable concentrate into water to make a foam solution. to the assigned Branch. Foam is produced when the solution is pumped Break - airtanker A command for an aircraft to down a hose and out an aspirating nozzle. For immediately turn left or right. fire retardants it is the process of adding powder Broadcast Burning Intentional burning of debris on a to a measured amount of water and mechanically designated unit of land, where the fuel has not agitating it to produce fire retardant. been piled or windrowed, allowing fire to spread Batch Mixer The container in which batching is done. freely over the entire area. In retardant mixing operations, it is a tank, Bucker An individual who is certified to operate a chainsaw usually 4550 litres (1,000 gallons), in which on trees already on the ground. powdered retardant and water are mixed together Buildup The hourly increase in cumulus cloud cover over by mechanical means to produce the final product. the course of a day; also can refer to the increase Bay That portion of a fire edge, usually between fingers, in resources on a given fire. where fire spread is slower. This pattern usually Buildup Index (BUI) A numerical rating of the total results from the forest fuel or slope being less amount of fuel available for combustion that conducive to fire spread in the area where the bay combines the Duff Moisture Code and Drought is formed. Code. Beaufort Wind Scale A method for estimating wind Bull’s-Eye/Bullseye An assessment that the aircraft drop speed based on the observation of visual indicators was placed exactly where requested. of wind effects (e.g. smoke drift, flag and Burn Severity Organic matter consumption from flaming tree movement). Suggested for use when an and smouldering combustion, and the resulting anemometer is lacking or is not in operating ecosystem impacts. Can be assessed in the field condition. or using satellite remote sensing techniques. Birddog Aircraft An aircraft carrying the person (Air Burn Window A time period within a short-term Attack Officer) directing the fire bombing action planning horizon in which the forecasted fire on the fire. weather is within the previously determined Bladder Portable, collapsible, soft material container, range in order to proceed with a prescribed transported externally by helicopter and used to burn. Typically incorporating aspects of both transport water. Often used for providing small atmospheric conditions such as the Initial Spread water supply to field staff in remote locations. The Index, as well as fuel dryness, such as the Buildup sealed unit has filling and discharge ports, most Index. often in a triangular shape and has built in straps Burn-P3 Short for probability, prediction, and planning, with rings for hook up for slinging by helicopter. Burn-P3 is a spatial fire simulation model that is Blowup A somewhat sudden, and sometimes unexpected, used for land-management planning and wildland major increase in rate of spread and head fire fire research. It uses the Canadian Wildland Fire intensity sufficient to upset overall fire suppression Simulation Model to determine the ignition and action or plans. Blowups can result from small or spread of a very large number of fires in order to large fire situations. determine fire likelihood. Bomb Run The path the airtanker flies on the approach Burning Conditions The state of the combined up to the target. components of the fire environment that influence Bombs Away Now A voice signal from the birddog on fire behaviour and fire impacting a given fuel type.

3 Usually specified in terms of such factors asfire danger in Canada. The CFFDRS includes all weather elements, fire danger indexes, fuel load, guides to the evaluation of fire danger and the and slope. prediction of fire behaviour such as the Canadian Burning Off A fire suppression operation where fire is set Forest Fire Weather Index System and Canadian to consume islands of unburned fuel inside the fire Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System. perimeter usually during mop-up operations. Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System A Burning Out A fire suppression operation where fire is set component of the Forest Fire Danger Assessment along the inside edge of a control line or natural Methodology. The components of the Canadian barrier to consume unburned fuel between the Forest Fire Danger Index Method provide a line and the fire perimeter, thereby reinforcing the relative numerical assessment of the potential fire existing line and speeding up the control effort. danger in a benchmark fuel type (a mature jack Generally a limited, small-scale routine operation pine stand) and in flat terrain. The results are as opposed to backfiring. based solely on successive observations, measured Burning Period That part of each 24-hour day when fires with a suitable weather station at noon each day are generally the most active. Typically, this is (12:00 noon solar time or 1:00 p.m. daylight from mid -morning to sundown, although it varies time), of four (4) weather parameters: air with latitude and the time of year. temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and Burning Prescription A written statement and/or list precipitation. The method described above is defining the objectives to be attained from applied uniformly across Canada. prescribed burning, as well as the burning Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) conditions under which fire will be allowed to Founded in 1982, CIFFC has a mandate to provide burn, generally expressed as acceptable ranges operational wildland fire management services of the various parameters, and the limit of the to member agencies that will, by agreement, geographical area to be covered. gather, analyse, and disseminate fire management Burnover An event in which a fire moves through a information to ensure a cost effective sharing location or overtakes personnel or equipment of resources; and actively promote, develop, where there is no opportunity to utilize escape refine, standardise, and provide services to routes and safety zones, often resulting in personal member agencies that will improve wildland fire injury or equipment damage. management in Canada. Byram’s Fireline Intensity see Fire Intensity. Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Cache A pre-determined complement of tools, equipment, Representative (CREP) The CIFFC and/or supplies stored in a designated location, Representative (CREP) utilizes a variety of skills available for incident use. and abilities to provide coordination services Called Shot A drop technique whereby the birddog triggers between the CIFFC Duty Officer/Operations the airtanker drop by voice command, saying “3, Manager and the Receiving Agency Duty Officer 2, 1, now”. and their associated support staff, along with Camp A geographical site within the general incident liaising with any Senior Agency Representative area, (separate from the Incident Base), equipped (SREP) and Agency Representative (AREPs) from and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water, and assisting CIFFC member agencies. sanitary services to incident personnel. Canadian Wildland Fire Simulation Model A Campaign Fire A fire of such size, complexity deterministic wildland fire growth simulation and/or priority that its extinction requires a model based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger large organization, high resource commitment, Rating System. The model computes spatially- significant expenditure, and prolonged suppression explicit fire behaviour and spread outputs given activity. fuel, topography and weather inputs. Canadian Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System Cargo Dropping The dropping of equipment or supplies (FBP) A subsystem of the Canadian Forest from an aircraft in flight, with or without a Fire Danger Rating System. The FBP System parachute. provides quantitative outputs of fire behaviour Cargo Net A special net, approved by the Ministry of characteristics for certain major Canadian fuel Transport, attached by a lanyard to a helicopter types and topographic situations. cargo hook and used to haul supplies. Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System Centrifugal Pump A pump that expels water by (CFFDRS) The national system of rating fire centrifugal force through the ports of a circular

4 impeller rotating at high speed. This type of pump by the movement of a visible flame through allows the discharge line to be shut off while the the fuel bed. On the other hand, smouldering pump is running. or glowing combustion is generally associated Certification A formal process by which a recognized with the residual burning of forest fuels following individual or body (government or non- flaming combustion. government) assesses and recognizes that an Command The act of directing, ordering, or controlling individual has demonstrated competence in a by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated specific position or role. authority. Chain of Command A series of command, control, Command Staff The Command Staff consists of the executive, or management positions in hierarchical Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison order of authority. Officer. They report directly to the Incident Charcoal Phase of Combustion Charcoal phase or solid Commander. They may have (an) Assistant(s), phase, is when the output of flammable gases from as needed. the material is too low for persistent presence of Commisarry Manager (CMSY) The person responsible flame and the charred fuel does not burn rapidly for commissary operations and security. (just glows) and later smoulders. Communications The concept by which all personnel Charged Line A line of fire hose filled with water under assigned to an incident must have a quick, reliable, pressure. and tested way to communicate with others. This Check-in Process in which all responders, regardless of may be by direct radio contact, or through a agency affiliation, must report in to receive an lookout or other relay point. See LACES. assignment in accordance with the procedures Communications Technician (COMT) The person established by the Incident Commander. responsible for installing, maintaining, and Chicot A standing dead tree or a dead limb of a tree that tracking communications equipment. may endanger a worker. Communications Unit An organizational Unit in Chief The ICS title for individuals responsible for the Logistics Section responsible for providing management of functional sections: Operations, communication services to an incident. Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration. Communications Unit Leader (COML) The person Circuit Altitude The highest altitude in the circuit the responsible for developing plans for the airtanker will attain during skimming operations. effective use of incident communications Claims Specialist (CLMS) The person who is responsible equipment and facilities; installing and testing for managing all claims related activities (other communications equipment; supervising the than injury) for an incident. Incident Communications Center; distributing Clerk (CLRK) The person responsible for providing communications equipment to incident personnel; administrative support to any Section as assigned. and maintaining and repairing communications Clock Method A means of referencing a target or point equipment. by using the clock direction. Compacts Formal working agreements among agencies to Closed Area An area in which specified activities or entry obtain mutual aid. are temporarily restricted by agency legislation to Compartmented Tank - airtanker An external or internal reduce the risk of human-caused fire. In some tank containing several different compartments, jurisdictions a closed area is called a restricted each with its own door. The doors may be travel zone or a restricted fire zone. opened individually, simultaneously or in sequence Cold Trailing A method of determining whether or not to affect a desired retardant or water pattern on a fire is still burning, involving careful inspection the ground. Note that once a door opens the and feeling with the hand, or by use of a hand-held entire contents of that compartment are released. infrared scanner, to detect any heat source. Compensation Unit/Claims Unit Functional unit within Combination Nozzle Used for applying water as either a the Finance/Administration Section responsible solid stream or a fixed spray pattern. for financial concerns resulting from property Combustion A chemical oxidation-type process in which damage, injuries, or fatalities at the incident. heat is produced (i.e. a substance is combined Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP) The with oxygen). In the case of forest fires, living and person responsible for the overall management and dead fuels are converted to mainly carbon dioxide direction of all administrative matters pertaining and water vapour, and heat energy is released to compensation for injury and claims-related very rapidly. Flaming combustion is characterized activities related to an incident.

5 Complex Two or more individual incidents located in the square foot area. e.g. Coverage level 4 equals same general area and assigned to a single Incident an application rate of 4 U.S. gallons per 100 sq. Commander or to Unified Command. ft of surface area. Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) A foam system Crew - Type 1 (CRW1) The primary fire response which combines air under pressure with foam force consisting of 3 to 21 persons and meeting solution to create foam in the hose. all requirements of the Interagency Exchange Conduction Transfer of heat through solid matter. Standards. Conflagration A popular term for a large, fast- moving Crew - Type 2 (CRW2) Crews intended for utilization wildfire exhibiting many or all of the features on low to moderate complexity sustained action associated with extreme fire behaviour. operations and meeting all requirements of the Consequence Outcome of an event affecting objectives. Interagency Exchange Standards. Continuous Crown Fire A high-intensity crown fire with Crew - Type 3 (CRW3) Generally made up of temporary a crown fraction burned greater than 90 percent. firefighter forces used for mop-up situations Control Line A comprehensive term for all constructed or that have received some type of basic agency natural fire barriers and treated fire perimeter used firefighting training. to control a fire. Crew Leader - Type 1 (CRL1) The person who is the Control Time The periods from initial attack until the fire primary supervisor in command of usually 2 to 20 is considered Under Control. Type 1 crew members and responsible for their Convection Transfer of heat by the movement of masses performance, safety, and welfare while maintaining of hot air; the natural direction is upwards in the span of control. the absence of any appreciable wind speed and/or Crew Leader - Type 2 (CRL2) A wildfire crew leader slope. is the primary supervisor in command of usually Convection Column The definable plume of hot gases, 2-20 Type 2 crew members and responsible smoke, firebrands, and other combustion by- for their performance, safety and welfare, while products produced by, and rising above, a fire. maintaining span of control. Cooperating Agency An agency supplying assistance Crew Leader - Type 3 (CRL3) A wildfire crew leader other than direct operational, support functions, is the primary supervisor in command of usually or resources, to the incident management effort. 2-20 Type 3 crew members and responsible Coordination Centre A facility that is used for the for their performance, safety and welfare, while coordination of agency or jurisdictional resources maintaining span of control. in support of one or more incidents. Crew Member - Type 1 (CRM1) A wildfire crewmember Cost Sharing Agreements Agreements between agencies is used in the control or suppression of a wildfire, or jurisdictions to share designated costs related to and works as a member of a Type 1 wildfire crew. incidents. Cost sharing agreements are normally Crew Member - Type 2 (CRM2) A wildfire crewmember written but may also be oral between authorized is used in the control or suppression of a wildfire, agency or jurisdictional representatives at the and works as a member of a Type 2 wildfire crew. incident. Crew Member - Type 3 (CRM3) A wildfire crewmember Cost Unit Functional unit within the Finance/Administration is used in the control or suppression of a wildfire, Section responsible for tracking costs, analysing and works as a member of a Type 3 wildfire crew. cost data, making cost estimates, and Crossover The point at which the relative humidity is less recommending cost-saving measures. than, or equal to, the ambient air temperature. Cost Unit Leader (COST) The person responsible May be used as an indicator of extreme burning for collecting all cost data, performing cost- conditions. effectiveness analyses, and providing cost Crosswind leg The leg of the circuit over an airport or estimates and cost-saving recommendations. bombing target that precedes the downwind leg. Coupling, quick-connect, external-lug A cast or forged Crown Base Height The height, above ground, where the metal hose coupling that incorporates a universal live crown of coniferous trees begins. coupling system with two external fitting lugs. Crown Fire A fire that advances through the crown fuel Cover Type The designation of a vegetation complex layer, usually in conjunction with a surface fire. according to its dominant species, age, and/or Crown Fraction Burned (CFB) The proportion of tree form. crowns involved in the fire in a given area. Coverage Level Represents the volume of water or Between 10 and 89 percent is considered an retardant in U.S. gallons over a one hundred intermittent crown fire, while over 90 percent is

