Canadian Wildland Fire Glossary

CIFFC Training Working Group

December 10, 2020

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 its’ 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 Agency Dispatch The agency or jurisdictional facility from Constitution of 1982, which includes North which resources are sent to incidents. American First Nations, Inuit, and M´etispeoples Airtanker A fixed wing aircraft fitted with tanks and of Canada. equipment for dropping suppressants or retardants Abort To cancel an intended maneuver. on fires. They are divided into two categories, Accuracy - air drop The assessment of an airtanker drop land-based and skimmer. in relation to the target. Airtanker Base An operational base at which airtankers Aerial Ignition Device (AID) Any device used for the are held in readiness for action on fires. purpose of aerial ignition. Air Temperature See Dry-bulb temperature. Aerial Ignition The ignition of fuels by dropping incendiary Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) The person devices or materials from an aircraft. primarily responsible for the coordination of all Aerial Detection Observer A person specifically assigned tactical missions of fixed and/or rotary-wing to the detection of forest fires from an aircraft. aircraft operating in incident airspace. The Aerial Detection A system for or the act of discovering, function may be performed in an aerial platform locating, and reporting wildfires from aircraft. or ground based. May be planned or unplanned. Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) The person After Action Review (AAR) A structured review or de- responsible for planning and oversight of incident brief process of an event, focused on performance aircraft support functions (helibase, helispot and standards, that enables participants to discover Fixed Wing Air Bases). for themselves what happened, why it happened, Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) The person and how to sustain strengths and improve on primarily responsible for managing the resources weaknesses. After action reviews, informal or within the air operations branch, as well as formal, follow the same general format, involve preparing and implementing the air operations the exchange of ideas and observations, and focus portion of the Incident Action Plan. Also on improving performance. responsible for providing logistical support to Agency A division of government with a specific function helicopters operating on the incident. offering a particular kind of assistance. In Air Mass A meteorological term referring to an extensive the Incident Command System, agencies are body of air within which the conditions of defined either as jurisdictional (having statutory temperature and moisture in a horizontal plane responsibility for incident management) or as are essentially uniform. assisting or cooperating (providing resources or Air Cargo All items for transport and delivery by aircraft. other assistance). Governmental organizations are Air Attack Officer (AAON) The person responsible most often in charge of an incident, though in for directing, coordinating, and supervising a fire certain circumstances private-sector organizations suppression operation involving the use of aircraft may be included. Additionally, nongovernmental to deliver retardants or suppressants on a fire. organizations may be included to provide support. Air Attack A fire suppression operation involving the use Agency Representative (AREP) A person assigned by of aircraft to deliver fire fighting suppressants or a primary, assisting, or cooperating agency to an retardants to a wildfire. incident who has been delegated authority to make Alert A period when fire fighters, fire control equipment, decisions affecting that agency’s participation at and aircraft are kept ready for deployment on short the incident. notice, usually when the fire danger reaches a Agency Executive or Administrator The official predetermined degree of severity. responsible for administering policy for an All-hazard / All-risk Describing an incident, natural or agency or jurisdiction, having full authority for human caused, that warrants action to protect administering policy for an agency or jurisdiction, life, property, environment, and public health or having full authority for making decisions, safety, and minimize disruption of government, and providing direction to the management social, and economic activities. organization for an incident. 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 Stability A meteorological term referring to surrounding area at the same levels and whose the resistance of the atmosphere to turbulence centre has the highest pressure. Synonym - High and vertical motion (upward). With reference pressure. to fire management activities the atmosphere is Area Commander (ACDR) The person responsible to usually described as neutral, stable, or unstable manage a very large incident that has multiple with respect to the dry adiabatic lapse rate. IMTs assigned. These teams may be established Atmospheric Pressure The gravitational force exerted any time the incidents are close enough that by a column of air extending from the point of oversight direction is required. concern to the outer limits of the atmosphere. Area Command (AC) An organization established to Recommended unit is the kilopascal (kPa), oversee the management of multiple incidents although millibar (mb) has been the most common that are each being handled by a separate unit of measurement. Incident Command System organization, or to Attack The actual physical fire fighting operation. oversee the management of a very large or Available Resources Resources assigned to an incident evolving incident that has multiple incident that are checked in and available for a mission management teams engaged. An Agency assignment; normally located in a Staging Area. Executive/Administrator or other public official Available Fuel The quantity of fuel in a particular fuel type with jurisdictional responsibility for the incident that would actually be consumed under specified usually makes the decision to establish an Area burning conditions. Command. An Area Command is activated only Back See Rear of Fire. if necessary, depending on the complexity of the Backfire A fire spreading, or set to spread, into or against incident and span-of-control considerations. 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, Incident The location at which primary Logistics operational objectives defined in the Incident functions for an incident are coordinated and

2 administered. There is only one Base per incident. a Show Me Run to indicate target location. May (Incident name or other designator will be added be given as Bombs Away Now, Target Now, Start to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post Now. may be co-located with the Incident Base. Branch The organizational level having functional or Base/Camp Manager (BCMG) The person responsible geographical responsibility for major aspects of for appropriate sanitation and facility management incident operations. A Branch is organizationally services in the assigned Base or Camp. situated between the Section Chief and the Base Leg The leg of the bombing circuit immediately Division or Group in the Operations Section, preceding and perpendicular to the final leg. and between Section and Units in the Logistics Batch Mixer The container in which batching is done. Section. Branches are identified by the use of In retardant mixing operations, it is a tank, Roman numerals or by functional name. usually 4550 litres (1,000 gallons), in which Branch Director The person responsible for implementing powdered retardant and water are mixed together the portion of the Incident Action plan applicable by mechanical means to produce the final product. to the assigned Branch. Batch Mix Manually adding one suppressant ingredient to Break - airtanker A command for an aircraft to another to develop the final product. Batching can immediately turn left or right. involve a powder and a liquid or two liquids. For Broadcast Burning Intentional burning of debris on a foams, it is the process of manually pouring foam designated unit of land, where the fuel has not concentrate into water to make a foam solution. been piled or windrowed, allowing fire to spread Foam is produced when the solution is pumped freely over the entire area. down a hose and out an aspirating nozzle. For Bucker An individual who is certified to operate a chainsaw fire retardants it is the process of adding powder on trees already on the ground. to a measured amount of water and mechanically Buildup The hourly increase in cumulus cloud cover over agitating it to produce fire retardant. 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-P3 Short for probability, prediction, and planning, tree movement). Suggested for use when an Burn-P3 is a spatial fire simulation model that is anemometer is lacking or is not in operating used for land-management planning and wildland condition. fire research. It uses the Canadian Wildland Fire Birddog Aircraft An aircraft carrying the person (Air Simulation Model to determine the ignition and Attack Officer) directing the fire bombing action spread of a very large number of fires in order to on the fire. determine fire likelihood. Bladder Portable, collapsible, soft material container, Burning Prescription A written statement and/or list transported externally by helicopter and used to defining the objectives to be attained from transport water. Often used for providing small prescribed burning, as well as the burning water supply to field staff in remote locations. The conditions under which fire will be allowed to sealed unit has filling and discharge ports, most burn, generally expressed as acceptable ranges often in a triangular shape and has built in straps of the various parameters, and the limit of the with rings for hook up for slinging by helicopter. geographical area to be covered. Blowup A somewhat sudden, and sometimes unexpected, Burning Period That part of each 24-hour day when fires major increase in rate of spread and head fire are generally the most active. Typically, this is intensity sufficient to upset overall fire suppression from mid -morning to sundown, although it varies action or plans. Blowups can result from small or with latitude and the time of year. large fire situations. Burning Out A fire suppression operation where fire is set Bomb Run The path the airtanker flies on the approach along the inside edge of a control line or natural up to the target. barrier to consume unburned fuel between the Bombs Away Now A voice signal from the birddog on line and the fire perimeter, thereby reinforcing the

3 existing line and speeding up the control effort. Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Generally a limited, small-scale routine operation Representative (CREP) The CIFFC as opposed to backfiring. Representative (CREP) utilizes a variety of skills Burning Off A fire suppression operation where fire is set and abilities to provide coordination services to consume islands of unburned fuel inside the fire between the CIFFC Duty Officer/Operations perimeter usually during mop-up operations. Manager and the Receiving Agency Duty Officer Burning Conditions The state of the combined and their associated support staff, along with components of the fire environment that influence liaising with any Senior Agency Representative fire behaviour and fire impacting a given fuel type. (SREP) and Agency Representative (AREPs) from Usually specified in terms of such factors asfire assisting CIFFC member agencies. weather elements, fire danger indexes, fuel load, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) and slope. Founded in 1982, CIFFC has a mandate to provide Burnover An event in which a fire moves through a operational wildland fire management services location or overtakes personnel or equipment to member agencies that will, by agreement, where there is no opportunity to utilize escape gather, analyse, and disseminate fire management routes and safety zones, often resulting in personal information to ensure a cost effective sharing injury or equipment damage. of resources; and actively promote, develop, Burn Window A time period within a short-term refine, standardise, and provide services to planning horizon in which the forecasted fire member agencies that will improve wildland fire weather is within the previously determined management in Canada. range in order to proceed with a prescribed Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System A burn. Typically incorporating aspects of both component of the Forest Fire Danger Assessment atmospheric conditions such as the Initial Spread Methodology. The components of the Canadian Index, as well as fuel dryness, such as the Buildup Forest Fire Danger Index Method provide a Index. relative numerical assessment of the potential fire Burn Severity Organic matter consumption from flaming danger in a benchmark fuel type (a mature jack and smouldering combustion, and the resulting pine stand) and in flat terrain. The results are ecosystem impacts. Can be assessed in the field based solely on successive observations, measured or using satellite remote sensing techniques. with a suitable weather station at noon each day Bust Several forest fires usually ignited by lightning striking (12:00 noon solar time or 1:00 p.m. daylight simultaneously in the same region.. time), of four (4) weather parameters: air Byram’s Fireline Intensity see Fire Intensity. temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and Cache A pre-determined complement of tools, equipment, precipitation. The method described above is and/or supplies stored in a designated location, applied uniformly across Canada. available for incident use. Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System Called Shot A drop technique whereby the birddog triggers (CFFDRS) The national system of rating fire the airtanker drop by voice command, saying “3, danger in Canada. The CFFDRS includes all 2, 1, now”. guides to the evaluation of fire danger and the Camp A geographical site within the general incident prediction of fire behaviour such as the Canadian area, (separate from the Incident Base), equipped Forest Fire Weather Index System and Canadian and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water, and Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System. sanitary services to incident personnel. Canadian Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System Campaign Fire A fire of such size, complexity (FBP) A subsystem of the Canadian Forest and/or priority that its extinction requires a Fire Danger Rating System. The FBP System large organization, high resource commitment, provides quantitative outputs of fire behaviour significant expenditure, and prolonged suppression characteristics for certain major Canadian fuel activity. types and topographic situations. Canadian Wildland Fire Simulation Model A Cargo Net A special net, approved by the Ministry of deterministic wildland fire growth simulation Transport, attached by a lanyard to a helicopter model based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger cargo hook and used to haul supplies. Rating System. The model computes spatially- Cargo Dropping The dropping of equipment or supplies explicit fire behaviour and spread outputs given from an aircraft in flight, with or without a fuel, topography and weather inputs. parachute.