6 a continuous crown fire. of climb. Crown Fuels The standing and supported forest Depth of Burn (DOB) The reduction in forest combustibles not in direct contact with the ground floor thickness due to consumption by fire. that are generally only consumed in crown fires Recommended unit is centimetres (cm). (e.g. foliage, twigs, branches, cones). Deputy A fully qualified individual who, in the absence ofa Crown Scorch Browning of the needles or leaves in the superior, can be delegated the authority to manage crown of a tree or shrub caused by the heat rising a functional operation or perform a specific task. above a surface fire as a result of convection. In some cases, a Deputy can act as relief for a Crowning A fire ascending into the crowns of trees and superior, and therefore must be fully qualified in spreading from crown to crown. the position. Deputies generally can be assigned Daily Severity Rating (DSR) A numerical measure, based to the Incident Commander, General Staff, and on the Fire Weather Index (FWI), specifically Branch Directors. designed for averaging over any desired period of Detection Aircraft An aircraft deployed for the express time (e.g. week, month, year), at either a single purpose of discovering, locating, and reporting fire weather station or spatially over a number of wildfires. stations. Detection Pattern A predetermined flight plan for Damage Appraisal A method of determining financial or detection aircraft. other losses resulting from a wildfire. Dew Point Temperature The temperature to which air Danger Tree A tree that is hazardous because of location must be cooled to reach saturation at a constant or lean, physical damage, overhead hazards, atmospheric pressure. The dew point is always deterioration of the limbs, stem or root system, lower than the wet-bulb temperature which in turn or any combination thereof. is always lower than the dry-bulb temperature. Degree of Curing The proportion of cured and/or dead The only exception to this occurs when the air is plant material in a grassland fuel complex. saturated (i.e. relative humidity is 100 percent), Delayed Aerial Ignition Device (DAID) An incendiary in which case all three are equal. Recommended device producing a chemical reaction which, when unit is degrees Celsius. dropped from a flying aircraft, will ignite after a Dewpoint Depression The difference in degrees predetermined elapsed time. between the air temperature and the dewpoint. Delegation of Authority A statement provided to the Recommended unit is degrees Celsius. Incident Commander by the Agency Executive Difficulty of Control The amount of effort required delegating authority and assigning responsibility. to contain and mop up a fire based on its The Delegation of Authority can include behaviour and persistence as determined by the objectives, priorities, expectations, constraints, fire environment. and other considerations or guidelines as needed. Direct Attack The fire is attached immediately adjacent Many agencies require written Delegation of to the burning fuel; action is taken directly on the Authority to be given to Incident Commanders active flame front. Burning fuels are separated prior to their assuming command on larger from unburned fuels. incidents. Director The ICS title for individuals responsible for the Demobilization The orderly, safe, and efficient return of supervision of a Branch. an incident resource to its original location and Discovery Determination that a fire exists at a specific status. location; in contrast to action related to detection, Demobilization Unit Functional unit within the Planning reporting of the fire is not required. Section responsible for assuring orderly, safe, and Discovery Time The period from the start of a fire efficient demobilization of any incident resources (estimated or known) until the time the fire was to the original location and status. discovered. Demobilization Unit Leader The person responsible for Dispatch The ordered movement of a resource or preparing the Demobilization Plan and schedule, resources to an assigned operational mission or an ensuring an orderly, safe, and efficient movement administrative move from one location to another. of personnel and equipment from the incident. Dispatcher (DISP) The person responsible for notifying Density Altitude Altitude as determined by pressure resources to assigned incidents. altitude and existing air temperature. Density Divert The action of changing assignment from one target altitude is used as an index to aircraft performance or fire to another. characteristics such as take-off distance and rate Division The partition of an incident into geographical

7 areas of operation. Divisions are established when moisture content of deep, compact organic layers. the number of resources exceeds the manageable This code indicates seasonal drought effects on span of control of the Operations Chief. A division forest fuels, and the amount of smouldering in is located within the ICS organization between the deep duff layers and large logs. Branch and resources in the Operations Section. Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate A meteorological term Division Supervisor (DIVS) The person responsible for referring to the rate of decrease of temperature supervising equipment and personnel assigned to with height of a parcel of dry air ascending in a division. Reports to a Branch Director or the atmosphere without mixing or heat exchange. Operations Section Chief. A typical value is approximately 1 degree Celsius Documentation Unit Functional unit within the Planning per 100 metres of altitude. Conversely, dry air Section responsible for collecting, recording, descending in the atmosphere warms at the same and safeguarding all documents relevant to the rate. incident. Dry Foam A type of foam with very thin bubble walls Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL) The person and only small amounts of solution between the responsible for maintaining accurate and complete bubbles. These types of foams have very slow incident files, providing duplication services to drainage rates. incident personnel, and packing and storing Dry Lightning Storm A thunderstorm with negligible incident files. precipitation reaching the ground. Door Interval The time delay between doors for any drop Dry-bulb Temperature The temperature registered by sequence. a dry-bulb thermometer, and identical to the Door Length The distance actually covered by a single temperature of the air in the normal sense. door of the load on the ground. Recommended unit is degrees Celsius. Double Door A technique whereby two doors are opened Duff The layer of partially and fully decomposed organic simultaneously from a compartmentalized tank. materials lying below the litter and immediately Double Door Salvo A technique whereby two doors are above the mineral soil. It corresponds to the opened simultaneously. fermentation (F) and humus (H) layers of the Downwind Leg The leg of the bombing circuit forest floor. When moss is present, the top ofthe immediately preceding and perpendicular to the duff is just below the green portion of the moss. base leg. Duff Moisture Code (DMC) A numerical rating of the Dozer Boss (DOZB) The person responsible to lead average moisture content of loosely compacted a single bulldozer and attached personnel and organic layers of moderate depth. This code is responsible for their safety on wildland and indicates the fuel consumption in moderate duff prescribed fire incidents. layers and medium-sized woody material. Drift - airtanker drop Advice or indication that a Early - drop Advice that the drop is to be or was triggered wind condition exists of sufficient velocity to short of a designated point. significantly affect aerial drop placements and that Ecosystem impacts Disturbance characteristics such as a correction factor must be allowed for wind drift. portion of vegetation killed or damaged, effects Drift Smoke Smoke that has drifted from its origin and on soil organisms, and post-fire regeneration has lost any column structure. patterns. Drip Torch A hand-held incendiary device that releases Eductor A proportioning device using vacuum created by a slow-burning flaming fuel at a predetermined rate. liquid moving through a hose line to draw another Drop Height The height of the airtanker at load release, liquid into the stream. usually given in feet above the tree canopy. Effective Wind Speed The sum of the vectors of the 10- Drop Leg A part of the airtanker circuit. The approach m open wind speed and the slope equivalent wind and departure from the target. speed. Drop Sequence The order and method in which the doors Elliptical Fire Growth Model A model of a free- are opened. burning point source fire with an elliptical shape. Drop Zone The area immediately surrounding or adjacent Assumptions include uniform and constant fuels, to the airtanker intended target. homogeneous topography, constant but non-zero Drought A period of relatively long duration with wind, and no suppression. substantially less than normal precipitation, Emergency dump Release of an aircraft’s entire load due occurring usually over a wide area. to an emergency. Drought Code (DC) A numerical rating of the average Emergency Fire Fighter (EFF) Personnel other than

8 regular employees or seasonally employed crews, content that a fuel element would attain if hired on a casual basis for presuppression and exposed for an infinite period in an environment suppression related work activities. of specified constant dry-bulb temperature and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) The physical relative humidity. When a fuel element has location at which the coordination of information reached its EMC, it neither gains nor loses and resources to support incident management moisture as long as conditions remain constant. (on-scene operations) activities normally takes Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) The Equipment place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or Time Recorder is responsible for tracking and may be located in a more central or permanently posting equipment time on an incident. established facility, perhaps at a higher level Escape Route A pre-determined route that can be used of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs by anyone in the event that a fire begins an may be organized by major functional disciplines unexpected run that will jeopardize the safety of (e.g., fire, law enforcement, medical services), crews or anyone else on the fire line. The escape by jurisdiction (e.g., federal, provincial, regional, route will take everyone to another pre-determined municipal), or by some combination thereof. location (safety zone). Sometimes referred to as Emergency Coordination Escaped Fire A wildfire (or prescribed fire that has burned Centre (ECC). beyond its intended area) that remains not under Emergency Operations Plan The ongoing plan control following initial attack. maintained by various jurisdictional levels for Escaped Fire Analysis The process of deciding what responding to a wide variety of potential hazards. action to take on an escaped fire. This involves Engine Specialized truck on which is mounted a water a review and analysis of the threats to public tank, pump, hose and supplementary equipment. safety, values, resource management objectives, It is used to bring a self contained water source to probable fire effects, existing fire load, present a fire with the capability of pumping water through and anticipated fire behaviour, availability of fire a hose line directly from the tank to a fire. suppression resources, probability of successful Engine - Type 3 An engine equipped with a 150 gallons control, and feasible fire suppression methods. per minute pump at 250 psi, capacity over 500 Excursion An unplanned but acceptable enlargement of gallons and 500 ft of 1.5 inch hose. the area intended to be treated with prescribed Engine - Type 4 An engine equipped with a 50 gallons per fire which does not greatly affect any values and minute pump at 100 psi, capacity over 750 gallons involves a minimum of suppression effort. and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. Expendable equipment Items that cannot be reused, Engine - Type 5 An engine equipped with a 50 gallons refurbished, or recycled. per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 400 to 700 Exposure Proportion of amount of a value that interacts gallons and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. with a hazard. Exposure is a function of time Engine - Type 6 An engine equipped with a 30 gallons and distance based on the physical process being per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 150 to 400 considered (i.e. ember transport versus radiant gallons and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. heating). Engine - Type 7 An engine equipped with a 10 gallons Extend - airtanker Either (1) An instruction to aircraft per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 50 to 200 to tag on and continue the line in the required gallons and 200 ft of 1.5 inch hose. direction; or (2) Instruction to extend a circuit, Engine Boss (ENGB) The person that leads a single fire leg or bomb run beyond a designated point. engine and attached personnel and is responsible Extreme Fire Behaviour A level of fire behaviour that for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire often precludes any fire suppression action. It incidents. usually involves one or more of the following Engine operator (ENOP) The person responsible for the characteristics: high rate of spread and head fire safe and efficient use of a wildland fire engine on intensity, crowning, prolific spotting, presence of an incident. large fire whirls, and a well-established convection Entrapment A situation where personnel are unexpectedly column. Fires exhibiting such phenomena often caught in a fire behaviour-related position where behave in an erratic and dangerous manner. planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, Facilities Unit Functional unit within the Support Branch inadequate, or compromised. These situations of the Logistics Section that provides fixed may or may not result in injury. facilities for the incident. These facilities may Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) The moisture include the Incident Base, feeding areas, sleeping

9 areas, sanitary facilities, etc. under the planning function of a fire incident Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) The person responsible for management team, responsible for making laying out and operating incident facilities (Base, predictions of probable fire behaviour based on an Camp(s), and ICP) and managing Base and Camp analysis of the current and forecasted state of the operations. Each Base and Camp may be assigned fire environment. a manager. Fire Behaviour Triangle An instructional aid in which the Faller (FALL) A person who is qualified under workplace sides of an equilateral triangle represent the three regulations to fall non-danger trees on an incident. interacting components of the fire environment False Smoke Any phenomenon mistaken for smoke. that are responsible for fire behaviour (i.e. fire Field Observer (FOBS) The person responsible for weather, fuels, and topography). collecting incident status information from Fire Benefits Any effect(s) of fire that are favourable personal observations at the incident and or beneficial in terms of the attainment of forest providing this information to the activated management and other land use objectives. function, or other resources. Fire Bust Several forest fires usually ignited by lightning Final - drop A low level route to the target in which the striking simultaneously in the same region. airtanker intends to make the drop. The final leg is Fire Cache Manager (FCMG) The person responsible the last leg of the bombing circuit, perpendicular for the supervision of the supply of fire equipment to the base leg. assembled in planned quantities or at a strategic Finance/Administration Section The Section location. responsible for all administrative and financial Fire Cause Categories based on the cause of wildfires considerations surrounding an incident. divided into: Natural (Lightning, Natural Other), Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC) Human (Forest Industry, Incendiary, Human The person responsible for all financial, Other, Other Industry/Government, Railroads, administrative, and cost analysis aspects of the Recreation, Resident), and Undetermined. incident and for supervising members of the Fire Cause - Human - Forest Industry A wildfire caused Finance/Administration Section. by people or machines engaged in any activity Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) A numerical rating associated with forest product production. of the moisture content of litter and other cured Fire Cause - Human - Human Other A wildfire of known fine fuels. This code indicates the relative easeof human cause that cannot be properly classified ignition and flammability of fine fuel. under any of the other standard human classes Fine Fuels Fuels that dry quickly, ignite readily, and are listed. consumed rapidly by fire. Examples include: cured Fire Cause - Human - Incendiary A wildfire wilfully grass, fallen leaves, needles, and small twigs. started for the purpose of mischief, grudge, or Finger Burned areas projecting from the main body of the illegitimate gain. fire resulting in an irregular fire perimeter. See Fire Cause - Human - Other Industry / Government A Parts of a Fire. wildfire caused by industrial operations other than Fire (1) Simultaneous release of heat, light, and forest industry or railroads. Includes municipal, flame, generated by the combustion of flammable provincial, or federal works projects whether material. (2) In a wider sense, any outbreak of employees, agents, or contractors. fire. Fire Cause - Human - Railroads A wildfire caused Fire Analysis Review of fire management actions taken by any machine, employee, agent, or contractor with respect to a specific fire, group of fires, orfire performing work associated with a railway season in order to identify reasons for effective and operation, or a passenger on a train. ineffective actions and to recommend or prescribe Fire Cause - Human - Recreation A wildfire caused ways and means of doing a more efficient job. by people or equipment engaged in a recreational Fire Axe A single bit fire line axe with a wooden or activity (e.g. vacationing, fishing, picnicking, non- fiberglass handle. The style of the axe headis commercial berry picking, hiking). commonly referred to as the ”Dayton” pattern. Fire Cause - Human - Resident A wildfire resulting Fire Behaviour The manner in which fuel ignites, from activity performed by people or machines for flame develops, and fire spreads and exhibits the purpose of agriculture, or an accidental fire other related phenomena as determined by the caused by activity associated with normal living in interaction of fuels, weather, and topography. a forested area. Fire Behaviour Analyst (FBAN) A specialist position Fire Cause - Human - Undetermined A wildfire of

10 undetermined cause, including a wildfire that is forest fires, expressed in monetary or other terms, currently under investigation, as well as one where based on a systematic assessment of fire benefits the investigation has been completed. and impacts. Fire Cause - Natural - Lightning A wildfire caused Fire Environment The surrounding conditions, influences, directly or indirectly by lightning. and modifying forces of topography, fuel, and fire Fire Cause - Natural - Natural Other A wildfire of known weather that determine fire behaviour. natural cause other than lightning. Fire Environment Triangle see fire triangle. Fire Climate The composite pattern or integration over Fire Equipment Cache A supply of fire fighting tools time of the fire weather elements that affect fire and equipment in planned quantities or standard occurrence and fire behaviour in a given area. units at a strategic point for exclusive use in fire Fire Cycle The number of years required to burn over an suppression. area equal to the entire area of interest. Fire Frequency The average number of fires that occur Fire Danger A general term used to express an assessment per unit time at a given point. of both fixed and variable factors of the fire Fire Front The strip of primarily flaming combustion along environment that determine the ease of ignition, the fire perimeter; a particularly active fire edge. rate of spread, difficulty of control, and fire Fine fuels typically produce a narrow fire front, impact. whereas dry, heavy fuels produce a wider zone or Fire Danger Class A segment of a fire danger index band of flames. scale identified by a descriptive term (e.g. Low, Fire Hazard A general term to describe the potential Moderate, High, Extreme), and/or a colour code. fire behaviour, without regard to the state of The classification system may be based on one or weather-influenced fuel moisture content, and/or more fire danger indexes (e.g. the Buildup Index resistance to fireguard construction for a given fuel is sometimes used in addition to the Fire Weather type. This may be expressed in either the absolute Index). (e.g. cured grass is a fire hazard) or comparative Fire Danger Index A quantitative indicator of one of (e.g. clear-cut logging slash is a greater fire hazard more facets of fire danger, expressed either ina than a deciduous cover type) sense. Such an relative sense or as an absolute measure; often assessment is based on physical fuel characteristics used as a guide in a variety of fire management (e.g. fuel arrangement, fuel load, condition of activities (e.g. to judge day-to-day preparedness herbaceous vegetation, presence of ladder fuels). and suppression requirements, as a basis for Fire History The study and/or compilation of evidence providing information on fire danger to the general (e.g. historical documents, fire reports, fire scars, public in fire prevention, as an aid to prescribed tree growth rings, charcoal deposits) that records burning). the occurrence and effects of past wildfires foran Fire Danger Rating The process of systematically area. evaluating and integrating the individual Fire Impacts The immediately evident effect of fire on and combined factors influencing fire danger the ecosystem in terms of physical, biological and represented in the form of fire danger indexes. ecological alterations. Fire Dependent Ecosystems An ecosystem can be Fire Intensity The amount of heat or energy released per considered fire dependent if periodic fire is unit length of fire front. Frontal fire intensity essential for maintaining the character, diversity is a major determinant of certain fire effets and and vigour of the intrinsic plant and animal difficulty of control. Numerically, it is equal to communities. the product of the net heat of combustion, the Fire Detection A system for, or the act of, discovering, quantity of fuel consumed in the flaming front, locating, and reporting wildfires. and the linear rate of spread. Fire Ecology The study of the relationships between fire, Fire Interval The average number of years between the the physical environment, and living organisms. occurrence of fires at a given point. Fire Edge See fire perimeter. Fire Investigator (FINV) The person responsible for Fire Effects Physical, biological and ecological changes determining the origin, cause and development of to resources and assets caused by fire, whether a wildland fire. immediate or long-term. May be detrimental, Fire Load The number and magnitude (i.e. fire size beneficial, or benign. class and head fire intensity) of all fires requiring Fire Effects Value Appraisal Determination of the net suppression action during a given period within a gains or losses resulting directly or indirectly from specified area.

11 Fire Management The activities concerned with the reports vary in form and detail from agency to protection of people, property, and forest areas agency. from wildfire, and the use of prescribed burning, Fire Response - Full Response (FUL) A wildfire for the attainment of forest management and which requires immediate, aggressive initial attack other land use objectives, all conducted in a and/or sustained suppression action until the fire manner that considers environmental, social, and is declared out. See Fire Response type. economic criteria. Fire Response - Modified Response (MOD) A Fire Management Decision Support System A generic wildfire that is managed using a combination term for the various systems used by fire of suppression techniques, including direct and management agencies in Canada that employ indirect attack as well as monitoring to steer, computer software designed to facilitate the contain or otherwise manage fire activity within a storage, compilation, analysis and display of fire pre-determined perimeter such that costs and/or intelligence data and other related information on damage are minimized and/or benefits from the the fire environment, fire suppression resources, fire are maximized. See Fire Response type. fire occurrences, values-at-risk, etc. in support Fire Response - Monitored Response (MON) A of planning and daily operational decision making wildfire that is observed and assessed to determine with respect to wildfires and prescribed fires. the response option required to minimize social Fire Management Plan A statement of policy and disruption and/or significant value and resource prescribed actions with respect to a specific area impacts while achieving beneficial ecological, (may include maps, charts, and statistical data). economic or resource management objectives. See Fire Management Planning The systematic, Fire Response type. technological, and administrative management Fire Response Type A category indicating the response process of determining the organization, facilities, to the fire, divided into one of three catagories resources, and procedures required to protect including a three letter code: Full response (FUL), people, property, and forest areas from fire and Modified Response (MOD), and Monitored to use fire to accomplish forest management and Response (MON). other land use objectives. Fire Retardant A substance that physically or chemically Fire Occurrence The number of fires started in a given reduces the flammability of fuels. There are two area over a given period of time. (2) types: short term retardant and long term Fire Perimeter The entire outer edge boundary of a fire. retardant. Fire Prevention Activities directed at reducing fire Fire Run A term normally associated with the rapid occurrence; includes public education, law advance of a wildfire characterized by a marked enforcement, personal contact, and reduction of increase in rate of spread and a corresponding fire hazards and risks. increase in head fire intensity with respect to that Fire Progression Map A map maintained to show at given seen before and following the event. times the location of the fire perimeter and spot Fire Scar An injury or wound on a tree caused or fires, deployment of resources, and fire suppression accentuated by fire. activities (e.g. constructed fireguard). Fire Scouting Reconnaissance of a fire and its Fire Rake A long-handled combination rake and cutting surroundings by any means to obtain fire tool, the blade of which is made up of a single intelligence information. row of mowing-machine cutter teeth. Useful for Fire Season The period(s) of the year during which fires trenching, scraping, and cutting, particularly in are likely to start, spread, and do damage to leaves, pine needles, and light duff. values-at-risk sufficient to warrant organized fire Fire Regime The kind of fire activity or pattern of fires suppression; a period of the year set out and that generally characterize a given area. Some commonly referred to in fire prevention legislation. important elements of the characteristic pattern The fire season is usually further divided onthe include fire cycle or fire interval, fire season, and basis of the seasonal flammability of fuel types the number, type, and intensity of fires. (e.g. spring, summer, and fall). Fire Report An official report of a fire, generally including Fire Severity Characteristic of the fire regime. Fire severity information on cause, location, action taken, refers to the effects of fire on the quality ofthe damage, and costs from start of the fire until seedbed and on the underground parts of the completion of suppression action. The report is plants that trigger regeneration after fire. It is usually accompanied by a map of the burn. These related to the depth of burning, fire intensity,

12 residence time, etc. period (12 hours) and require an IAP. See Incident Fire Shovel A type of shovel specifically designed for use - Type 3. in constructing a fire line, having a tapered blade Fire Types - Type 4 Initial attack or first response to with both edges sharpened. Used for scraping, an incident; Incident Commander is a hands on digging, grubbing, throwing and cutting. leader and performs all functions of Operations, Fire Simulator A training device that imposes simulated Logistics, Planning, and Finance; few resources fire and smoke and depictions of fire suppression are used (several individuals or a single strike measures on a projected landscape scene to team); normally limited to one operational period; instruct fire management personnel in different fire does not require a written Incident Action Plan. situations and fire suppression techniques. See Incident - Type 4. Fire Situation Map A map used by fire management Fire Types - Type 5 A fire undergoing initial attack; short personnel to locate and plot wildfires, whether duration, seldom lasting into the next burning they are reported, burning, or out. period; few resources assigned (generally fewer Fire Size Class A classification of fire area, independent of than 6 people); little complexity. See Incident - fire typing through the Incident Command System. Type 5. Type A (less than 0.1 ha); Type B (0.11 to 1.0 Fire Use See Prescribed burning. ha); Type C (1.1 to 10 ha); Type D (10.1 to 100 Fire Weather Collectively, those weather parameters ha); Type E (100.1 to 1,000 ha); Type F (1,000.1 that influence fire occurrence and subsequent to 10,000 ha); Type G (10,000.1 to 100,000 ha); fire behaviour(e.g. dry-bulb temperature, relative Type H (over 100,000 ha). humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, Fire Storm A large continuous area of intense burning atmospheric stability, winds aloft). characterized by violent fire-induced convection Fire Weather Forecast A prediction of the future state resulting in gale-force indraft surface winds near of the atmosphere prepared specifically to meet and beyond the fire perimeter, a towering the needs of fire management in fire suppression convection column, and the occurrence of large and prescribed burning operations. Two types fire whirls. of forecasts are most common: The zone or Fire Suppression All activities concerned with controlling area weather forecast is issued on a regular basis and extinguishing a fire following its detection. during the fire season for a particular geographical Fire Triangle An instructional aid in which the sides of region and/or one or more fire weather stations. an equilateral triangle represent the three factors These regions are delineated on the basis of fire necessary for combustion and flame production climate and/or administrative considerations. A (i.e. oxygen, heat, and fuel). When any one of spot weather forecast is issued to fit the time, these factors is removed, flame production is not topography, and weather of a specific campaign possible or ceases. fire location or prescribed fire site. These forecasts Fire Types - Type 1 All functions are filled, plus are issued on request and are more detailed, timely, leaders, branches etc. Multi-agency and national and specific than zone or area weather forecasts. resources; Large number of personnel and Fire Weather Index A numerical rating of fire intensity equipment are assigned to the incident. It is a that combines the Initial Spread Index and Buildup large, complex incident. See Incident - Type 1.. Index. It is suitable as a general index of fire Fire Types - Type 2 Incident Commander spends all time danger throughout the forested areas of Canada. being a manager; most Command and General Fire Whirl A spinning, moving column of hot air and gases staff positions are filled; Large number of resources rising up from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, utilized; incident extends into multiple operational debris, flame and firebrands. These range from periods; Base Camp(s) established; significant less than one metre to several hundred metres in logistical support is required. See Incident - Type diameter. They may involve the entire fire area or 2. only hot spots within or outside the fire perimeter. Fire Types - Type 3 Extended initial attack on wild-land Firebrand An airborne piece of flaming or smouldering fires; Incident Commander walks the line between material capable of acting as an ignition source. a manager and a ”doer”; resources may vary Fireguard A strategically planned barrier, either manually from several single resources to several task forces or mechanically constructed, intended to stop or or strike teams; some Command/General Staff retard the rate of spread of a fire, and from which positions (ie, Division Supervisor, Unit Leader) suppression action is carried out to control a fire. may be filled; may extend into another operational It is the constructed portion of a control line.