4 Centrifugal Pump A pump that expels water by and water vapour, and heat energy is released centrifugal force through the ports of a circular very rapidly. Flaming combustion is characterized 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 Unit Leader (COML) The person established by the Incident Commander. responsible for developing plans for the Chicot A standing dead tree or a dead limb of a tree that effective use of incident communications may endanger a worker. equipment and facilities; installing and testing Chief The ICS title for individuals responsible for communications equipment; supervising the management of functional sections: Operations, Incident Communications Center; distributing Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration. communications equipment to incident personnel; Circuit Altitude The highest altitude in the circuit the and maintaining and repairing communications airtanker will attain during skimming operations. equipment. Claims Specialist (CLMS) The person who is responsible Communications Unit An organizational Unit in for managing all claims related activities (other the Logistics Section responsible for providing than injury) for an incident. communication services to an incident. Clerk (CLRK) The person responsible for providing Communications Technician (COMT) The person administrative support to any Section as assigned. responsible for installing, maintaining, and Clock Method A means of referencing a target or point tracking communications 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/Claims Unit Leader (COMP) The Combination Nozzle Used for applying water as either a person responsible for the overall management and solid stream or a fixed spray pattern. direction of all administrative matters pertaining Combustion A chemical oxidation-type process in which to compensation for injury and claims-related heat is produced (i.e. a substance is combined activities related to an incident. with oxygen). In the case of forest fires, living and Compensation Unit/Claims Unit Functional unit within dead fuels are converted to mainly carbon dioxide the Finance/Administration Section responsible

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

6 above a surface fire as a result of convection. Density Altitude Altitude as determined by pressure Crown Fuels The standing and supported forest altitude and existing air temperature. Density combustibles not in direct contact with the ground altitude is used as an index to aircraft performance that are generally only consumed in crown fires characteristics such as take-off distance and rate (e.g. foliage, twigs, branches, cones). of climb. Crown Fraction Burned (CFB) The proportion of tree Depth of Burn (DOB) The reduction in forest crowns involved in the fire in a given area. floor thickness due to consumption by fire. Between 10 and 89 percent is considered an Recommended unit is centimetres (cm). intermittent crown fire, while over 90 percent is Deputy A fully qualified individual who, in the absence ofa a continuous crown fire. superior, can be delegated the authority to manage Crown Fire A fire that advances through the crown fuel a functional operation or perform a specific task. layer, usually in conjunction with a surface fire. In some cases, a Deputy can act as relief for a Crown Base Height The height, above ground, where the superior, and therefore must be fully qualified in live crown of coniferous trees begins. 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 Pattern A predetermined flight plan for time (e.g. week, month, year), at either a single detection aircraft. fire weather station or spatially over a number of Detection Aircraft An aircraft deployed for the express stations. purpose of discovering, locating, and reporting Damage Appraisal A method of determining financial or wildfires. 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 Leader The person responsible for reporting of the fire is not required. preparing the Demobilization Plan and schedule, Discovery Time The period from the start of a fire ensuring an orderly, safe, and efficient movement (estimated or known) until the time the fire was of personnel and equipment from the incident. discovered. Demobilization Unit Functional unit within the Planning Dispatch The ordered movement of a resource or Section responsible for assuring orderly, safe, and resources to an assigned operational mission or an efficient demobilization of any incident resources administrative move from one location to another. to the original location and status. Dispatcher (DISP) The person responsible for notifying

7 resources to assigned incidents. Drought A period of relatively long duration with Divert The action of changing assignment from one target substantially less than normal precipitation, or fire to another. occurring usually over a wide area. Division The partition of an incident into geographical Drought Code (DC) A numerical rating of the average 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-bulb Temperature The temperature registered by Division Supervisor (DIVS) The person responsible for a dry-bulb thermometer, and identical to the supervising equipment and personnel assigned to temperature of the air in the normal sense. a division. Reports to a Branch Director or Recommended unit is degrees Celsius. Operations Section Chief. Dry Lightning Storm A thunderstorm with negligible Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL) The person precipitation reaching the ground. responsible for maintaining accurate and complete Dry Foam A type of foam with very thin bubble walls incident files, providing duplication services to and only small amounts of solution between the incident personnel, and packing and storing bubbles. These types of foams have very slow incident files. drainage rates. Documentation Unit Functional unit within the Planning Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate A meteorological term Section responsible for collecting, recording, referring to the rate of decrease of temperature and safeguarding all documents relevant to the with height of a parcel of dry air ascending in incident. the atmosphere without mixing or heat exchange. Door Length The distance actually covered by a single A typical value is approximately 1 degree Celsius door of the load on the ground. per 100 metres of altitude. Conversely, dry air Door Interval The time delay between doors for any drop descending in the atmosphere warms at the same sequence. rate. Double Door Salvo A technique whereby two doors are Duff The layer of partially and fully decomposed organic opened simultaneously. materials lying below the litter and immediately Double Door A technique whereby two doors are opened above the mineral soil. It corresponds to the simultaneously from a compartmentalized tank. 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 Smoke Smoke that has drifted from its origin and Early - drop Advice that the drop is to be or was triggered has lost any column structure. short of a designated point. Drift - airtanker drop Advice or indication that a Ecosystem impacts Disturbance characteristics such as wind condition exists of sufficient velocity to portion of vegetation killed or damaged, effects significantly affect aerial drop placements and that on soil organisms, and post-fire regeneration a correction factor must be allowed for wind drift. 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 Zone The area immediately surrounding or adjacent liquid into the stream. to the airtanker intended target. Effective Wind Speed The sum of the vectors of the 10- Drop Sequence The order and method in which the doors m open wind speed and the slope equivalent wind are opened. speed. Drop Leg A part of the airtanker circuit. The approach Elliptical Fire Growth Model A model of a free- and departure from the target. burning point source fire with an elliptical shape. Drop Height The height of the airtanker at load release, Assumptions include uniform and constant fuels, usually given in feet above the tree canopy. homogeneous topography, constant but non-zero

8 wind, and no suppression. planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, Emergency Operations Plan The ongoing plan inadequate, or compromised. These situations maintained by various jurisdictional levels for may or may not result in injury. responding to a wide variety of potential hazards. Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) The moisture Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) The physical content that a fuel element would attain if location at which the coordination of information exposed for an infinite period in an environment and resources to support incident management of specified constant dry-bulb temperature and (on-scene operations) activities normally takes relative humidity. When a fuel element has place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or reached its EMC, it neither gains nor loses may be located in a more central or permanently moisture as long as conditions remain constant. established facility, perhaps at a higher level Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) The Equipment of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs Time Recorder is responsible for tracking and may be organized by major functional disciplines posting equipment time on an incident. (e.g., fire, law enforcement, medical services), Escaped Fire Analysis The process of deciding what by jurisdiction (e.g., federal, provincial, regional, action to take on an escaped fire. This involves municipal), or by some combination thereof. a review and analysis of the threats to public Sometimes referred to as Emergency Coordination safety, values, resource management objectives, Centre (ECC). probable fire effects, existing fire load, present Emergency Fire Fighter (EFF) Personnel other than and anticipated fire behaviour, availability of fire regular employees or seasonally employed crews, suppression resources, probability of successful hired on a casual basis for presuppression and control, and feasible fire suppression methods. suppression related work activities. Escaped Fire A wildfire (or prescribed fire that has burned Emergency dump Release of an aircraft’s entire load due beyond its intended area) that remains not under to an emergency. control following initial attack. Engine Specialized truck on which is mounted a water Escape Route A pre-determined route that can be used tank, pump, hose and supplementary equipment. by anyone in the event that a fire begins an It is used to bring a self contained water source to unexpected run that will jeopardize the safety of a fire with the capability of pumping water through crews or anyone else on the fire line. The escape a hose line directly from the tank to a fire. route will take everyone to another pre-determined Engine operator (ENOP) The person responsible for the location (safety zone). safe and efficient use of a wildland fire engine on Excursion An unplanned but acceptable enlargement of an incident. the area intended to be treated with prescribed Engine Boss (ENGB) The person that leads a single fire fire which does not greatly affect any values and engine and attached personnel and is responsible involves a minimum of suppression effort. for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire Expendable equipment Items that cannot be reused, incidents. refurbished, or recycled. Engine - Type 7 An engine equipped with a 10 gallons Exposure Proportion of amount of a value that interacts per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 50 to 200 with a hazard. Exposure is a function of time gallons and 200 ft of 1.5 inch hose. and distance based on the physical process being Engine - Type 6 An engine equipped with a 30 gallons considered (i.e. ember transport versus radiant per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 150 to 400 heating). gallons and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. Extend - airtanker Either (1) An instruction to aircraft Engine - Type 5 An engine equipped with a 50 gallons to tag on and continue the line in the required per minute pump at 100 psi, capacity 400 to 700 direction; or (2) Instruction to extend a circuit, gallons and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. leg or bomb run beyond a designated point. Engine - Type 4 An engine equipped with a 50 gallons per Extreme Fire Behaviour A level of fire behaviour that minute pump at 100 psi, capacity over 750 gallons often precludes any fire suppression action. It and 300 ft of 1.5 inch hose. usually involves one or more of the following Engine - Type 3 An engine equipped with a 150 gallons characteristics: high rate of spread and head fire per minute pump at 250 psi, capacity over 500 intensity, crowning, prolific spotting, presence of gallons and 500 ft of 1.5 inch hose. 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.

9 Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) The person responsible for In a general sense, the working area around a fire. laying out and operating incident facilities (Base, Fire Whirl A spinning, moving column of hot air and gases Camp(s), and ICP) and managing Base and Camp rising up from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, operations. Each Base and Camp may be assigned debris, flame and firebrands. These range from a manager. less than one metre to several hundred metres in Facilities Unit Functional unit within the Support Branch diameter. They may involve the entire fire area or of the Logistics Section that provides fixed only hot spots within or outside the fire perimeter. facilities for the incident. These facilities may Fire Weather Index A numerical rating of fire intensity include the Incident Base, feeding areas, sleeping that combines the Initial Spread Index and Buildup areas, sanitary facilities, etc. Index. It is suitable as a general index of fire Faller (FALL) A person who is qualified under workplace danger throughout the forested areas of Canada. regulations to fall non-danger trees on an incident. Fire Weather Forecast A prediction of the future state False Smoke Any phenomenon mistaken for smoke. of the atmosphere prepared specifically to meet Field Observer (FOBS) The person responsible for the needs of fire management in fire suppression collecting incident status information from and prescribed burning operations. Two types personal observations at the incident and of forecasts are most common: The zone or providing this information to the activated area weather forecast is issued on a regular basis function, or other resources. during the fire season for a particular geographical Final - drop A low level route to the target in which the region and/or one or more fire weather stations. airtanker intends to make the drop. The final leg is These regions are delineated on the basis of fire the last leg of the bombing circuit, perpendicular climate and/or administrative considerations. A to the base leg. spot weather forecast is issued to fit the time, Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC) topography, and weather of a specific campaign The person responsible for all financial, fire location or prescribed fire site. These forecasts administrative, and cost analysis aspects of the are issued on request and are more detailed, timely, incident and for supervising members of the and specific than zone or area weather forecasts. Finance/Administration Section. Fire Weather Collectively, those weather parameters Finance/Administration Section The Section that influence fire occurrence and subsequent responsible for all administrative and financial fire behaviour(e.g. dry-bulb temperature, relative considerations surrounding an incident. humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, Fine Fuels Fuels that dry quickly, ignite readily, and are atmospheric stability, winds aloft). consumed rapidly by fire. Examples include: cured Fire Use See Prescribed burning. grass, fallen leaves, needles, and small twigs. Fire Types - Type 5 A fire undergoing initial attack; short Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) A numerical rating duration, seldom lasting into the next burning of the moisture content of litter and other cured period; few resources assigned (generally fewer fine fuels. This code indicates the relative easeof than 6 people); little complexity. See Incident - ignition and flammability of fine fuel. Type 5. Finger Burned areas projecting from the main body of the Fire Types - Type 4 Initial attack or first response to fire resulting in an irregular fire perimeter. See an incident; Incident Commander is a hands on Parts of a Fire. leader and performs all functions of Operations, Fire (1) Simultaneous release of heat, light, and Logistics, Planning, and Finance; few resources flame, generated by the combustion of flammable are used (several individuals or a single strike material. (2) In a wider sense, any outbreak of team); normally limited to one operational period; fire. does not require a written Incident Action Plan. Firebrand An airborne piece of flaming or smouldering See Incident - Type 4. material capable of acting as an ignition source. Fire Types - Type 3 Extended initial attack on wild-land Fireguard A strategically planned barrier, either manually fires; Incident Commander walks the line between or mechanically constructed, intended to stop or a manager and a ”doer”; resources may vary retard the rate of spread of a fire, and from which from several single resources to several task forces suppression action is carried out to control a fire. or strike teams; some Command/General Staff It is the constructed portion of a control line. positions (ie, Division Supervisor, Unit Leader) Fireline That portion of the fire upon which resources are may be filled; may extend into another operational deployed and are actively engaged in the incident. period (12 hours) and require an IAP. See Incident

10 - Type 3. are likely to start, spread, and do damage to Fire Types - Type 2 Incident Commander spends all time values-at-risk sufficient to warrant organized fire being a manager; most Command and General suppression; a period of the year set out and staff positions are filled; Large number of resources commonly referred to in fire prevention legislation. utilized; incident extends into multiple operational The fire season is usually further divided onthe periods; Base Camp(s) established; significant basis of the seasonal flammability of fuel types logistical support is required. See Incident - Type (e.g. spring, summer, and fall). 2. Fire Scouting Reconnaissance of a fire and its Fire Types - Type 1 All functions are filled, plus surroundings by any means to obtain fire leaders, branches etc. Multi-agency and national intelligence information. resources; Large number of personnel and Fire Scar An injury or wound on a tree caused or equipment are assigned to the incident. It is a accentuated by fire. large, complex incident. See Incident - Type 1.. Fire Run A term normally associated with the rapid Fire Triangle An instructional aid in which the sides of advance of a wildfire characterized by a marked an equilateral triangle represent the three factors increase in rate of spread and a corresponding necessary for combustion and flame production increase in head fire intensity with respect to that (i.e. oxygen, heat, and fuel). When any one of seen before and following the event. these factors is removed, flame production is not Fire Retardant A substance that physically or chemically possible or ceases. reduces the flammability of fuels. There are two Fire Suppression All activities concerned with controlling (2) types: short term retardant and long term and extinguishing a fire following its detection. retardant. Fire Storm A large continuous area of intense burning Fire Response Type A category indicating the response characterized by violent fire-induced convection to the fire, divided into one of three catagories resulting in gale-force indraft surface winds near including a three letter code: Full response (FUL), and beyond the fire perimeter, a towering Modified Response (MOD), and Monitored convection column, and the occurrence of large Response (MON). fire whirls. Fire Response - Monitored Response (MON) A Fire Size Class A classification of fire area, independent of wildfire that is observed and assessed to determine fire typing through the Incident Command System. the response option required to minimize social Type A (less than 0.1 ha); Type B (0.11 to 1.0 disruption and/or significant value and resource ha); Type C (1.1 to 10 ha); Type D (10.1 to 100 impacts while achieving beneficial ecological, ha); Type E (100.1 to 1,000 ha); Type F (1,000.1 economic or resource management objectives. See to 10,000 ha); Type G (10,000.1 to 100,000 ha); Fire Response type. Type H (over 100,000 ha). Fire Response - Modified Response (MOD) A Fire Situation Map A map used by fire management wildfire that is managed using a combination personnel to locate and plot wildfires, whether of suppression techniques, including direct and they are reported, burning, or out. indirect attack as well as monitoring to steer, Fire Simulator A training device that imposes simulated contain or otherwise manage fire activity within a fire and smoke and depictions of fire suppression pre-determined perimeter such that costs and/or measures on a projected landscape scene to damage are minimized and/or benefits from the instruct fire management personnel in different fire fire are maximized. See Fire Response type. situations and fire suppression techniques. Fire Response - Full Response (FUL) A wildfire Fire Shovel A type of shovel specifically designed for use which requires immediate, aggressive initial attack in constructing a fire line, having a tapered blade and/or sustained suppression action until the fire with both edges sharpened. Used for scraping, is declared out. See Fire Response type. digging, grubbing, throwing and cutting. 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, reports vary in form and detail from agency to residence time, etc. agency. Fire Season The period(s) of the year during which fires Fire Regime The kind of fire activity or pattern of fires