13 Fireline That portion of the fire upon which resources are from rear to head. See Parts of a Fire. deployed and are actively engaged in the incident. Flareup A sudden, localized increase in head fire intensity In a general sense, the working area around a fire. within or along the fire perimeter requiring a Firing Boss (FIRB) The person leading ground and/or temporary adjustment in suppression action in aerial ignition operations and coordinates with order to avoid a possible blowup condition. Unlike holding resources on wildland and prescribed fire a blowup, a flareup is of relatively short duration incidents. and does not radically change existing control First Nations A broad term for Canada’s first peoples, plans. including status and non-status, but not including Flash Over The rapid combustion and/or explosion of Inuit or M´etispeoples of Canada. trapped, unburned gases; usually occurs in poorly Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM) The person ventilated areas. The flash-over phenomenon is responsible for supervision and coordination at a normally associated with structural or urban fires, fixed-wing base. however, it can occur in forest fires (although rare) Flame Angle The angle formed between the flame at the when gases are trapped in topographic pockets fire front and the ground surface, expressed in or accumulate over a broad area when there is a degrees. temporary lull in air movement. Flame Depth The width of the zone within which Flow Tank A type of tank using an onboard computer continuous flaming occurs behind the edge ofa to open and close a set of two doors to restrict fire front. the release of the tank contents to achieve a Flame Height The average maximum vertical extension desired coverage level on the ground. The tank of flames at the fire front; occasional flashes that usually contains just one compartment. ‘Variable’ rise above the general level of flames are not refers to the ability of the doors to fluctuate their considered. aperture during the drop to account for varying Flame Length The length of flames measured along their head pressures in that tank; ‘Constant flow’ axis at the fire front; the distance between the refers to that fluctuation producing a consistent flame height tip and the midpoint of the flame coverage level on the ground. depth at the ground surface. Flame length is an Foam A product that relies primarily on the water it approximate indicator of head fire intensity. contains for firefighting. These products contain Flame Resistance / flame resistant - fabric foaming agents which create air bubbles when The property of a material whereby flaming aerated, and wetting agents which allow the fluid combustion is slowed, terminated or prevented. that drains from the foam bubbles to be easily Note: Flame resistance can be an inherent absorbed by fuel, soil and other materials that it property of the basic fibre material, or can be comes in contact with. imparted by a specific treatment or additive. Foam - Class A Foam intended for use on woody Flame-retardant treatment - fabric The process or fuels. Made from hydrocarbon-based surfactants treatment whereby flame resistance characteristics possessing excellent wetting properties, it is also are imparted onto a fabric or other component. biodegradable. Flaming Combustion The production of flames as part Foam - Class B Foam designed for use on flammable liquid of the combustion process. Luminous oxidation fires. of gases evolved from the rapid decomposition of Foam Blanket A layer of foam which forms an insulating fuel. and reflective barrier from heat and is used for fuel Flaming Front The area of a moving fire where protection and property. combustion is primarilyflaming. The flaming front Foam Concentrate The concentrated foaming agent as normally consists of the fire frontand the flaming received from the manufacturer, containing a zone. surfactant, corrosion inhibitor, and stabilizers. Flammability The relative ease with which a substance Foam Generation The transformation of a foam solution ignites and sustains combustion. into foam by the addition of air to the solution. Flank Fire A fire spreading, or set to spread, at roughly Foam Solution A homogeneous mixture of water and foam right angles to the prevailing wind direction. concentrate to which air is added to produce foam. Flanks Those portions of the fire perimeter that are Foam solution has no real bubble structure but between the head and the back of the fire which some bubble formation may occur due to agitation are roughly parallel to the main direction of spread. and impact. Right and left flanks are distinguished by looking Foliar Moisture Content The percentage moisture

14 content by weight of live conifer needles of trees description in terms of potential fire behaviour at least 1-year old. on the basis of past experience, comparative Follow Up The act of supporting or increasing the efforts methods, and mathematical models. of initial attack by increasing suppression resources Fuel Arrangement A general term referring to the and commitment to control. horizontal and vertical distribution of all Food Unit Functional unit within the Service Branch of the combustible materials within a particular fuel type. Logistics Section responsible for providing meals Fuel Bulk Density The dry weight of combustible for incident personnel. materials per unit volume. Numerically, it is Food Unit Leader (FDUL) The person responsible for equal to fuel load divided by the depth of the determining feeding requirements at all incident particular fuel layer (e.g. duff, tree crown facilities and for menu planning, determining foliage). Recommended units are kilograms per cooking facilities required, food preparation, cubic metre. serving, providing potable water, and general Fuel Complex The type, quantity, condition, arrangement maintenance of the food service areas. and continuity of fuel available to burn. Forest Closure An official order by a designated authority Fuel Description A description of the fuel properties that to close a specified forest area. Usually provided are important for assessing potential fire behaviour for in fire prevention legislation. (e.g. fuel arrangement, fuel load, fuel moisture Forest Fire Variously defined for legal purposes. Types of content). forest fires are ground, surface and crown.. Fuel Load The dry weight of combustible materials per Forest Fire Management See Fire Management. unit area. Recommended units are kilograms Forest Floor The organic surface component of the soil per square metre (kg/m2) or tonnes per hectare supporting forest vegetation; the combined duff (t/ha). 1.0 kg/m2 is equivalent to 10 t/ha. (if present) and litter layers. Fuel Management The planned manipulation and/or Forest Protection That branch of forestry concerned with reduction of living or dead forest fuels for the prevention and control of damage to forests forest management and other land use objectives from fire, insects, disease, and other harmful (e.g. hazard reduction, silvicultural purposes, agents. wildlife habitat improvement) by prescribed fire; Forwarder Unit (1) A self-contained unit consisting of a mechanical, chemical, or biological means; and/or water tank, fire pump, and hose specially designed changing stand structure and species composition. to be carried on a logging forwarder for use in fire Fuel Moisture Content The amount of water present in suppression. (2)The term usually applies to the fuel generally expressed as a percentage of the special attachments, but it may also refer to the fuel’s dry weight when thoroughly dried at 100 attachments and logging forwarder together. degrees Celsius. Free Burning A general term to describe the condition Fuel Treatment Handling or disposal of forest fuels to of a fire, or portion of a fire perimeter, that is reduce the likelihood of fire, potential damage unaffected by natural or man-made barriers to fire and resistance to control measures by delimbing, growth and/or any suppression measures taken. chipping, crushing, piling and burning. Free Dropping Open door work from a helicopter which Fuel Type An identifiable association of fuel elements entails a competent person dropping packaged of distinctive species, form, size, arrangement, (securely boxed and bagged) hose outside the and continuity that will exhibit characteristic fire helicopter at a hover in a safe manner as to not behaviour under defined burning conditions. create any hazard to persons or property below. Fuelbreak An existing barrier or change in fuel type (to one Packaged fire hose is the only item to be free that is less flammable than that surrounding it), or dropped. a wide strip of land on which the native vegetation Front In meteorology, the boundary between two air masses has been modified or cleared (fireguard), that acts of different density. A cold front represents the as a buffer to fire spread so that fires burning leading edge of colder air replacing warmer air; into them can be more readily controlled. Often the reverse of this is a warm front. selected or constructed to protect a high value area Fuel Any organic material that can ignite and burn; it can from fire. In the event of fire, may serve asa be divided into three broad levels: ground, surface control line from which to carry out suppressive and aerial. operations. Fuel Appraisal The process of first describing the fuel type Function Refers to the five major activities in ICS: characteristics and secondly interpreting the fuel Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and

15 Finance/Administration. The term function is Groups are composed of resources assembled to also used when describing the activity involved, perform a special function not necessarily within e.g., the planning function. a single geographic division. Groups are located Gap (retardant / suppressant) A weak or missed area in between Branches (when activated) and resources a retardant or suppressant line. in the Operations Section. Gated Wye A three-way hose line accessory permitting Group Supervisor The individual responsible for two lines of hose to be taken from a single supply supervising equipment and personnel assigned line. Valves located in the discharge ports permit to a group. Reports to a Branch Director or control of stream flow or shutting off one or both Operations Section Chief. discharge lines. Gutter Trench A ditch dug to the mineral soil on a slope General Staff A group of incident management personnel below a fire to trap rolling firebrands, such as organized according to function and reporting cones and logs. to the Incident Commander. The General Half On Half Off A drop made parallel to a given reference Staff normally consists of the Operations Section with half the drop covering the reference and half Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section outside. Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief. Hazard Reduction Treatment of living or dead forest fuels An Intelligence/Investigations Chief may be to diminish the likelihood of a fire starting, and to established, if required, to meet incident lessen the potential rate of spread and resistance management needs. to control. Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) Hazard Reduction Burning The burning of surface fuels, The person responsible for providing timely and most often grass, in low intensity fires in order to accurate spatial information to the Situation Unit reduce fuel loading and potential fire intensity. Leader about the incident to be used by all facets Head A fire spreading, or set to spread, with the wind of the IMT. (upslope in the absence of wind). Green Up The appropriate time during the first half of Head End of Drop The most forward end of the air drop the fire season in which deciduous trees and/or on the ground. understory vegetation (e.g. grasses, herbs, shrubs) Head Fire That portion of the fire perimeter having the have more or less completed their flushing of greatest rate of spread and fire intensity which is new growth. This typically takes place in late generally on the downwind and/or upslope part of spring/early summer. the fire. Ground Effect Reaction of a helicopter’s rotor downwash Head Fire Intensity The rate of heat energy released at against the ground surface forming a ground the head of the fire. cushion that increases the lifting capability of that Heat of Combustion The potential heat energy available parcel of air. for release by the combustion process. In frontal Ground Fire A fire that burns in the ground fuel layer. fire intensity calculations, the heat of combustion Ground Fuels All combustible materials below the litter value used is subject to several possible reductions, layer of the forest floor that normally supports chiefly because of the presence of moisture in smouldering or glowing combustion associated the fuel. A quantity is generally specified for with ground fires (e.g. duff, roots, buried punky a particular fuel on a per unit weight basis. wood, peat). Recommended unit is kilojoules per kilogram Ground Probe A specialized nozzle used to penetrate (kJ/kg). deep-seated combustible fuels to extinguish Heat Transfer The process by which heat is imparted from ground fires. one body or object to another. In forest fires, heat Ground Support Unit Functional unit within the Support energy is transmitted from burning to unburned Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for fuels by conduction, convection, and radiation. the fuelling, maintaining, and repairing of vehicles, Heavy Equipment Branch Director (HEBD) The and the transportation of personnel and supplies. person responsible to supervise and manage the Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) The person overall operations for all heavy equipment on an responsible for the fuelling, maintaining, and incident. This person will prioritize the need and repairing of vehicles, and the transportation of allocation of heavy equipment for the incident. personnel and supplies. Heavy Equipment Group Supervisor (HEGS) The Group Established to divide the incident management person responsible for supervising and directing structure into functional areas of operation. operations of assigned heavy equipment, including

16 heavy equipment strike teams/task forces or single safely take off and land. Some helispots may resources. be used for loading of supplies, equipment, or Heavy equipment operator (HEOP) The person personnel. responsible for the safe and efficient operation of Helispot manager (HESM) The person responsible for a single piece of heavy equipment on an incident. managing all resources assigned to a helispot. Heavy Fuels Large diameter woody or deep organic Helitack Initial attack on wildfires involving the use materials that are difficult to ignite and burn more of helicopters and trained crews, deployed as a slowly than fine or medium fuels. complete unit. Heavy Helicopter 15-plus passenger, seats up to 25,000 Helitack Crew An initial attack crew specially trained in lbs. external load (e.g. Bell 214, Sikorsky 61 the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire and 64, Vertol 107 and 234, Kamov 32). See suppression. Helicopter Classification. Helitank A specially designed tank fitted to a Held Line A control line that still contains the fire when helicopter and used for transporting and dropping it is declared Under Control. suppressants or retardants. Helibase The main location for parking, fuelling, Helitanker A helicopter equipped with a helitank or a maintenance, and loading of helicopters operating bucket. in support of an incident. It is usually located at Helitorch A specialized aerial drip torch, primarily using a or near the incident base. gelled fuel, slung and activated from a helicopter. Helibase Manager (HEBM) The person responsible for Helitorch mixmaster (HTMM) The person responsible controlling helicopter take-offs and landings ata to supervise mixing/filling operations and helibase, managing helibase assigned helicopters, manages time frames to maintain availability of supplies, fire retardant mixing and loading. helitorch fuel. Helibucket A specially designed rigid or collapsible Hold - aircraft Either (1) An instruction to an aircraft not container slung by a helicopter and used to drop and to await further instruction; or (2) An for picking up and dropping suppressants or instruction to an aircraft not to enter a specific retardants on a fire. Size of the bucket load is area or to remain in a specific area. compatible with the size of the helicopter. Holdover Fire A fire that remains dormant and undetected Helicopter (classification) Helicopters are divided into for a considerable amount of time after it starts four catagories: Light: 1 to 4 passenger seats, (particularly lightning-caused fires). up to approximately 1,500 lbs. external load (e.g. Hook, Cargo Hook attached to the helicopter to allow Robinson R22, Bell 47 and 206B, Hiller 12E/T, carrying of external loads. It is designed to include Hughes 500, etc.).Intermediate: 5 to 8 seats, up to both electrical and mechanical release functions. approximately 2,500 lbs. external load. (e.g. Bell Hose - Forestry Conveys water under positive and 206L, AS350, Bell 407, Bell 222, etc.). Medium: 5 sometimes negative pressure from the fire to 8 seats, up to approximately 2,500 lbs. external pumping unit to the outlet, normally affixed with load. (e.g. Bell 206L, AS350, Bell 407, Bell 222, standardized couplings or connectors. Classified etc.).Heavy: 15-plus passenger seats up to 25,000 as percolating or non-percolating hose. lbs. external load (e.g. Bell 214, Sikorsky 61 and Hose Clamp A crimping device for stopping the flow of 64, Vertol 107 and 234, Kamov 32). water in a hose. Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) The person responsible Hose Coupling Wrench A specialized tool for tightening for coordinating tactical or logistical helicopter or loosening external-lug threaded hose couplings mission(s) at an incident. and accessory connections. Helicopter engineer (HENG) The person responsible for Hose Friction Loss Reduction in efficiency of a fire hose the maintenance of a helicopter. (the amount of water pressure lost) due to the Helicopter Sounding Determination of the vertical resistance between the inside wall of the hose and temperature profile based on observations the water flowing through the hose. The factors of a helicopter’s free-air thermometer and affecting friction loss are the velocity of the water corresponding altimeter readings. through the hose, the roughness of the inner lining Helipad The prepared surface or structure at a heliport of the hose, and the diameter of the hose. where a helicopter actually lands. Hose-lay The arrangement of connected lengths of fire Heliport A permanent landing area for helicopters, where hose and accessories on the ground beginning at fuel, service, and supply are generally available. the first pumping unit and ending at the point(s) Helispot Any designated location where a helicopter can of water delivery.

17 Hot Spot (1) A particularly active part of a fire; (2) A small a declaration of emergency by the appropriate area of smouldering or glowing combustion, which authority. A written IAP is required for each may be exhibiting smoke, located on or within the operational period. fire perimeter; a term commonly used during the Incident - Type 2 Incident will extend into multiple mop-up stage of a fire; (3) A satellite detection of operational periods; this type of incident may an area of active flaming combustion. exceed the capabilities of local fire management Hot Spotting A method to check the spread and intensity resources. Most or all Command and General staff of a fire at those points that exhibit the most rapid positions are filled. The Agency Administrator or spread or that otherwise pose some special threat official is responsible for the incident complexity to the control of the situation. This is in contrast analysis, agency administrative briefings, and to systematically working all parts of the fire at agency delegation of authority; multiple agencies the same time, or progressively, in a step-by-step may be involved. A written IAP is required for manner. each operational period. Hover Exit The loading and unloading of personnel and Incident - Type 3 The incident normally extends into equipment from a helicopter that is under power, multiple operational periods; the appropriate ICS where the pilot must manipulate the flight controls positions should be added to match the complexity to maintain a stable altitude. This could be of the incident; some of the Command/General free of, or in partial contact with, a grounded Staff positions (Division Supervisor, Unit Leader) surface. A helicopter in full skid contact with an may be filled; a written IAP may be required for unstable surface that requires the pilot to make each operational period. flight control adjustments is also considered tobe Incident - Type 4 Limited to one operational period in in a hover. the out of control stage; Incident Commander Ignition The beginning of flame production or smouldering is activated and other operational positions combustion; the starting of a fire. activated as required; No written Incident Action Ignition Specialist (IGSP) The person responsible Plan is required, but an operational briefing will for directing and supervising all aspects of an be completed for all incoming resources. ignition team in the performance of tactical Incident - Type 5 An incident of little complexity and ignition operational assignments on wildfires and normally under control or out within the first prescribed burns. operational period. Incident Commander is the Ignition Temperature The minimum temperature at only position activated; a verbal Incident Action which ignition can take place and sustained Plan is required, no written IAP is needed. combustion can occur. Incident Action Plan (IAP) An oral or written plan Impact Change in a given value. Impact is a function of containing general objectives reflecting the overall vulnerability, intensity, and exposure. strategy for managing an incident. It may include Incident An occurrence or event, natural or manmade, the identification of operational resources and that requires a response to protect life or assignments. It may also include attachments that property. Incidents can, for example, include provide direction and important information for major disasters, emergencies, terrorist attacks, management of the incident during one or more terrorist threats, civil unrest, wildland and operational periods. urban fires, floods, hazardous materials spills, Incident Base The location at which primary Logistics nuclear accidents, aircraft accidents, earthquakes, functions for an incident are coordinated and hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms, tsunamis, administered. There is only one Base per incident. war-related disasters, public health and medical (Incident name or other designator will be added emergencies, and other occurrences requiring an to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post emergency response. may be co-located with the Incident Base. Incident - Type 1 Most complex type of incident to Incident Command Post (ICP) The field location at safely and effectively manage and operate; all which the primary tactical-level on-scene incident Command and General Staff and required support command functions are performed. The ICP may positions are activated. The incident complexity be co-located with the Incident Base or other analysis, agency administrative briefings, and incident facilities. agency delegation of authority must be completed Incident Command System (ICS) A standardized on- and monitored and updated as required. Multiple scene emergency management system specifically agencies will be involved and there may be designed to provide for the adoption of an

18 integrated organizational structure that reflects Infrared Operator (IROP) The person responsible for the complexity and demands of single or infrared scanning and mapping operations when multiple incidents, without being hindered by assigned. jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination Infrared Scanner An optical-electronic system for of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, identifying thermal infrared radiation in the and communications operating within a common flaming, smouldering, or glowing combustion organizational structure, designed to aid in the phases. The system may be operated from an management of resources during incidents. It is aircraft, or hand-held on the ground. used for all kinds of emergencies and is applicable Inherently flame-resistant - fabric As applied to textiles, to small as well as large and complex incidents. having flame resistance that derives from an ICS is used by various jurisdictions and functional essential characteristic of the polymer or other agencies, both public and private, to organize material from which the fibre is made. field-level incident management operations. Initial Attack The action taken to halt the spread or Incident Commander (IC) The individual responsible for potential spread of a fire by the first fire fighting all incident activities, including the development of force to arrive at the fire. strategies and tactics and the ordering and release Initial Attack Base Any place where initial attack of resources. The IC has overall authority and capability has been positioned in readiness for responsibility for conducting incident operations probable fire action. Resources must have air and is responsible for the management of all and/or ground transport capability on site. incident operations at the incident site. Initial Attack Crew (IAC) Personnel trained, equipped, Incident Management Team (IMT) The Incident and deployed to conduct suppression action to halt Commander and the appropriate Command and the spread or potential spread of a wildfire within General Staff personnel assigned to an incident. the first burning period. Incident Meteorologist (IMET) The person responsible Initial Attack Resources Fire fighting resources funded for on-site meteorological support to an incident. and organized specifically for the prime objective Incident Objectives Statements of guidance and direction of implementing initial attack on wildfires. needed to select the appropriate strategies, and Initial Response Resources initially committed to an the tactical direction of resources. Incident incident. objectives are based on realistic expectations of Initial Spread Index (ISI) A numerical rating related to what can be accomplished when all allocated the expected rate of fire spread. It combines the resources have been effectively deployed. Incident effects of wind and Fine Fuel Moisture Code on objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet the rate of spread but excludes the influence of flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical variable quantities of fuel. alternatives. Inspection Run A pass over the target by the birddog Incident Support Organization Includes any off-incident aircraft or the airtanker to assess the bomb run, support provided to an incident. Examples target area, and exit from the target. would be Agency Dispatch Centres, Airports, Intensity In the context of risk, a measure of the Mobilization Centres, etc. magnitude of a fire, such as head fire intensity, Indigenous The preferred term in Canada to include First smoke density, or rate of spread. A contextual Nations, Inuit, and Metis. term dependent upon the values being impacted. Indirect Attack A method of attack whereby the control Interagency resource representative (IARR) A line is strategically located away from the fire’s representative of the Sending Participants based at edge to take advantage of favourable terrain and the Receiving Participants’ Coordinating Authority natural fuel breaks in advance of the fire perimeter. or a Receiving Participant’s Fire Centre who has The forest fuel between the control line and the been delegated authority to make decisions on fire is usually burned out or backfired. matters affecting all the Sending Participants’ Information Officer (IOF) A member of the Command resources in the Receiving Participants’ country. Staff responsible for interfacing with internal The IARR reports directly to the Sending clients, the public and media, and/or with Participants’ Coordinating Authority. other agencies with incident related information Intermediate Helicopter 5 to 8 seats, up to approximately requirements. 2,500 lbs. external load. (e.g. Bell 206L, AS350, Infrared Interpreter (IRIN) The person directing infrared Bell 407, Bell 222, etc.). mapping operations when assigned. Intermittent Crown Fire A moderate to high-intensity

19 crown fire with crown fraction burned greater than sized trees, bark flakes, tree lichens). 10 percent and less than 90 percent. Land based airtanker A fixed wing aircraft that operates Intermittent Smoke Smoke that becomes visible from and must return to a designated airtanker occasionally. base from which they are loaded with fire retardant Intervalometer An electronic device mounted in an or suppressant. aircraft which actuates the compartment doors(s) Landscape Fire Management Landscape fire singly, or multiple doors simultaneously or in management is the integration and sequence, to produce the desired coverage level implementation of fire management at multiple and line length. scales including the individual homeowner Inversion The atmospheric condition in which the scale, the community scale (wildland urban temperature within a vertical layer of air increases interface), and the landscape beyond the interface with altitude, resulting in a very stable atmosphere scale. Landscape fire management assists fire until the inversion lifts or breaks. This is contrary managers and communities in finding cost- to the usual situation in which temperature effective approaches to preventing unwanted fires, decreases with height. Temperature inversions at as well as maintaining desirable fire regimes. the earth’s surface are a common occurrence in When fires do occur, landscape fire management the early morning hours during the fire season and provides the framework for: (1) evaluating dampen fire behaviour. whether the effects will be detrimental or benign; Island An area(s) of unburned fuels located within the fire (2) weighing relative benefits and risks of different perimeter. scenarios; and (3) responding appropriately based Isobar A line of equal or constant atmospheric pressure on the objectives. displayed on a synoptic chart. Lanyard A length of rope or cable used to attach a cargo Isochrone Lines on a map showing fire progression at a net or sling to a helicopter cargo hook. constant time; the forecasted or mapped location Lap On An instruction to drop, overlapping the previous of the fire front over time. drop to the left or right; unless directed otherwise Jettison To release the load at a predetermined location coverage will be a 1/3 overlap. to meet the landing weight for the airtanker, not Late Advice that the drop is to be or was triggered beyond used for emergency situations. a designated point. Jettison Area A designated zone where an airtanker can Lead In A technique whereby the airtanker follows directly jettison a load or portion of a load before landing. behind the birddog to the target. Jurisdiction A range or sphere of authority. Public Leader The ICS title for an individual responsible for a agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related Task Force, Strike Team, or Functional Unit. to their legal responsibilities and authority. Legitimate Smoke Smoke from any authorized use of fire Jurisdictional authority at an incident can be or other permissible sources, such as permitted political, geographical, or functional. debris burning or industrial operations. Jurisdictional Agency The agency having jurisdiction and Length To Breadth Ratio For a simple elliptical (oval) responsibility for a specific geographical area, ora shaped fire, the ratio of the fire’s spread distance mandated function. in the same direction as the wind (length) to the Kind of Resource An Incident Command System resource flanking spread distance (breadth). classification that refers to similar resources. All Level of Protection The amount of effort that a fire fire engines for example are grouped as the same management organization is willing to expend to “Kind” of resource, their capability however is respond to forest fires based on the organization’s defined by “Type”. land and resource management objectives. LACES A safety system used by wildland firefighters Liaison Officer (LOFR) A member of the Command Staff to protect themselves from entrapment responsible for coordinating with representatives in free-burning wildfires and other fireline from cooperating and assisting agencies. hazards. Stands for Lookouts, Anchor points, Life-Safety Refers to the joint consideration of both the Communications, Escape routes, and Safety life and physical well being of individuals. zones. Light Helicopter 1 to 4 passenger seats, up to Ladder Fuels Fuels that provide vertical continuity approximately 1,500 lbs. external load (e.g. between the surface fuels and crown fuels in a Robinson R22, Bell 47 and 206B, Hiller 12E/T, forest stand, thus contributing to the ease of Hughes 500, etc.). See Helicopter Classification. torching and crowning (e.g. tall shrubs, small- Lightning Locator System A network of sensors to

20 detect the location and polarity of cloud-to-ground under the immediate supervision of a birddog. lightning flashes in real-time. Long - drop Assessment that the drop landed beyond a Likelihood Probability of an event occurring. designated point. Line Astern Directing two or more airtankers (land Long Term Retardant Long term retardants contain based or skimmer) to drop on a given retardant salts, typically agricultural fertilizers, target while occupying the same circuit altitude that alter the way the fire burns, decreases the simultaneously. The second and each subsequent fire intensity, and slows the advance of the fire, airtanker follows the line of flight flown by the lead even after the water they originally contained has aircraft. evaporated. Line Locator A person who selects and marks the location Longline A cable, 50-ft. in length or greater, that may be of a control line. equipped with an electrical cable to activate the Line scout (LSCT) The person responsible to determine hook(s). the location of a fire line. Lookout A competant and trusted person located in an Litres per Hour Concept The litres per hour concept advantageous position who has the responsibility employs number of tankers and turnaround times of watching for changes in fire behaviour that risk to gauge efficiency of water application and the entrapment and relaying them to their supervisor. proper amount of tankers being utilized for the See LACES. desired effect. Identifies the point at which adding Lost Line Any part of a control line that fails to stop the tankers to a circuit may not apply more water to spread of a fire. the fire. Low Expansion Foam Foam having an expansion between Litter The uppermost part of the forest floor consisting 1:1 and 20:1. of freshly cast or slightly decomposed organic Low-level Jet Wind A particular type of wind aloft materials (i.e. the L layer). condition, evident in the vertical wind profile, in Load - drop Term used describing the drop. which there is a zone of increasing wind speed Load Sheet A document provided to the Pilot-In- near the earth’s surface, and a zone of decreasing Command prior to flight which lists all cargo, velocity above a point of maximum wind speed. quantities and weights, this includes a passenger Management by Objectives A management approach manifest with names, list of equipment and that involves a five-step process for achieving supplies and identifies all dangerous goods on the incident goal. The Management by board by their common name, proper Shipping Objectives approach includes the following: name, UN number, class, quantity and weight as establishing overarching incident objectives; not to exceed aircraft payload. developing strategies based on overarching Load Width Width actually covered by a given drop on incident objectives; developing and issuing the ground. assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols; Loaded Patrol An aerial patrol where the aircraft is establishing specific, measurable tactics or tasks carrying an initial attack crew or fire retardants for various incident-management functional on board while conducting aerial detection flights. activities and directing efforts to attain them, in Loading Pad A cement pad at a retardant base on which support of defined strategies; and documenting aircraft stand when being loaded with slurry. results to measure performance and facilitate Loading Ramp Ramp used for boarding and disembarking corrective action. equipment on board aircraft. Manager Individual(s) within the Incident Command Loadmaster (LOAD) The person responsible for the safe System organizational unit that are assigned loading and unloading of personnel and or cargo specific managerial responsibilities (e.g. Staging from aircraft. Area Manager or Camp Manager). Logistics Section The Section responsible for providing Manning Action The daily or short-term adjustments in facilities, services, and material support for the the strength and positioning of fire suppression Incident. resources required for the initial attack to meet Logistics Section Chief (LSC) This individual responsible a predetermined level of preparedness based on for supervising the Logistics Section. Reports to the likelihood of fire occurrence and probable fire the Incident Commander and is a member of the behaviour as determined by the forecasted fire General Staff. This position may have one or more danger. This may involve increasing or decreasing deputies assigned. the number and types of suppression crews and Lone Wolf Refers to an airtanker conducting drops not equipment.