11 that generally characterize a given area. Some a wildland fire. important elements of the characteristic pattern Fire Interval The average number of years between the include fire cycle or fire interval, fire season, and occurrence of fires at a given point. the number, type, and intensity of fires. Fire Intensity The amount of heat or energy released per Fire Rake A long-handled combination rake and cutting unit length of fire front. Frontal fire intensity tool, the blade of which is made up of a single is a major determinant of certain fire effets and row of mowing-machine cutter teeth. Useful for difficulty of control. Numerically, it is equal to trenching, scraping, and cutting, particularly in the product of the net heat of combustion, the leaves, pine needles, and light duff. quantity of fuel consumed in the flaming front, Fire Progression Map A map maintained to show at given and the linear rate of spread. times the location of the fire perimeter and spot Fire Impacts The immediately evident effect of fire on fires, deployment of resources, and fire suppression the ecosystem in terms of physical, biological and activities (e.g. constructed fireguard). ecological alterations. Fire Prevention Activities directed at reducing fire Fire History The study and/or compilation of evidence occurrence; includes public education, law (e.g. historical documents, fire reports, fire scars, enforcement, personal contact, and reduction of tree growth rings, charcoal deposits) that records fire hazards and risks. the occurrence and effects of past wildfires foran Fire Perimeter The entire outer edge boundary of a fire. area. Fire Occurrence The number of fires started in a given Fire Hazard A general term to describe the potential area over a given period of time. fire behaviour, without regard to the state of Fire Management Planning The systematic, weather-influenced fuel moisture content, and/or technological, and administrative management resistance to fireguard construction for a given fuel process of determining the organization, facilities, type. This may be expressed in either the absolute resources, and procedures required to protect (e.g. cured grass is a fire hazard) or comparative people, property, and forest areas from fire and (e.g. clear-cut logging slash is a greater fire hazard to use fire to accomplish forest management and than a deciduous cover type) sense. Such an other land use objectives. assessment is based on physical fuel characteristics Fire Management Plan A statement of policy and (e.g. fuel arrangement, fuel load, condition of prescribed actions with respect to a specific area herbaceous vegetation, presence of ladder fuels). (may include maps, charts, and statistical data). Fire Front The strip of primarily flaming combustion along Fire Management Decision Support System A generic the fire perimeter; a particularly active fire edge. term for the various systems used by fire Fine fuels typically produce a narrow fire front, management agencies in Canada that employ whereas dry, heavy fuels produce a wider zone or computer software designed to facilitate the band of flames. storage, compilation, analysis and display of fire Fire Frequency The average number of fires that occur intelligence data and other related information on per unit time at a given point. the fire environment, fire suppression resources, Fire Equipment Cache A supply of fire fighting tools fire occurrences, values-at-risk, etc. in support and equipment in planned quantities or standard of planning and daily operational decision making units at a strategic point for exclusive use in fire with respect to wildfires and prescribed fires. suppression. Fire Management The activities concerned with the Fire Environment Triangle see fire triangle. protection of people, property, and forest areas Fire Environment The surrounding conditions, influences, from wildfire, and the use of prescribed burning, and modifying forces of topography, fuel, and fire for the attainment of forest management and weather that determine fire behaviour. other land use objectives, all conducted in a Fire Effects Value Appraisal Determination of the net manner that considers environmental, social, and gains or losses resulting directly or indirectly from economic criteria. forest fires, expressed in monetary or other terms, Fire Load The number and magnitude (i.e. fire size based on a systematic assessment of fire benefits class and head fire intensity) of all fires requiring and impacts. suppression action during a given period within a Fire Effects Physical, biological and ecological changes specified area. to resources and assets caused by fire, whether Fire Investigator (FINV) The person responsible for immediate or long-term. May be detrimental, determining the origin, cause and development of beneficial, or benign.

12 Fire Edge See fire perimeter. Fire Cause - Human - Recreation A wildfire caused Fire Ecology The study of the relationships between fire, by people or equipment engaged in a recreational the physical environment, and living organisms. activity (e.g. vacationing, fishing, picnicking, non- Fire Detection A system for, or the act of, discovering, commercial berry picking, hiking). locating, and reporting wildfires. Fire Cause - Human - Railroads A wildfire caused Fire Dependent Ecosystems An ecosystem can be by any machine, employee, agent, or contractor considered fire dependent if periodic fire is performing work associated with a railway essential for maintaining the character, diversity operation, or a passenger on a train. and vigour of the intrinsic plant and animal Fire Cause - Human - Other Industry / Government A communities. wildfire caused by industrial operations other than Fire Danger Rating The process of systematically forest industry or railroads. Includes municipal, evaluating and integrating the individual provincial, or federal works projects whether and combined factors influencing fire danger employees, agents, or contractors. represented in the form of fire danger indexes. Fire Cause - Human - Incendiary A wildfire wilfully Fire Danger Index A quantitative indicator of one of started for the purpose of mischief, grudge, or more facets of fire danger, expressed either ina illegitimate gain. relative sense or as an absolute measure; often Fire Cause - Human - Human Other A wildfire of known used as a guide in a variety of fire management human cause that cannot be properly classified activities (e.g. to judge day-to-day preparedness under any of the other standard human classes and suppression requirements, as a basis for listed. providing information on fire danger to the general Fire Cause - Human - Forest Industry A wildfire caused public in fire prevention, as an aid to prescribed by people or machines engaged in any activity burning). associated with forest product production. Fire Danger Class A segment of a fire danger index Fire Cause Categories based on the cause of wildfires scale identified by a descriptive term (e.g. Low, divided into: Natural (Lightning, Natural Other), Moderate, High, Extreme), and/or a colour code. Human (Forest Industry, Incendiary, Human The classification system may be based on one or Other, Other Industry/Government, Railroads, more fire danger indexes (e.g. the Buildup Index Recreation, Resident), and Undetermined. is sometimes used in addition to the Fire Weather Fire Cache Manager (FCMG) The person responsible Index). for the supervision of the supply of fire equipment Fire Danger A general term used to express an assessment assembled in planned quantities or at a strategic of both fixed and variable factors of the fire location. environment that determine the ease of ignition, Fire Bust Several forest fires usually ignited by lightning rate of spread, difficulty of control, and fire striking simultaneously in the same region. impact. Fire Benefits Any effect(s) of fire that are favourable Fire Cycle The number of years required to burn over an or beneficial in terms of the attainment of forest area equal to the entire area of interest. management and other land use objectives. Fire Climate The composite pattern or integration over Fire Behaviour Triangle An instructional aid in which the time of the fire weather elements that affect fire sides of an equilateral triangle represent the three occurrence and fire behaviour in a given area. interacting components of the fire environment Fire Cause - Natural - Natural Other A wildfire of known that are responsible for fire behaviour (i.e. fire natural cause other than lightning. weather, fuels, and topography). Fire Cause - Natural - Lightning A wildfire caused Fire Behaviour Analyst (FBAN) A specialist position directly or indirectly by lightning. under the planning function of a fire incident Fire Cause - Human - Undetermined A wildfire of management team, responsible for making undetermined cause, including a wildfire that is predictions of probable fire behaviour based on an currently under investigation, as well as one where analysis of the current and forecasted state of the the investigation has been completed. fire environment. 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 Axe A single bit fire line axe with a wooden or

13 fiberglass handle. The style of the axe headis Flanks Those portions of the fire perimeter that are commonly referred to as the ”Dayton” pattern. between the head and the back of the fire which Fire Analysis Review of fire management actions taken are roughly parallel to the main direction of spread. with respect to a specific fire, group of fires, orfire Right and left flanks are distinguished by looking season in order to identify reasons for effective and from rear to head. See Parts of a Fire. ineffective actions and to recommend or prescribe Flareup A sudden, localized increase in head fire intensity ways and means of doing a more efficient job. 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-retardant treatment - fabric The process or when gases are trapped in topographic pockets treatment whereby flame resistance characteristics or accumulate over a broad area when there is a are imparted onto a fabric or other component. temporary lull in air movement. Flame Resistance / flame resistant - fabric Flow Tank A type of tank using an onboard computer The property of a material whereby flaming to open and close a set of two doors to restrict combustion is slowed, terminated or prevented. the release of the tank contents to achieve a Note: Flame resistance can be an inherent desired coverage level on the ground. The tank property of the basic fibre material, or can be usually contains just one compartment. ‘Variable’ imparted by a specific treatment or additive. refers to the ability of the doors to fluctuate their Flame Length The length of flames measured along their aperture during the drop to account for varying axis at the fire front; the distance between the head pressures in that tank; ‘Constant flow’ flame height tip and the midpoint of the flame refers to that fluctuation producing a consistent depth at the ground surface. Flame length is an coverage level on the ground. approximate indicator of head fire intensity. Foam A product that relies primarily on the water it Flame Height The average maximum vertical extension contains for firefighting. These products contain of flames at the fire front; occasional flashes that foaming agents which create air bubbles when rise above the general level of flames are not aerated, and wetting agents which allow the fluid considered. that drains from the foam bubbles to be easily Flame Depth The width of the zone within which absorbed by fuel, soil and other materials that it continuous flaming occurs behind the edge ofa comes in contact with. fire front. Foam Solution A homogeneous mixture of water and foam Flame Angle The angle formed between the flame at the concentrate to which air is added to produce foam. fire front and the ground surface, expressed in Foam solution has no real bubble structure but degrees. some bubble formation may occur due to agitation Flaming Front The area of a moving fire where and impact. combustion is primarilyflaming. The flaming front Foam Generation The transformation of a foam solution normally consists of the fire frontand the flaming into foam by the addition of air to the solution. zone. Foam Concentrate The concentrated foaming agent as Flaming Combustion The production of flames as part received from the manufacturer, containing a of the combustion process. Luminous oxidation surfactant, corrosion inhibitor, and stabilizers. 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 Flammability The relative ease with which a substance protection and property. ignites and sustains combustion. Foam - Class B Foam designed for use on flammable liquid Flank Fire A fire spreading, or set to spread, at roughly fires. right angles to the prevailing wind direction. Foam - Class A Foam intended for use on woody

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

15 characteristics and secondly interpreting the fuel Ground Effect Reaction of a helicopter’s rotor downwash description in terms of potential fire behaviour against the ground surface forming a ground on the basis of past experience, comparative cushion that increases the lifting capability of that methods, and mathematical models. parcel of air. Function Refers to the five major activities in ICS: Group Established to divide the incident management Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and structure into functional areas of operation. 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 Burning The burning of surface fuels, An Intelligence/Investigations Chief may be most often grass, in low intensity fires in order to established, if required, to meet incident reduce fuel loading and potential fire intensity. management needs. Hazard Reduction Treatment of living or dead forest fuels Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) to diminish the likelihood of a fire starting, and to The person responsible for providing timely and lessen the potential rate of spread and resistance accurate spatial information to the Situation Unit to control. 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 Fire Intensity The rate of heat energy released at the fire season in which deciduous trees and/or the head of the fire. 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 Support Unit Leader (GSUL) The person Head End of Drop The most forward end of the air drop responsible for the fuelling, maintaining, and on the ground. repairing of vehicles, and the transportation of Heat Transfer The process by which heat is imparted from personnel and supplies. 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, Heat of Combustion The potential heat energy available and the transportation of personnel and supplies. for release by the combustion process. In frontal Ground Probe A specialized nozzle used to penetrate fire intensity calculations, the heat of combustion deep-seated combustible fuels to extinguish value used is subject to several possible reductions, ground fires. chiefly because of the presence of moisture in Ground Fuels All combustible materials below the litter the fuel. A quantity is generally specified for layer of the forest floor that normally supports a particular fuel on a per unit weight basis. smouldering or glowing combustion associated Recommended unit is kilojoules per kilogram with ground fires (e.g. duff, roots, buried punky (kJ/kg). wood, peat). Heavy Helicopter 15-plus passenger, seats up to 25,000 Ground Fire A fire that burns in the ground fuel layer. lbs. external load (e.g. Bell 214, Sikorsky 61

16 and 64, Vertol 107 and 234, Kamov 32). See 64, Vertol 107 and 234, Kamov 32). Helicopter Classification. Helipad The prepared surface or structure at a heliport Heavy Fuels Large diameter woody or deep organic where a helicopter actually lands. materials that are difficult to ignite and burn more Heliport A permanent landing area for helicopters, where slowly than fine or medium fuels. fuel, service, and supply are generally available. Heavy equipment operator (HEOP) The person Helispot Any designated location where a helicopter can responsible for the safe and efficient operation of safely take off and land. Some helispots may a single piece of heavy equipment on an incident. be used for loading of supplies, equipment, or Heavy Equipment Group Supervisor (HEGS) The personnel. person responsible for supervising and directing Helispot manager (HESM) The person responsible for operations of assigned heavy equipment, including managing all resources assigned to a helispot. heavy equipment strike teams/task forces or single Helitack Initial attack on wildfires involving the use resources. of helicopters and trained crews, deployed as a Heavy Equipment Branch Director (HEBD) The complete unit. person responsible to supervise and manage the Helitack Crew An initial attack crew specially trained in overall operations for all heavy equipment on an the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire incident. This person will prioritize the need and suppression. allocation of heavy equipment for the incident. 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 Sounding Determination of the vertical for a considerable amount of time after it starts temperature profile based on observations (particularly lightning-caused fires). of a helicopter’s free-air thermometer and Hook, Cargo Hook attached to the helicopter to allow corresponding altimeter readings. carrying of external loads. It is designed to include Helicopter engineer (HENG) The person responsible for both electrical and mechanical release functions. the maintenance of a helicopter. Hose-lay The arrangement of connected lengths of fire Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) The person responsible hose and accessories on the ground beginning at for coordinating tactical or logistical helicopter the first pumping unit and ending at the point(s) mission(s) at an incident. of water delivery. Helicopter (classification) Helicopters are divided into Hose Friction Loss Reduction in efficiency of a fire hose four catagories: Light: 1 to 4 passenger seats, (the amount of water pressure lost) due to the up to approximately 1,500 lbs. external load (e.g. resistance between the inside wall of the hose and Robinson R22, Bell 47 and 206B, Hiller 12E/T, the water flowing through the hose. The factors Hughes 500, etc.).Intermediate: 5 to 8 seats, up to affecting friction loss are the velocity of the water approximately 2,500 lbs. external load. (e.g. Bell through the hose, the roughness of the inner lining 206L, AS350, Bell 407, Bell 222, etc.). Medium: 5 of the hose, and the diameter of the hose. to 8 seats, up to approximately 2,500 lbs. external Hose Coupling Wrench A specialized tool for tightening load. (e.g. Bell 206L, AS350, Bell 407, Bell 222, or loosening external-lug threaded hose couplings etc.).Heavy: 15-plus passenger seats up to 25,000 and accessory connections. lbs. external load (e.g. Bell 214, Sikorsky 61 and Hose Clamp A crimping device for stopping the flow of

17 water in a hose. would be Agency Dispatch Centres, Airports, Hose - Forestry Conveys water under positive and Mobilization Centres, etc. sometimes negative pressure from the fire Incident Objectives Statements of guidance and direction pumping unit to the outlet, normally affixed with needed to select the appropriate strategies, and standardized couplings or connectors. Classified the tactical direction of resources. Incident as percolating or non-percolating hose. objectives are based on realistic expectations of Hot Spotting A method to check the spread and intensity what can be accomplished when all allocated of a fire at those points that exhibit the most rapid resources have been effectively deployed. Incident spread or that otherwise pose some special threat objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet to the control of the situation. This is in contrast flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical to systematically working all parts of the fire at alternatives. the same time, or progressively, in a step-by-step Incident Meteorologist (IMET) The person responsible manner. for on-site meteorological support to an incident. Hot Spot (1) A particularly active part of a fire; (2) A small Incident Management Team (IMT) The Incident area of smouldering or glowing combustion, which Commander and the appropriate Command and may be exhibiting smoke, located on or within the General Staff personnel assigned to an incident. fire perimeter; a term commonly used during the Incident Commander (IC) The individual responsible for mop-up stage of a fire; (3) A satellite detection of all incident activities, including the development of an area of active flaming combustion. strategies and tactics and the ordering and release Hover Exit The loading and unloading of personnel and of resources. The IC has overall authority and equipment from a helicopter that is under power, responsibility for conducting incident operations where the pilot must manipulate the flight controls and is responsible for the management of all to maintain a stable altitude. This could be incident operations at the incident site. free of, or in partial contact with, a grounded Incident Command System (ICS) A standardized on- surface. A helicopter in full skid contact with an scene emergency management system specifically unstable surface that requires the pilot to make designed to provide for the adoption of an flight control adjustments is also considered tobe integrated organizational structure that reflects in a hover. the complexity and demands of single or Ignition The beginning of flame production or smouldering multiple incidents, without being hindered by combustion; the starting of a fire. jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination Ignition Temperature The minimum temperature at of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, which ignition can take place and sustained and communications operating within a common combustion can occur. organizational structure, designed to aid in the Ignition Specialist (IGSP) The person responsible management of resources during incidents. It is for directing and supervising all aspects of an used for all kinds of emergencies and is applicable ignition team in the performance of tactical to small as well as large and complex incidents. ignition operational assignments on wildfires and ICS is used by various jurisdictions and functional prescribed burns. agencies, both public and private, to organize Impact Change in a given value. Impact is a function of field-level incident management operations. vulnerability, intensity, and exposure. Incident Command Post (ICP) The field location at Incident An occurrence or event, natural or manmade, which the primary tactical-level on-scene incident that requires a response to protect life or command functions are performed. The ICP may property. Incidents can, for example, include be co-located with the Incident Base or other major disasters, emergencies, terrorist attacks, incident facilities. terrorist threats, civil unrest, wildland and Incident Base The location at which primary Logistics urban fires, floods, hazardous materials spills, functions for an incident are coordinated and nuclear accidents, aircraft accidents, earthquakes, administered. There is only one Base per incident. hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms, tsunamis, (Incident name or other designator will be added war-related disasters, public health and medical to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post emergencies, and other occurrences requiring an may be co-located with the Incident Base. emergency response. Incident Action Plan (IAP) An oral or written plan Incident Support Organization Includes any off-incident containing general objectives reflecting the overall support provided to an incident. Examples strategy for managing an incident. It may include

18 the identification of operational resources and Staff responsible for interfacing with internal assignments. It may also include attachments that clients, the public and media, and/or with provide direction and important information for other agencies with incident related information management of the incident during one or more requirements. operational periods. Infrared Scanner An optical-electronic system for Incident - Type 5 An incident of little complexity and identifying thermal infrared radiation in the normally under control or out within the first flaming, smouldering, or glowing combustion operational period. Incident Commander is the phases. The system may be operated from an only position activated; a verbal Incident Action aircraft, or hand-held on the ground. Plan is required, no written IAP is needed. Infrared Operator (IROP) The person responsible for Incident - Type 4 Limited to one operational period in infrared scanning and mapping operations when the out of control stage; Incident Commander assigned. is activated and other operational positions Infrared Interpreter (IRIN) The person directing infrared activated as required; No written Incident Action mapping operations when assigned. Plan is required, but an operational briefing will Inherently flame-resistant - fabric As applied to textiles, be completed for all incoming resources. having flame resistance that derives from an Incident - Type 3 The incident normally extends into essential characteristic of the polymer or other multiple operational periods; the appropriate ICS material from which the fibre is made. positions should be added to match the complexity Initial Spread Index (ISI) A numerical rating related to of the incident; some of the Command/General the expected rate of fire spread. It combines the Staff positions (Division Supervisor, Unit Leader) effects of wind and Fine Fuel Moisture Code on may be filled; a written IAP may be required for the rate of spread but excludes the influence of each operational period. variable quantities of fuel. Incident - Type 2 Incident will extend into multiple Initial Response Resources initially committed to an operational periods; this type of incident may incident. exceed the capabilities of local fire management Initial Attack Resources Fire fighting resources funded resources. Most or all Command and General staff and organized specifically for the prime objective positions are filled. The Agency Administrator or of implementing initial attack on wildfires. official is responsible for the incident complexity Initial Attack Crew (IAC) Personnel trained, equipped, analysis, agency administrative briefings, and and deployed to conduct suppression action to halt agency delegation of authority; multiple agencies the spread or potential spread of a wildfire within may be involved. A written IAP is required for the first burning period. each operational period. Initial Attack Base Any place where initial attack Incident - Type 1 Most complex type of incident to capability has been positioned in readiness for safely and effectively manage and operate; all probable fire action. Resources must have air Command and General Staff and required support and/or ground transport capability on site. positions are activated. The incident complexity Initial Attack The action taken to halt the spread or analysis, agency administrative briefings, and potential spread of a fire by the first fire fighting agency delegation of authority must be completed force to arrive at the fire. and monitored and updated as required. Multiple Inspection Run A pass over the target by the birddog agencies will be involved and there may be aircraft or the airtanker to assess the bomb run, a declaration of emergency by the appropriate target area, and exit from the target. authority. A written IAP is required for each Intensity In the context of risk, a measure of the operational period. 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.