21 Marker Load - drop A drop strategically placed as a Mixmaster (MXMS) The person in charge of fire reference point used for subsequent drops. retardant mixing operations, with responsibility for Masticated Fuels A mechanical process by which trees the quantity and quality of the slurry, and for and shrubs are chipped to create irregularly shaped the loading of the aircraft in land-based airtanker fuel particles that effectively relocates vertical operations. ladder fuels onto the surface. Modern Treaty Comprehensive land claims in areas where Max - drop The maximum flow rate available from a Aboriginal land rights have not been dealt with constant variable flow tank. A specified portion by treaty or through other means. In these of the load when requested at ”max” produces a areas, forward-looking agreements are negotiated ”salvo” type drop. between the Aboriginal group, Canada, and the Medical Unit Functional unit within the Service Branch province or territory. The treaties include certainty of the Logistics Section responsible for the about ownership, use and management of land and development of the Medical Emergency Plan, and resources, and may include provisions relating to for providing emergency medical treatment to Aboriginal self-government. incident personnel. Mop-up The act of extinguishing a fire after it has been Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) The person responsible for brought under control. developing the Medical Plan, obtaining medical Mop-up Time The period from the achievement of control aid and transportation for injured or ill incident until enough work has been done to ensure that personnel, and preparing reports and records. the fire can not rekindle. Medium Expansion Foam Foam having an expansion Mulch Masticated woody tree material, primarily stem between 21:1 and 200:1. wood, with additional bark, branch, and foliage Medium Fuels Fuels too large to be ignited until after content. the leading edge of the fire front passes, but small Multi-hook A system of multiple hooks allowing the enough to be completely consumed. transport of separate loads. Medium Helicopter 9 to 14 passenger seats, up to Multi-jurisdiction Incident An incident requiring action approximately 6,000 lbs. external load. (e.g. from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction Sikorsky S55T and 58T, Bell 204, 205, 212, K- to manage certain aspects of an incident. In ICS, Max, etc.). See Helicopter Classification. these incidents shall be managed under Unified Mineral Soil That portion of the soil stratum immediately Command. below the litter and duff. Mineral soil contains Multiple Fire Situation A circumstance of high fire very little combustible material except on highly incidence over short periods of time in any productive sites where an upper soil horizon may administrative unit, usually overtaxing the normal be enriched with organic matter. initial attack capability of the unit. Minisonde Observation A method of constructing a Mutual Aid Agreement Written or oral agreement vertical temperature profile determined by air between and among jurisdictions that provides temperature data being continuously telemetered a mechanism to quickly obtain assistance in the to a portable receiver unit at the earth’s surface form of personnel, equipment, materials, and from a transmitting sensor package that is carried other services. The primary objective is to aloft by a free-lift balloon. facilitate rapid, short-term deployment of support Mitigation The actions taken to reduce the impact of prior to, during, and/or after an incident. disasters in order to protect lives, property, the Neutral Atmosphere A condition of the atmosphere environment, and to reduce economic disruption. in which the temperature decrease with altitude Mix Ratio The ratio of foam or retardant concentrate equals to the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate. to water. Foam is expressed as a percentage. New Target Indication that a new target and/or bomb run Retardant is expressed as a ratio. has been selected and that the target description Mixing Height A term commonly used in air pollution will follow. meteorology to determine the maximum height Non-Percolating Forestry Hose Forestry fire hose above the earth’s surface to which relatively without wetting or soaking characteristics. vigorous mixing due to convection takes place. Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) Temporary airspace Above this layer, a stable atmosphere exists which restrictions for non-incident aircraft in the incident acts to suppress vertical mixing. The mixing area. NOTAM’s are established by Transport height is dependent on the vertical temperature Canada to ensure aircraft safety. profile. Recommended unit is metres (m). Officer The ICS title for the personnel responsible for the

22 Command Staff positions of Safety, Liaison, or fire pumps is combined into one hose line. Information. Parts Of A Fire Descriptors of specific areas of a fire that One Strike Concept An aerial operation involving rapid are named relative to the direction of fire spread, initial action and the delivery of enough resources including Fire Perimeter, Fire Edge, Head, Rear to achieve the initial attack objective in one trip. (back), Flank(s), Fingers, Bays, Islands, Point of Operational Period The time scheduled for executing a Origin and Spot (jump) fire. given set of operation actions, as specified in the Patrol (1) To inspect a section of a control line or portion Incident Action Plan. Operational periods can be of the fire perimeter to prevent escape of the fire; of various lengths, although usually they last 12 (2) To travel a given route to inspect, prevent, to 24 hours. detect, and suppress fires. Operations Branch Director (OPBD) The person Patrol Time The period from completion of mop-up until responsible for implementing the portion of the the fire is declared out. IAP applicable to the assigned Branch.. Percent Contained The percentage of a fire that has been Operations Section The Section responsible for contained with the use of mechanical, hose line, all tactical operations at the incident and or natural barriers with possible values between 0 implementation of the Incident Action Plan. This and 100. section can include Branches, Divisions and/or Percolating Forestry Hose A self-protecting forestry fire Groups. hose with wetting or soaking characteristics which Operations Section Chief (OSC) The individual allow the hose material to become saturated with responsible for supervising the Operations Section, the water when conveying water to help prevent it who reports to the Incident Commander and is a from burning. member of the General Staff. This position may Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Any piece of have one or more deputies assigned. equipment or clothing designed to be used to Orbit and Direct A technique whereby the birddog orbits protect the health and safety of an individual. the fire and verbally identifies targets or references Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) The person to the airtankers. responsible for overseeing the recording of time Organic Layer The accumulated, partially to fully for all personnel assigned to an incident. decomposed, organic matter at the soil surface. Planned Event A planned non-emergency activity (e.g. It corresponds to the fermentation (F) and humus sporting event, concert, parade, etc.). (H) layers in forests and/or the peat (O) layer in Planning Meeting A meeting held as needed before and wetlands. throughout the duration of an incident to select Out of Service Resources Resources assigned to an specific strategies and tactics for incident control incident but unable to respond for mechanical, operations and for service and support planning. rest, or personnel reasons. For larger incidents, the Planning Meeting is a Overhead A collective term for all positions not including major element in the development of the Incident crews. Overhead includes supervisory positions as Action Plan. well as single resources. Planning Section The Section responsible for the Overlap - drop An instruction to cover or partially cover collection, evaluation, and dissemination of a previous drop or reference point. information related to the incident, and for the Overwintering Fire A fire that persists throughout the preparation and documentation of Incident Action winter months to the opening of a fire season. Plan. This Section also maintains information on Para-cargo That portion of air cargo to be delivered by the current and forecasted situation, and on the para-drop. status of resources assigned to the incident. Para-drop Cargo, attached to a parachute, dropped from Planning Section Chief (PSC) The person responsible an aircraft in flight. for supervising the Planning Section. Reports to Parallel Attack A method whereby a fireguard is the Incident Commander and is a member of the constructed as close to the fire as heat and flame General Staff. This position may have one or more permit, and burning out the fuel between the fire deputies assigned. and the fireguard. Plastic Sphere Dispensor Operator (PLDO) The person Parallel Drop Same bearing but the aircraft position is responsible to utilize the Plastic Sphere Dispenser a specified distance to the right or left ofthe for aerial ignition operations.. previous drop. Point Of Origin The location(s) within the fire perimeter Parallel Pumping A procedure whereby the flow from two where ignition first occurred.

23 Portable Tank A portable, collapsible, open-top tank used pre-determined forest management or other land as a reservoir to store water. Many tanks are use objectives. See Fire Use. self supporting, they include a foam-type collar Prescribed Fire Fire deliberately utilized in a which raises the walls as it is being filled to contain predetermined area in accordance with a specified the contents. Framed tanks have a foldable solid and approved burning prescription to achieve set structure supporting the liner, which is attached objectives. internally. Presuppression Those fire management activities in Power Pump Kit A kit containing a medium power pump, advance of fire occurrence concerned with the pump tool box, intake hose with foot valve, and organization, training, and management of a fire a 22.8 litre (5 imp. gal) or approximate fuel fighting force and the procurement, maintenance, container with fuel line. and inspection of improvements, equipment, and Preattack Plan A plan detailing predetermined fire supplies to ensure effective fire suppression. suppression strategy and tactics to be deployed Prevention Actions taken to avoid the occurrence of following fire occurrence in a given land negative consequences associated with a given management unit. A preattack plan contains threat; prevention activities may be included as data on fuel types and topographic conditions a part of mitigation. including fuel breaks, access routes and travel Procurement Unit Functional unit within the times, water supply sources, lakes suitable for Finance/Administration Section responsible for skimmer aircraft, and existing heliports. It also financial matters involving vendor contracts. includes information on existing and/or proposed Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) The person locations for control lines (including the types and responsible for administering all financial matters number of fire suppression resources that may be pertaining to vendor contracts, leases, and fiscal required, probable rates of fire guard construction, agreements. and possible constraints), base and line camps, Professional Passenger A person who takes an active role helispots, and the priorities for construction in ensuring that a flight is conducted as safely as and/or improvement of presuppression facilities. possible. Precipitation Any or all of the forms of water, whether Proportioner A device that adds a predetermined amount liquid (i.e. rain or drizzle) or solid (e.g. snow or of liquid foam or retardant concentrate to water hail), that fall from the atmosphere and reach the to form a solution. ground. The more common term rainfall also is Pulaski A combination chopping and trenching tool, which used in this total sense to include not only the combines a single-bitted axe blade with a narrow amount of rain, but also the water equivalent of adze-like trenching blade fitted to a straight frozen precipitation. Precipitation is the preferred handle. Useful for grubbing or trenching in duff general term. and matted roots. Preheating Phase Unburned fuel is raised to its ignition Qualification A specified pre-arranged series of temperature and gaseous vapours begin to evolve. requirements (knowledge, abilities, skills, and Preparedness Actions that involve a combination of experience) that shall be acquired to be eligible to planning, resources, training, exercising, and perform a specific position or role. organizing to build, sustain, and improve Radiation Transmission of heat in the form of radiant operational capabilities. Preparedness is the energy, i.e. radially, in a straight line and in all process of identifying the personnel, training, directions. and equipment needed for a wide range of Radio Cache A supply of radios stored in a pre-determined potential incidents, and developing jurisdiction- location for assignment to incidents. specific plans for delivering capabilities when Radio Operator (RADO) The person responsible for needed for an incident. passing accurate and timely information via Prescribe Fire specialist (PBSP) The person responsible incident radio communications. May also for creating burn plans for prescribed fire, to be required to document all communications ensure the best ecological results in the safest and ensure regular check-ins by resources are procedure. completed. Prescribed Burning The deliberate, planned and Rain Precipitation in the form of liquid water drops. knowledgeable application of fire by authorized Recommended unit for measurement is millimetres personnel and in accordance with policy and (mm). guidelines to a specific land area to accomplish Rain Gauge The general name for instruments designed to