19 The IARR reports directly to the Sending LACES A safety system used by wildland firefighters Participants’ Coordinating Authority. to protect themselves from entrapment Intermediate Helicopter 5 to 8 seats, up to approximately in free-burning wildfires and other fireline 2,500 lbs. external load. (e.g. Bell 206L, AS350, hazards. Stands for Lookouts, Anchor points, Bell 407, Bell 222, etc.). Communications, Escape routes, and Safety Intermittent Smoke Smoke that becomes visible zones. occasionally. Ladder Fuels Fuels that provide vertical continuity Intermittent Crown Fire A moderate to high-intensity between the surface fuels and crown fuels in a crown fire with crown fraction burned greater than forest stand, thus contributing to the ease of 10 percent and less than 90 percent. torching and crowning (e.g. tall shrubs, small- Intervalometer An electronic device mounted in an sized trees, bark flakes, tree lichens). aircraft which actuates the compartment doors(s) Land based airtanker A fixed wing aircraft that operates singly, or multiple doors simultaneously or in from and must return to a designated airtanker sequence, to produce the desired coverage level base from which they are loaded with fire retardant and line length. or suppressant. Inversion The atmospheric condition in which the Landscape Fire Management Landscape fire temperature within a vertical layer of air increases management is the integration and with altitude, resulting in a very stable atmosphere implementation of fire management at multiple until the inversion lifts or breaks. This is contrary scales including the individual homeowner to the usual situation in which temperature scale, the community scale (wildland urban decreases with height. Temperature inversions at interface), and the landscape beyond the interface the earth’s surface are a common occurrence in scale. Landscape fire management assists fire the early morning hours during the fire season and managers and communities in finding cost- dampen fire behaviour. effective approaches to preventing unwanted fires, Island An area(s) of unburned fuels located within the fire as well as maintaining desirable fire regimes. perimeter. When fires do occur, landscape fire management Isobar A line of equal or constant atmospheric pressure provides the framework for: (1) evaluating displayed on a synoptic chart. whether the effects will be detrimental or benign; Isochrone Lines on a map showing fire progression at a (2) weighing relative benefits and risks of different constant time; the forecasted or mapped location scenarios; and (3) responding appropriately based of the fire front over time. on the objectives. Jettison To release the load at a predetermined location Lanyard A length of rope or cable used to attach a cargo to meet the landing weight for the airtanker, not net or sling to a helicopter cargo hook. used for emergency situations. Lap On An instruction to drop, overlapping the previous Jettison Area A designated zone where an airtanker can drop to the left or right; unless directed otherwise jettison a load or portion of a load before landing. coverage will be a 1/3 overlap. Jump Fire A fire started outside the edge of the main Late Advice that the drop is to be or was triggered beyond fire perimeter from a fire, or burning by sparksor a designated point. firebrands carried by wind, drafts, fire vortices or Leader The ICS title for an individual responsible for a gravity. Task Force, Strike Team, or Functional Unit. Jurisdiction A range or sphere of authority. Public Lead In A technique whereby the airtanker follows directly agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related behind the birddog to the target. 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.

20 Liaison Officer (LOFR) A member of the Command Staff Load - drop Term used describing the drop. responsible for coordinating with representatives Logistics Section Chief (LSC) This individual responsible from cooperating and assisting agencies. for supervising the Logistics Section. Reports to Life-Safety Refers to the joint consideration of both the the Incident Commander and is a member of the life and physical well being of individuals. General Staff. This position may have one or more Light Helicopter 1 to 4 passenger seats, up to deputies assigned. approximately 1,500 lbs. external load (e.g. Logistics Section The Section responsible for providing Robinson R22, Bell 47 and 206B, Hiller 12E/T, facilities, services, and material support for the Hughes 500, etc.). See Helicopter Classification. Incident. Lightning Locator System A network of sensors to Lone Wolf Refers to an airtanker conducting drops not detect the location and polarity of cloud-to-ground under the immediate supervision of a birddog. lightning flashes in real-time. Longline A cable, 50-ft. in length or greater, that may be Likelihood Probability of an event occurring. equipped with an electrical cable to activate the Line scout (LSCT) The person responsible to determine hook(s). the location of a fire line. Long Term Retardant Long term retardants contain Line Locator A person who selects and marks the location retardant salts, typically agricultural fertilizers, of a control line. that alter the way the fire burns, decreases the Line Astern Directing two or more airtankers (land fire intensity, and slows the advance of the fire, based or skimmer) to drop on a given even after the water they originally contained has target while occupying the same circuit altitude evaporated. simultaneously. The second and each subsequent Long - drop Assessment that the drop landed beyond a airtanker follows the line of flight flown by the lead designated point. aircraft. 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-level Jet Wind A particular type of wind aloft Litter The uppermost part of the forest floor consisting condition, evident in the vertical wind profile, in of freshly cast or slightly decomposed organic which there is a zone of increasing wind speed materials (i.e. the L layer). near the earth’s surface, and a zone of decreasing Loaded Patrol An aerial patrol where the aircraft is velocity above a point of maximum wind speed. carrying an initial attack crew or fire retardants Low Expansion Foam Foam having an expansion between on board while conducting aerial detection flights. 1:1 and 20:1. Loading Ramp Ramp used for boarding and disembarking Management by Objectives A management approach equipment on board aircraft. that involves a five-step process for achieving Loading Pad A cement pad at a retardant base on which the incident goal. The Management by aircraft stand when being loaded with slurry. Objectives approach includes the following: Loadmaster (LOAD) The person responsible for the safe establishing overarching incident objectives; loading and unloading of personnel and or cargo developing strategies based on overarching from aircraft. incident objectives; developing and issuing Load Width Width actually covered by a given drop on assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols; the ground. establishing specific, measurable tactics or tasks Load Sheet A document provided to the Pilot-In- for various incident-management functional Command prior to flight which lists all cargo, activities and directing efforts to attain them, in quantities and weights, this includes a passenger support of defined strategies; and documenting manifest with names, list of equipment and results to measure performance and facilitate supplies and identifies all dangerous goods on corrective action. board by their common name, proper Shipping Manager Individual(s) within the Incident Command name, UN number, class, quantity and weight as System organizational unit that are assigned not to exceed aircraft payload. specific managerial responsibilities (e.g. Staging

21 Area Manager or Camp Manager). meteorology to determine the maximum height Manning Action The daily or short-term adjustments in above the earth’s surface to which relatively the strength and positioning of fire suppression vigorous mixing due to convection takes place. resources required for the initial attack to meet Above this layer, a stable atmosphere exists which a predetermined level of preparedness based on acts to suppress vertical mixing. The mixing the likelihood of fire occurrence and probable fire height is dependent on the vertical temperature behaviour as determined by the forecasted fire profile. Recommended unit is metres (m). danger. This may involve increasing or decreasing Mixmaster (MXMS) The person in charge of fire the number and types of suppression crews and retardant mixing operations, with responsibility for equipment. the quantity and quality of the slurry, and for Marker Load - drop A drop strategically placed as a the loading of the aircraft in land-based airtanker reference point used for subsequent drops. operations. Masticated Fuels A mechanical process by which trees Mix Ratio The ratio of foam or retardant concentrate and shrubs are chipped to create irregularly shaped to water. Foam is expressed as a percentage. fuel particles that effectively relocates vertical Retardant is expressed as a ratio. 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 Leader (MEDL) The person responsible for province or territory. The treaties include certainty developing the Medical Plan, obtaining medical about ownership, use and management of land and aid and transportation for injured or ill incident resources, and may include provisions relating to personnel, and preparing reports and records. Aboriginal self-government. Medical Unit Functional unit within the Service Branch Mop-up Time The period from the achievement of control of the Logistics Section responsible for the until enough work has been done to ensure that development of the Medical Emergency Plan, and the fire can not rekindle. for providing emergency medical treatment to Mop-up The act of extinguishing a fire after it has been incident personnel. brought under control. Medium Helicopter 9 to 14 passenger seats, up to Mulch Masticated woody tree material, primarily stem approximately 6,000 lbs. external load. (e.g. wood, with additional bark, branch, and foliage Sikorsky S55T and 58T, Bell 204, 205, 212, K- content. Max, etc.). See Helicopter Classification. Multi-jurisdiction Incident An incident requiring action Medium Fuels Fuels too large to be ignited until after from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction the leading edge of the fire front passes, but small to manage certain aspects of an incident. In ICS, enough to be completely consumed. these incidents shall be managed under Unified Medium Expansion Foam Foam having an expansion Command. between 21:1 and 200:1. Multi-hook A system of multiple hooks allowing the Mineral Soil That portion of the soil stratum immediately transport of separate loads. 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 Mixing Height A term commonly used in air pollution equals to the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate.

22 New Target Indication that a new target and/or bomb run Para-cargo That portion of air cargo to be delivered by has been selected and that the target description para-drop. will follow. Parallel Pumping A procedure whereby the flow from two Non-Percolating Forestry Hose Forestry fire hose fire pumps is combined into one hose line. without wetting or soaking characteristics. Parallel Drop Same bearing but the aircraft position is Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) Temporary airspace a specified distance to the right or left ofthe restrictions for non-incident aircraft in the incident previous drop. area. NOTAM’s are established by Transport Parallel Attack A method whereby a fireguard is Canada to ensure aircraft safety. constructed as close to the fire as heat and flame Officer The ICS title for the personnel responsible for the permit, and burning out the fuel between the fire Command Staff positions of Safety, Liaison, or and the fireguard. 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 Section Chief (OSC) The individual Patrol Time The period from completion of mop-up until responsible for supervising the Operations Section, the fire is declared out. who reports to the Incident Commander and is a Percent Contained The percentage of a fire that has been member of the General Staff. This position may contained with the use of mechanical, hose line, have one or more deputies assigned. or natural barriers with possible values between 0 Operations Section The Section responsible for and 100. all tactical operations at the incident and Percolating Forestry Hose A self-protecting forestry fire implementation of the Incident Action Plan. This hose with wetting or soaking characteristics which section can include Branches, Divisions and/or allow the hose material to become saturated with Groups. the water when conveying water to help prevent it Operations Branch Director (OPBD) The person from burning. responsible for implementing the portion of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Any piece of IAP applicable to the assigned Branch.. 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 Section Chief (PSC) The person responsible wetlands. for supervising the Planning Section. Reports to Out of Service Resources Resources assigned to an the Incident Commander and is a member of the incident but unable to respond for mechanical, General Staff. This position may have one or more rest, or personnel reasons. deputies assigned. Overhead A collective term for all positions not including Planning Section The Section responsible for the crews. Overhead includes supervisory positions as collection, evaluation, and dissemination of well as single resources. information related to the incident, and for the Overlap - drop An instruction to cover or partially cover preparation and documentation of Incident Action a previous drop or reference point. Plan. This Section also maintains information on Overwintering Fire A fire that persists throughout the the current and forecasted situation, and on the winter months to the opening of a fire season. status of resources assigned to the incident. Para-drop Cargo, attached to a parachute, dropped from Planning Meeting A meeting held as needed before and an aircraft in flight. throughout the duration of an incident to select

23 specific strategies and tactics for incident control specific plans for delivering capabilities when operations and for service and support planning. needed for an incident. For larger incidents, the Planning Meeting is a Prescribed Fire Fires deliberately utilized in a major element in the development of the Incident predetermined area in accordance with a specified Action Plan. and approved burning prescription to achieve set Plastic Sphere Dispensor Operator (PLDO) The person objectives. responsible to utilize the Plastic Sphere Dispenser Prescribed Burning The deliberate, planned and for aerial ignition operations.. knowledgeable application of fire by authorized Point Of Origin The location(s) within the fire perimeter personnel and in accordance with policy and where ignition first occurred. guidelines to a specific land area to accomplish 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 Prescribe Fire specialist (PBSP) The person responsible which raises the walls as it is being filled to contain for creating burn plans for prescribed fire, to the contents. Framed tanks have a foldable solid ensure the best ecological results in the safest structure supporting the liner, which is attached procedure. 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 Leader (PROC) The person times, water supply sources, lakes suitable for responsible for administering all financial matters skimmer aircraft, and existing heliports. It also pertaining to vendor contracts, leases, and fiscal includes information on existing and/or proposed agreements. locations for control lines (including the types and Procurement Unit Functional unit within the number of fire suppression resources that may be Finance/Administration Section responsible for required, probable rates of fire guard construction, financial matters involving vendor contracts. 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 Project Fire Large area forest fire with high resistance to liquid (i.e. rain or drizzle) or solid (e.g. snow or suppression, requiring an elaborate strategy and hail), that fall from the atmosphere and reach the large numbers of personnel.. ground. The more common term rainfall also is Proportioner A device that adds a predetermined amount used in this total sense to include not only the of liquid foam or retardant concentrate to water amount of rain, but also the water equivalent of to form a solution. frozen precipitation. Precipitation is the preferred Pulaski A combination chopping and trenching tool, which general term. combines a single-bitted axe blade with a narrow Preheating Phase Unburned fuel is raised to its ignition adze-like trenching blade fitted to a straight temperature and gaseous vapours begin to evolve. handle. Useful for grubbing or trenching in duff Preparedness Actions that involve a combination of and matted roots. planning, resources, training, exercising, and Qualification A specified pre-arranged series of organizing to build, sustain, and improve requirements (knowledge, abilities, skills, and operational capabilities. Preparedness is the experience) that shall be acquired to be eligible to process of identifying the personnel, training, perform a specific position or role. and equipment needed for a wide range of Radiation Transmission of heat in the form of radiant potential incidents, and developing jurisdiction- energy, i.e. radially, in a straight line and in all

24 directions. supplies and equipment (other than primary Radio Operator (RADO) The person responsible for resources), and the service and repair of tools and passing accurate and timely information via equipment. incident radio communications. May also Recorders Individuals within ICS organizational units be required to document all communications who are responsible for recording information. and ensure regular check-ins by resources are Recorders may be found in Planning, Logistics, completed. or Finance/Administration Units. Radio Cache A supply of radios stored in a pre-determined Relative Humidity Recovery The increase in relative location for assignment to incidents. humidity during the overnight period to near- Rain Precipitation in the form of liquid water drops. saturation (100 percent) levels. The recovery of Recommended unit for measurement is millimetres relative humidity indicates an increase in fine fuel (mm). moisture content and decreased fire intensity. Rain Gauge The general name for instruments designed to Relative Humidity (RH) The ratio, expressed as a measure the amount of rain that has fallen. Both percentage, of the amount of water vapour or recording and non-recording types are commonly moisture in the air to the maximum amount of used at fire weather stations. moisture that the air would hold at the same dry- Rappel Crew An initial attack crew trained to descend bulb temperature and atmospheric pressure. RH from a specially equipped, hovering helicopter on can vary from 0 to 100 percent. 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 Spread (ROS) The speed at which a fire extends another. its horizontal dimensions, expressed in terms of Reload An instruction to the airtanker to proceed to a distance per unit of time. Generally thought of in designated airtanker base for more retardant and terms of a fire’s forward movement or head fire return to the same incident for another drop. The rate of spread, but also applicable to back fire and term when given to a skimmer airtanker refers flank fire rates of spread.. to refilling with more water at the predetermined Rate of Perimeter Growth The speed at which a fire water source. increases its perimeter, expressed in terms of Remote or Extended Hook Designed to attach to the distance per unit of time. Recommended units end of a line which can be remotely operated by are metres per minute (m/min) and kilometres per the helicopter pilot. hour (km/h). Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) A Rate of Area Growth The speed at which a fire increases weather station at which the services of an its size, expressed in terms of area per unit of time. observer are not required. A RAWS unit Recommended unit is hectares per hour (ha/h). measures selected weather elements automatically Rawinsonde Observation A method of determining wind and is equipped with telemetry apparatus for speed and direction, air temperature, relative transmitting the electronically recorded data via humidity, and atmospheric pressure at various radio, satellite, or by a land-line communication levels in the atmosphere in the vicinity of an system at predetermined times or on a user request observation station by tracking a transmitting, basis. 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 Fireguard Construction The relative responsible for receiving and distributing all difficulty of constructing fireguards as determined

25 by fuel type characteristics (e.g. forest floor likelihood of occurrence. depth), effects of topography on access (e.g. slope Risk Management Framework Set of components steepness), and mineral soil type. that provide the foundations and organizational Resistance to Control The relative ease of establishing arrangements for designing, implementing, and holding a fireguard and/or securing a control monitoring, reviewing and continually improving line as determined by the difficulty of control and risk management throughout the organization. resistance to fireguard construction. Roll Up - drop A load placed in front of a visible reference Resource Clerk (RESC) The person responsible for point, such as another retardant load, a structure, support to the Resource Unit. a water body, etc. The intent is to have the load Resources Personnel and major items of equipment, end as it reaches the given reference point. supplies, and facilities available or potentially Rotor Downwash The air turbulence occurring under and available for assignment to incident operations and around the main rotor system(s) of an operating for which status is maintained. Resources are rotary-wing aircraft. 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 Zone A location clear of fuels and of sufficient size incident or at an emergency operations center. to allow for safe shelter during the passage of the Resources Unit Leader (RESL) The person responsible fire front. for establishing all incident check-in activities; Safety Officer (SOF) A member of the command preparing and processing resource status staff who is responsible for monitoring response information; preparing and maintaining displays, operations and advising the Incident Commander charts, and lists that reflect the current status and on all matters related to the safety of operations, location of suppression resources, transportation, including the health and safety of personnel. and support vehicles; and maintaining a master Safety Margin The cushion of time in excess of the time check-in list of resources assigned to the incident. needed by firefighters to get to a safety zone before Resources Unit Functional unit within the Planning the fire gets to them. Section responsible for recording the status of Safety Attitude A person’s tendency to respond positively resources committed to the incident. This toward a safety goal, idea, plan, procedure, Unit also evaluates resources currently committed prevention, or situation. to the incident, the impact that additional Salvo - drop A technique whereby a specified number responding resources will have on the incident, and of doors in a compartmented tank are opened anticipated resource needs. simultaneously. Resources - Seasonal The base level, or seasonal Section The organizational level having responsibility complement level for each specified resource Kind for a major functional area of incident and Type. The numbers reported reflect the management (e.g. Operations, Planning, planned inventory levels. Logistics, Finance/Administration, and Resources - Exportable The number of resources the Intelligence/Investigations (if established). The agency controls that meet all the Interagency Section is organizationally situated between the Exchange Standards for the resource Kind and Branch and the Incident Command. Type. Sector On large incidents, a division can be further Resources - Available The number of exchangable geographically subdivided into sectors. Sectors resources currently available. This is expected can be managed by a Task Force Leader or Strike to change throughout the season due to internal Team Leader depending on the resources assigned. resource demand. 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