24 measure the amount of rain that has fallen. Both Relative Humidity Recovery The increase in relative recording and non-recording types are commonly humidity during the overnight period to near- used at fire weather stations. saturation (100 percent) levels. The recovery of Rappel Crew An initial attack crew trained to descend relative humidity indicates an increase in fine fuel from a specially equipped, hovering helicopter on moisture content and decreased fire intensity. a rope fitted with a mechanical device to control Relay Tank A tank, usually collapsible, used as a reservoir the rate of descent. in the relay of water from one fire pump to Rate of Area Growth The speed at which a fire increases another. its size, expressed in terms of area per unit of time. Reload An instruction to the airtanker to proceed to a Recommended unit is hectares per hour (ha/h). designated airtanker base for more retardant and Rate of Perimeter Growth The speed at which a fire return to the same incident for another drop. The increases its perimeter, expressed in terms of term when given to a skimmer airtanker refers distance per unit of time. Recommended units to refilling with more water at the predetermined are metres per minute (m/min) and kilometres per water source. hour (km/h). Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) A Rate of Spread (ROS) The speed at which a fire extends weather station at which the services of an its horizontal dimensions, expressed in terms of observer are not required. A RAWS unit distance per unit of time. Generally thought of in measures selected weather elements automatically terms of a fire’s forward movement or head fire and is equipped with telemetry apparatus for rate of spread, but also applicable to back fire and transmitting the electronically recorded data via flank fire rates of spread.. radio, satellite, or by a land-line communication Rawinsonde Observation A method of determining wind system at predetermined times or on a user request speed and direction, air temperature, relative basis. humidity, and atmospheric pressure at various Remote or Extended Hook Designed to attach to the levels in the atmosphere in the vicinity of an end of a line which can be remotely operated by observation station by tracking a transmitting, the helicopter pilot. balloon-borne sensor package with a radio Report Time The period from discovery of a fire until direction- finder or by radar. A rawinsonde the first person charged with initiating suppression observation is commonly used in determining action is notified of its existence and location. atmospheric stability and for constructing vertical Reserve A tract of land, the legal title to which is held by temperature and wind profiles. the Crown, set apart for the use and benefit of a Re-Certification An ongoing or periodic assessment of First Nations band. an individual’s ability to demonstrate competency Residence Time The length of time required for the and remain current in a specific position or role. flaming zone or fire front of a spreading forest fire Rear The portion of the fire perimeter that is opposite to to pass a given point, most commonly expressed the head. The rear is usually the slowest spreading in minutes (min) and/or seconds (s). Numerically, part of the fire. See Parts of a Fire. it is equal to the flame depth divided by the rate Reburn Subsequent burning of an area previously burned. of spread. Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) The person Resistance to Control The relative ease of establishing responsible for receiving and distributing all and holding a fireguard and/or securing a control supplies and equipment (other than primary line as determined by the difficulty of control and resources), and the service and repair of tools and resistance to fireguard construction. equipment. Resistance to Fireguard Construction The relative Recorders Individuals within ICS organizational units difficulty of constructing fireguards as determined who are responsible for recording information. by fuel type characteristics (e.g. forest floor Recorders may be found in Planning, Logistics, depth), effects of topography on access (e.g. slope or Finance/Administration Units. steepness), and mineral soil type. Relative Humidity (RH) The ratio, expressed as a Resource Clerk (RESC) The person responsible for percentage, of the amount of water vapour or support to the Resource Unit. moisture in the air to the maximum amount of Resources Personnel and major items of equipment, moisture that the air would hold at the same dry- supplies, and facilities available or potentially bulb temperature and atmospheric pressure. RH available for assignment to incident operations and can vary from 0 to 100 percent. for which status is maintained. Resources are

25 described by Kind and Type and may be used in Run - drop The flight path of the airtanker to the target. operational support or supervisory capacities at an Safety Attitude A person’s tendency to respond positively incident or at an emergency operations center. toward a safety goal, idea, plan, procedure, Resources - Available The number of exchangable prevention, or situation. resources currently available. This is expected Safety Margin The cushion of time in excess of the time to change throughout the season due to internal needed by firefighters to get to a safety zone before resource demand. the fire gets to them. Resources - Exportable The number of resources the Safety Officer (SOF) A member of the command agency controls that meet all the Interagency staff who is responsible for monitoring response Exchange Standards for the resource Kind and operations and advising the Incident Commander Type. on all matters related to the safety of operations, Resources - Seasonal The base level, or seasonal including the health and safety of personnel. complement level for each specified resource Kind Safety Zone A location clear of fuels and of sufficient size and Type. The numbers reported reflect the to allow for safe shelter during the passage of the planned inventory levels. fire front. Resources Unit Functional unit within the Planning Salvo - drop A technique whereby a specified number Section responsible for recording the status of of doors in a compartmented tank are opened resources committed to the incident. This simultaneously. Unit also evaluates resources currently committed Section The organizational level having responsibility to the incident, the impact that additional for a major functional area of incident responding resources will have on the incident, and management (e.g. Operations, Planning, anticipated resource needs. Logistics, Finance/Administration, and Resources Unit Leader (RESL) The person responsible Intelligence/Investigations (if established). The for establishing all incident check-in activities; Section is organizationally situated between the preparing and processing resource status Branch and the Incident Command. information; preparing and maintaining displays, Sector On large incidents, a division can be further charts, and lists that reflect the current status and geographically subdivided into sectors. Sectors location of suppression resources, transportation, can be managed by a Task Force Leader or Strike and support vehicles; and maintaining a master Team Leader depending on the resources assigned. check-in list of resources assigned to the incident. Sector Leader (SCLD) The person responsible for Restricted Fire Zone A specific area where outdoor fires directing a combination of personnel, crews, or are not permitted. other types of equipment in performing tactical Retardant Base The ground facilities for mixing, storing, missions on a sector (specific piece of fire line). and loading fire retardant into aircraft. Senior Agency Representative (SREP) A representative Rising Ground - Terrain Indicates that the ground ahead of the Sending Participant based at a Receiving or beside the target is higher than the target Participant’s Fire Centre, who has been delegated elevation itself. authority to make decisions on matters affecting Risk Broadly, the effect of uncertainty on objectives. Risk the Sending Participant’s resources at an incident is often expressed in terms of a combination of or within that jurisdiction. The SREP reports the consequences of an event and the associated to the Interagency Resource Representative likelihood of occurrence. (IARR) or the Sending Participants’ Coordinating Risk Management Framework Set of components Authority and is the link between the field AREPS that provide the foundations and organizational and the IARR. arrangements for designing, implementing, Service Branch A Branch within the Logistics Section monitoring, reviewing and continually improving responsible for service activities at the incident. risk management throughout the organization. Includes the Communications, Medical, and Food Roll Up - drop A load placed in front of a visible reference Units. point, such as another retardant load, a structure, Service Branch Director (SVBD) The person responsible a water body, etc. The intent is to have the load for managing all service activities at the incident. end as it reaches the given reference point. The Service Branch Director supervises the Rotor Downwash The air turbulence occurring under and operations of the Communications, Medical, and around the main rotor system(s) of an operating Food Unit Leaders. rotary-wing aircraft. Short - drop Assessment that the drop landed before a

26 designated point. applies to the special attachments, but it may Show Me Run A simulated bombing run made on a target also refer to the attachments and logging skidder by the birddog to indicate target and run to the together. airtanker. Skimmer airtanker A fixed wing aircraft which is capable Side Stepping When bomb runs cannot be made by of self-loading by skimming across the surface of running down a slope, using short drops dropped a water body. at 90 degrees to the slope can build a line. Slash Debris left as a result of forest and other vegetation Single Door - drop A technique in which only one door being altered by forestry practices and other land in a compartmented tank is opened. use activities (e.g. timber harvesting, thinning and Single Resource An individual, a piece of equipment pruning, road construction, seismic line clearing). and its personnel complement, or a crew/team of Slash includes material such as logs, splinters or individuals with an identified work supervisor that chips, tree branches and tops, uprooted stumps, can be used on an incident. and broken or uprooted trees and shrubs. Single-layer Garment Protective garment constructed Slash Disposal The treatment of slash for hazard from a single fabric (not including facing or reduction, silvicultural, or other purposes. interfacing). A single layer garment is one Slashburning The broadcast burning of slash resulting that cannot be easily separated into its major specifically from timber harvesting operations. constituent components. Note: Fabric material Sling A looped line of strap or rope attachable to a lanyard for a single layer garment is received in a finished to lift, lower, or carry cargo beneath a helicopter. state from the fabric supplier or finisher. Garments Slip-on Tank A self-contained unit consisting of a water made from bonded fabrics, laminated fabrics, tank, fire pump, and hose, designed for quick coated fabrics, double cloth, and quilted fabrics, loading on conventional trucks. for example, are considered single layer garments. Slope The upward or downward inclination of the earth’s Siren Wail Siren from the Birddog aircraft signalling to surface (i.e. the deviation in terrain from level the ground personnel that airtanker operations in or flat ground). Most commonly expressed asa the area have been completed. percentage. Numerically, it is equal to the vertical Siren Yelp Siren from the Birddog aircraft signalling to the rise or fall in elevation divided by the horizontal ground personnel of an intended and/or imminent distance and then multiplied by 100. drop from an airtanker. Slope Azimuth The uphill slope direction, 180 degrees Situation Report (SITREP) Document that often opposite the slope aspect. contains confirmed or verified information Slope Equivalent Wind Speed An approach used in the regarding the specific details relating to an FBP System whereby the effect of slope on fire incident. spread with zero wind is given a value in units of Situation Unit Functional unit within the Planning Section wind speed. responsible for the collection, organization, and Small Engine Mecanic (SMEC) The person responsible analysis of incident status information, and for for the repair and maintenance of small engines analysis of the situation as it progresses. powering fire fighting equipment, such as portable Situation Unit Leader (SITL) The person responsible pumps, chainsaws etc. for collecting and organizing incident status Smoke The visible products of combustion rising above a and information and evaluating, analyzing, and fire. displaying that information. Smoke Column Smoke and other gases that form a Situational Awareness The perception of envirinmental column -shaped mass above a fire, characterized conditions with respect to time or space, by sharply defined, billowed edges. the comprehension of their meaning, and the Smoke Haze Haze caused by smoke. projection of changing conditions over time or Smoke Management Scheduling and conducting a space. Situational awareness comprises the first prescribed burning program under predetermined two phases of the observe-orient-decide-act cycle. burning prescriptions and firing techniques that Skidder Unit (1) A self-contained unit consisting of water will minimize the adverse impacts of the resulting tank, fire pump, and hose, specially designed to smoke production in smoke sensitive areas. be carried on a logging skidder for use in fire Smoke Sensitive Area An area in which smoke from suppression. (2) A basket to hold fire fighting outside sources is intolerable, owing to heavy tools and equipment specially designed to be population, transportation services, existing air carried on a logging skidder. (3) The term usually pollution, and/or intensive recreation/tourist use.

27 Smokejumper (SMKJ) A firefighter who travels to wildfire that with currently committed resources, wildland fires by fixed wing aircraft and parachute. sufficient suppression action has been taken that Smouldering A fire burning without flame with low rates the fire is not likely to spread beyond existent of spread. or predetermined boundaries under prevailing and Snag A tree that is hung up on another tree or object. forecasted conditions; with the two letter code Span Refers to a distance equal to the wingspan of the (BH). airtanker being used. Stage of Control - Out (EX): Describes a fire having Span of Control The number of resources for which a been extinguished; with the two letter code (EX). supervisor is responsible, usually expressed as the Stage of Control - Out of control (OC): Describes ratio of supervisors to individuals. An appropriate a wildfire not responding, or only responding on span of control is between 1:3 and 1:7, with a limited basis, to suppression action such that optimal being 1:5. perimeter spread is not being contained: with the Spatial Fire Management System Software that two letter code (OC). produces daily to hourly maps of fire weather and Stage of Control - Under Control (UC): Describes potential fire behaviour based on the interpolation a wildfire having received sufficient suppression of weather observations and fuels maps. action to ensure no further spread of the fire: with Spot Fire A fire ignited by firebrands that are carried the two letter code (UC). outside the main fire perimeter by air currents, Stage of Control: This catagory indicates the current gravity, and/or fire whirls. See Parts of afire. stage of control of the fire, each with a two letter Spot Weather Forecast A special forecast issued to fit code. Out of Control (OC), Being Held (BH), the time, topography, and weather of a specific Under Control (UC) and Out (EX). incident. These forecasts are issued upon request Staging Area Established for the temporary location of the user agency and are more detailed, timely, of available resources. A Staging Area can be and specific than zone forecasts. Usually, on- any location in which personnel, supplies, and site weather observations or a close, representative equipment can be temporarily housed or parked observation is required for a forecast to be issued. while awaiting operational assignment. Spotter In rappelling and smoke jumping operations, the Staging Area Manager (STAM) The person responsible individual responsible for selecting drop target and for managing all activities within a Staging Area. supervising all aspects of dropping smoke jumpers Stakeholder A person, group, organization, or government or rappel crews. with an interest or concern in a particular measure, Spotting A fire producing firebrands carried by the surface proposal, or event. wind, a fire whirl, and/or convection column that Stand Composition The proportion of each tree species fall beyond the main fire perimeter and result in in a stand expressed as a percentage of the total; spot fires. in the fire management sense, as a percentage of Spread Azimuth The direction in which the fire is the crown biomass. spreading, determined by combining the wind and Stand Conversion The process of actively removing slope azimuths. conifer trees in a mixed wood stand to Sprinkler Kit A collection of water thieves, supply hose, simultaneously reduce the total stem density and and water sprinkler heads used to wet the fuels proportion of conifer trees relative to deciduous along the fire perimeter or along a fireguard or trees. in value protection. Quantified by the number of Stand Structure The horizontal and vertical distribution sprinkler heads per kit. of components of a forest stand including Squall Line A narrow, organized band of active the crown layers and stems of trees, shrubs, thunderstorms, often preceding a cold front. herbaceous understory, snags, and downed woody Stable Atmosphere Condition of the atmosphere in which debris. the temperature decrease with increasing altitude Standby A state of readiness to take immediate action is less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. In this upon detection of a fire. condition, the atmosphere tends to suppress large- Start Stop - drop A drop technique for constant flow scale vertical motion. Also known as stable air. tanks where a required start point and stop point Stack - aircraft Vertically established holding pattern over are indicated. a fire for aircraft. Spacing will be at 500ft Static Suction Lift In hydraulics, the term used for the intervals. vertical distance between the surface of the water Stage of Control - Being Held (BH): Describes a supply and the suction inlet of a fire pump; may

28 be positive or negative. Positive suction lift occurs Support Units. when the water supply level is higher than that of Support Branch Director (SUBD) The person the suction inlet (the water is aiding the pump). responsible for developing and implementing If the fire pump is above the water supply it must logistics plans in support of the IAP. The Support lift the water, creating a negative suction lift (the Branch Director supervises the operations of the most common situation). Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units. Status / Check-In Recorder The person responsible, at Suppressant A liquid wherein water is the fire suppressing each check-in location, to ensure that all resources agent, used to extinguish the combustion by direct assigned to an incident are accounted for. application to burning fuels. See Long term Stay An instruction to the airtanker to proceed to a retardant. designated location and wait for a new dispatch. Suppression Crew A unit of fire fighters assembled and Step 1) An instruction to drop parallel to a previous organized for conducting fire suppression, either drop with a specified start point and lateral for initial attack and/or continuing work on fires. adjustment (e.g.: ”Step 1 load width left and tag Crew size, specialization, and configuration are on extend.”). 2) An instruction to correct the final determined by agency procedure. line to the left or the right and maintain the same Surface Fire A fire that burns in the surface fuel layer, heading. Amount to step right or left is usually excluding the crowns of the trees, as either ahead referenced to load width(s). fire, flank fire, or backfire. Strategy The general plan or direction selected to Surface Fuels All combustible materials lying above the accomplish incident objectives. duff layer between the ground and ladder fuels that Strike Team A set number of resources of the same are responsible for propagating surface fires (e.g. kind and type that have an established minimum litter, herbaceous vegetation, low and medium number of personnel, common communications, shrubs, tree seedlings, stumps, downed/dead and a leader. roundwood). Strike Team Leader (STLD) The individual responsible Surfactant A surface active agent or wetting agent. for supervising a strike team. Reports to a A formulation which, when added to water in Division/Group Supervisor or Operations Section proper amounts, will materially reduce the surface Chief. tension of the water and increase penetration and String Drop A technique whereby a specified number of spreading abilities of the water. doors in a compartmented tank are opened in Sustained Action The actions takens by the resources to succession at defined intervals to give an extended contain and completely extinguish the fire. pattern on the ground. Sustained Action Crew Personnel trained, equipped, Structure Protection Unit See Values Protection Unit. and deployed to conduct suppression action on a Subsidence A meteorological term referring to the wildfire for an extended period of time. descending motion of air in the atmosphere, Synoptic Chart Any map on which weather data and usually extending over a rather broad area, analyses are presented depicting the state of accompanied by warming and drying. meteorological conditions over a large area at the Supervisor The person responsible for a Division or Group. earth’s surface and at various levels in the upper Supply Unit Functional unit within the Support Branch atmosphere, at a particular time. of the Logistics Section responsible for ordering Tactical Withdrawl A planned departure from the fireline equipment and supplies required for incident using pre-established escape routes and safety operations. zones. Departure is based on pre-established Supply Unit Clerk (SPEC) The person responsible for trigger points (e.g., time of day, observed weather support to the Supply Unit. or fire behaviour); or observations made on the Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) The person responsible fireline leading to a well-communicated, orderly for ordering personnel, equipment, and supplies; departure. receiving and storing all supplies for the incident; Tactics The set of specific, measurable actions or tasks for maintaining an inventory of supplies; and servicing various incident management functional activities nonexpendable supplies and equipment. that support the defined strategies. Support Branch A Branch within the Logistics Section Tag On Connecting the tail end of a drop to a given point. responsible for providing personnel, equipment, Tag On And Extend To drop retardant in such a way and supplies to support incident operations. that the load slightly overlaps and then lengthens Includes the Supply, Facilities, and Ground a previous drop. A 25 percent overlap for

29 conventional drops or 30 to 40 feet (for constant orally from generation to generation. flow tanks) is desired. Traditional Lands As land ownership systems evolved Tail End - drop The aft end of a drop on the ground. over time and with the introduction of protected Tanker Used as a short form for airtanker. area policies and large infrastructure development, Target Altitude The desired and safe altitude (determined Indigenous peoples have found themselves during the inspection run) that the airtanker is increasingly marginalized, exploited, and displaced expected to fly over the target. from traditional land and sources of food. Target Elevation The desired and safe elevation Trainee An individual who has acquired a pre-arranged (determined during the inspection run) that the series of competencies (knowledge, abilities, and airtanker is expected to fly over the target. skills) but requires additional experience in a Target Now A voice signal from the birddog on a lead-in specific role. The Trainee requires direct or show me to indicate the target location. supervision by a person who is certified in the role Task Force Any combination of resources assembled or position and meets the Interagency Exchange for a particular tactical need, with common Standard for that role or position, to which the communications and a Leader. Trainee is assigned to for the duration of the Task Force Leader (TFLD) The individual responsible assignment. for supervising a task force. Reports to a Training The learning process involving the acquisition of Division/Group Supervisor or Operations Section knowledge, skills and competencies. Chief. Travel Time The period between departure of the initial Technical Specialist (THSP) Personnel with special skills attack force for a fire and its arrival at the fire. that can be used anywhere within the Incident Turnaround Time Time used by an air tanker or helitanker Command System organization. to reload and return to the fire. Thermal Imagery Visual presentation or printed Type of Resource A classification of resources that refers document from an infrared detector. to capability. Type 1 is more capable than Types Thunderhead A popular term for a cumulonimbus cloud 2, 3, or 4 respectively, because of size, power, formation associated with a thunderstorm. It is capacity, or in the case of Incident Management characterized by a large vertical column topped Teams experience and qualifications. by a mushroom or anvil-shaped head. UHF frequency The Ultra High Frequency radio frequency Thunderstorm A localized storm producing lightning and range, between 300 and 3000 MHz. thunder. Underburning Prescribed burning under a forest canopy Tie-in - drop Instruction to connect a drop or portion of without the involvement of canopy fuels. a drop to a specific reference point. Unified Area Command (UAC) Command established Time Unit Functional unit within the Finance/Administration when incidents under an Area Command are multi- Section responsible for recording time for incident jurisdictional. personnel and hired equipment. Unified Command (UC) An application used when Time Unit Leader (TIME) The person responsible more than one agency has incident jurisdiction for recording personnel time and managing the or when incidents cross political jurisdictions. commissary operation. Agencies work together through the designated Timelag The drying time required for dead fuels to lose members of the Unified Command (UC), often the two-thirds of the difference between their initial senior persons from the agencies and/or disciplines moisture content and their equilibrium moisture participating in the UC, to establish a common set content. The fuels represented by the Fine Fuel of objectives and strategies and a single Incident Moisture Code, Duff Moisture Code, and Drought Action Plan. Code in the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index Unit The organizational element with functional System have timelag values of 2/3 (or 16 hours), responsibility for a specific incident Planning, 15, and 53 days in average weather, respectively. Logistics, or Finance/Administration activity. Torching The ignition of a single tree or small group of Unit Leader The individual in charge of managing Units trees from the bottom up. within an Incident Command System functional Traditional Knowledge The knowledge, innovations, and section. The Unit can be staffed by a number practices of Indigenous and local communities. of support personnel providing a wide range of Developed from experience gained over the services. centuries and adapted to the local culture and Unity of Command Principle of management stating that environment, traditional knowledge is transmitted each individual involved in incident operations will

30 be assigned to only one supervisor.. MHz range. Unstable Atmosphere The temperature decrease with VHF-FM Very High Frequency Frequency Modulation altitude is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse radio. Commonly used for dispatch, land-based rate. mobile, and airborne communications. Generally Uphill Run - drop A bomb run that requires the airtanker 46 to 175 Mhz. to continue or initiate a climb in order to clear Virga Wisps or streaks of water or ice particles falling out of terrain following the drop. a cloud but evaporating before reaching the earth’s Upper Ridge A meteorological term referring to an surface as precipitation. elongated area of relatively high atmospheric Viscosity The relative ability of a fluid to resist flow. pressure in the upper atmosphere; usually Visibility Trim Retroreflective, fluorescent, or combination associated with warm and dry weather conditions retroreflective and fluorescent material attached at the earth’s surface. The opposite of an upper permanently to the outer material for visibility ridge is an upper trough. enhancement. Note: Retroreflective materials Upper Ridge Breakdown A weakening or collapse of an enhance night time visibility, and fluorescent upper ridge; generally associated with an increase materials improve day time visibility. in fire weather severity at the earth’s surface. Vortex Turbulence Horizontal whirlwind(s) created in Upper Trough A meteorological term referring to an the wake of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft elongated area of relatively low atmospheric that are in flight. Under certain atmospheric pressure in the upper atmosphere; often associated conditions, this turbulent air can be projected with cool and showery weather conditions at the to the ground and in turn adversely affect fire earth’s surface. The opposite of an upper trough behaviour. A small fire or segment of a fire is an upper ridge. perimeter can unexpectedly flare up, particularly if Values Protection Unit Combination of power pumps, the wind speed is light and an unstable atmosphere hose, sprinkler heads and other accessories exists. deployed together in value protection. May Vulnerability How easily damaged a particular value is in include personnel required to maintain the unit. a fire of a given intensity. Values-at-Risk The specific or collective set of Water Bladder (slingable) Closed water bladder designed natural resources and man-made improvements/ to be slung by helicopter to provide a water source developments that have measurable or intrinsic to a remote location. worth and that could of may be destroyed or Water Bombing The act of dropping suppressants, otherwise altered by fire in any given area. (water, foam, or enhanced water solutions) onto Ventilation Index The ventilation index is a numerical a fire from an aircraft in flight. value relating to the potential of the atmosphere Water Enhancer A product that relies primarily on the to disperse airborne pollutants from a stationary water it contains for firefighting. These products source (e.g. smoke from a prescribed fire). contain polymers or other thickeners to improve Five ventilation classes, from poor to excellent performance by: a) aiding in adherence to fuels, b) dispersion, are defined for use in operational allowing build-up of a thick, protective wet layer, forecasting. and c) minimizing drift during aerial application. Verbal Description - drop A technique whereby the Water Tender A vehicle used to transport water for a birddog identifies targets by verbally describing the fireline to fill portable relay tanks and thereby bomb run and target position. provide a continual supply of water. Vertical Temperature Profile A plot of actual air Water Thief A type of bleeder valve designed for temperature against height above the earth’s installation at convenient points in hose lines to surface; most commonly determined by a permit drawing off water for filling back-pack rawinsonde observation. pumps or other use without interfering with pump Vertical Wind Profile A plot of winds aloft against or nozzle operation. height above the earth’s surface; most commonly Weather Map A map or chart depicting the meteorological determined by a rawinsonde observation. conditions over a specific geographic area ata VHF Very High Frequency radio. The standard aircraft specific time. radio that all civil aircraft use to communicate Wet Foam The bubbles of wet foams are spherical masses with ground radio stations and other aircraft. of air which are enclosed in solution. The bubble VHF-AM Very High Frequency Amplitude Modulation. walls are separated by a large amount of solution, Aircraft radio operates in the 118 MHz to 130 relative to other types of foams. Wet foams have

31 very fast drainage rates. Wind Azimuth The direction the wind is blowing, that is Wet Water Water with added chemicals, called wetting 180 degrees opposite the wind direction. agents, that increase spreading and penetrating Wind Direction The direction from which the wind properties of water by reducing its surface tension. is blowing. Wind direction is most commonly Wet-bulb Temperature The lowest temperature to referred to by cardinal direction (e.g. North, East, which the air can be cooled by evaporating South, West) but may also be expressed in degrees water into it at a constant atmospheric pressure. (i.e. 1D to 360D). Recommended unit is degrees Celsius. Wind Speed The rate of horizontal motion of the Wetting Agent A chemical that reduces the surface air. In the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating tension of water causing it to spread and penetrate System and in fire weather forecasts, wind speed more effectively. is assumed to be measured or estimated at a WFX-FIT An unbiased, valid, job-related physical standard height of 10 metres in the open on level performance standard used to determine whether terrain. Recommended unit is kilometres per hour an individual possesses the physical capabilities (km/h). necessary to meet the rigorous demands encountered while fighting wildland fires. Windfall A tree or trees that have been uprooted or broken Wildfire Any natural caused or unplanned human caused off by wind, or an area of previously standing fires that is burning in and consumes natural fuels: timber that has been blown over by strong winds forest, brush, tundra, grass, etc. Also include or storms. escaped prescribed fires.. Workwear - fireline Protective workwear such as, but Wildfire Risk The combination of the likelihood of a not limited to, coveralls, trousers and shirts, wildfire occurring combined with the potential designed to provide a degree of protection against impacts of that fire. the adverse effects of fire and radiant heatto Wildland An area in which development is essentially non- the firefighter’s body during wildland firefighting. existent, except for roads, railroads, powerlines, Fireline workwear covers the body from the neck and similar transportation facilities, and where to the wrists and ankles and may or may not structures, if any, are widely scattered. completely cover the neck. It does not include Wildland Fire Any fire that is burning in and consume add-on accessories, such as, but not limited to natural fuels : forest, brush, tundra, grass, etc. belts, backpacks and external harnesses. Includes wildfires and prescribed fires.. Wye A three-way hose line accessory permitting two lines Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) The area where homes of hose to be taken from a single supply line, with and other human developments meet or are no provisions to regulate stream flow. See Gated intermxed with wildland fire fuels. Wye.

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