26 (IARR) or the Sending Participants’ Coordinating responsible for the collection, organization, and Authority and is the link between the field AREPS analysis of incident status information, and for and the IARR. analysis of the situation as it progresses. Service Branch Director (SVBD) The person responsible Situation Report (SITREP) Document that often for managing all service activities at the incident. contains confirmed or verified information The Service Branch Director supervises the regarding the specific details relating to an operations of the Communications, Medical, and incident. Food Unit Leaders. Skidder Unit (1) A self-contained unit consisting of water Service Branch A Branch within the Logistics Section tank, fire pump, and hose, specially designed to responsible for service activities at the incident. be carried on a logging skidder for use in fire Includes the Communications, Medical, and Food suppression. (2) A basket to hold fire fighting Units. tools and equipment specially designed to be Short - drop Assessment that the drop landed before a carried on a logging skidder. (3) The term usually 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-layer Garment Protective garment constructed being altered by forestry practices and other land from a single fabric (not including facing or use activities (e.g. timber harvesting, thinning and interfacing). A single layer garment is one pruning, road construction, seismic line clearing). that cannot be easily separated into its major Slash includes material such as logs, splinters or constituent components. Note: Fabric material chips, tree branches and tops, uprooted stumps, for a single layer garment is received in a finished and broken or uprooted trees and shrubs. state from the fabric supplier or finisher. Garments Slashburning The broadcast burning of slash resulting made from bonded fabrics, laminated fabrics, specifically from timber harvesting operations. coated fabrics, double cloth, and quilted fabrics, Slash Disposal The treatment of slash for hazard for example, are considered single layer garments. reduction, silvicultural, or other purposes. Single Resource An individual, a piece of equipment Sling A looped line of strap or rope attachable to a lanyard and its personnel complement, or a crew/team of to lift, lower, or carry cargo beneath a helicopter. individuals with an identified work supervisor that Slip-on Tank A self-contained unit consisting of a water can be used on an incident. tank, fire pump, and hose, designed for quick Single Door - drop A technique in which only one door loading on conventional trucks. in a compartmented tank is opened. Slope The upward or downward inclination of the earth’s Siren Yelp Siren from the Birddog aircraft signalling to the surface (i.e. the deviation in terrain from level ground personnel of an intended and/or imminent or flat ground). Most commonly expressed asa drop from an airtanker. percentage. Numerically, it is equal to the vertical Siren Wail Siren from the Birddog aircraft signalling to rise or fall in elevation divided by the horizontal the ground personnel that airtanker operations in distance and then multiplied by 100. the area have been completed. Slope Equivalent Wind Speed An approach used in the Situational Awareness The perception of envirinmental FBP System whereby the effect of slope on fire conditions with respect to time or space, spread with zero wind is given a value in units of the comprehension of their meaning, and the wind speed. projection of changing conditions over time or Slope Azimuth The uphill slope direction, 180 degrees space. Situational awareness comprises the first opposite the slope aspect. two phases of the observe-orient-decide-act cycle. Small Engine Mecanic (SMEC) The person responsible Situation Unit Leader (SITL) The person responsible for the repair and maintenance of small engines for collecting and organizing incident status powering fire fighting equipment, such as portable and information and evaluating, analyzing, and pumps, chainsaws etc. displaying that information. Smoke The visible products of combustion rising above a Situation Unit Functional unit within the Planning Section fire.

27 Smokejumper (SMKJ) A firefighter who travels to along the fire perimeter or along a fireguard or wildland fires by fixed wing aircraft and parachute. in value protection. Quantified by the number of Smoke Sensitive Area An area in which smoke from sprinkler heads per kit. outside sources is intolerable, owing to heavy Squall Line A narrow, organized band of active population, transportation services, existing air thunderstorms, often preceding a cold front. pollution, and/or intensive recreation/tourist use. Stable Atmosphere Condition of the atmosphere in which Smoke Management Scheduling and conducting a the temperature decrease with increasing altitude prescribed burning program under predetermined is less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. In this burning prescriptions and firing techniques that condition, the atmosphere tends to suppress large- will minimize the adverse impacts of the resulting scale vertical motion. Also known as stable air. smoke production in smoke sensitive areas. Stack - aircraft Vertically established holding pattern over Smoke Haze Haze caused by smoke. a fire for aircraft. Spacing will be at 500ft Smoke Column Smoke and other gases that form a intervals. column -shaped mass above a fire, characterized Stage of Control: This catagory indicates the current by sharply defined, billowed edges. stage of control of the fire, each with a two letter Smouldering A fire burning without flame with low rates code. Out of Control (OC), Being Held (BH), of spread. Under Control (UC) and Out (EX). Snag A tree that is hung up on another tree or object. Stage of Control - Under Control (UC): Describes Span Refers to a distance equal to the wingspan of the a wildfire having received sufficient suppression airtanker being used. action to ensure no further spread of the fire: with Span of Control The number of resources for which a the two letter code (UC). 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 - Out (EX): Describes a fire having potential fire behaviour based on the interpolation been extinguished; with the two letter code (EX). of weather observations and fuels maps. Stage of Control - Being Held (BH): Describes a Spotter In rappelling and smoke jumping operations, the wildfire that with currently committed resources, individual responsible for selecting drop target and sufficient suppression action has been taken that supervising all aspects of dropping smoke jumpers the fire is not likely to spread beyond existent or rappel crews. or predetermined boundaries under prevailing and Spotting A fire producing firebrands carried by the surface forecasted conditions; with the two letter code wind, a fire whirl, and/or convection column that (BH). fall beyond the main fire perimeter and result in Staging Area Manager (STAM) The person responsible spot fires. for managing all activities within a Staging Area. Spot Weather Forecast A special forecast issued to fit Staging Area Established for the temporary location the time, topography, and weather of a specific of available resources. A Staging Area can be incident. These forecasts are issued upon request any location in which personnel, supplies, and of the user agency and are more detailed, timely, equipment can be temporarily housed or parked and specific than zone forecasts. Usually, on- while awaiting operational assignment. site weather observations or a close, representative Stakeholder A person, group, organization, or government observation is required for a forecast to be issued. with an interest or concern in a particular measure, Spot Fire A fire ignited by firebrands that are carried proposal, or event. outside the main fire perimeter by air currents, Standby A state of readiness to take immediate action gravity, and/or fire whirls. See Parts of afire. upon detection of a fire. Synonym Jump Fire. Stand Structure The horizontal and vertical distribution Spread Azimuth The direction in which the fire is of components of a forest stand including spreading, determined by combining the wind and the crown layers and stems of trees, shrubs, slope azimuths. herbaceous understory, snags, and downed woody Sprinkler Kit A collection of water thieves, supply hose, debris. and water sprinkler heads used to wet the fuels Stand Conversion The process of actively removing

28 conifer trees in a mixed wood stand to for ordering personnel, equipment, and supplies; simultaneously reduce the total stem density and receiving and storing all supplies for the incident; proportion of conifer trees relative to deciduous maintaining an inventory of supplies; and servicing trees. nonexpendable supplies and equipment. Stand Composition The proportion of each tree species Supply Unit Clerk (SPEC) The person responsible for in a stand expressed as a percentage of the total; support to the Supply Unit. in the fire management sense, as a percentage of Supply Unit Functional unit within the Support Branch the crown biomass. of the Logistics Section responsible for ordering Start Stop - drop A drop technique for constant flow equipment and supplies required for incident tanks where a required start point and stop point operations. are indicated. Support Branch Director (SUBD) The person Static Suction Lift In hydraulics, the term used for the responsible for developing and implementing vertical distance between the surface of the water logistics plans in support of the IAP. The Support supply and the suction inlet of a fire pump; may Branch Director supervises the operations of the be positive or negative. Positive suction lift occurs Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units. when the water supply level is higher than that of Support Branch A Branch within the Logistics Section the suction inlet (the water is aiding the pump). responsible for providing personnel, equipment, If the fire pump is above the water supply it must and supplies to support incident operations. lift the water, creating a negative suction lift (the Includes the Supply, Facilities, and Ground most common situation). 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 Fuels All combustible materials lying above the heading. Amount to step right or left is usually duff layer between the ground and ladder fuels that referenced to load width(s). are responsible for propagating surface fires (e.g. Strategy The general plan or direction selected to litter, herbaceous vegetation, low and medium accomplish incident objectives. shrubs, tree seedlings, stumps, downed/dead Strike Team Leader (STLD) The individual responsible roundwood). for supervising a strike team. Reports to a Surface Fire A fire that burns in the surface fuel layer, Division/Group Supervisor or Operations Section excluding the crowns of the trees, as either ahead Chief. fire, flank fire, or backfire. Strike Team A set number of resources of the same Surfactant A surface active agent or wetting agent. kind and type that have an established minimum A formulation which, when added to water in number of personnel, common communications, proper amounts, will materially reduce the surface and a leader. 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 Crew Personnel trained, equipped, succession at defined intervals to give an extended and deployed to conduct suppression action on a pattern on the ground. wildfire for an extended period of time. Structure Protection Unit See Values Protection Unit. Sustained Action The actions takens by the resources to Subsidence A meteorological term referring to the contain and completely extinguish the fire. 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 Leader (SPUL) The person responsible atmosphere, at a particular time.

29 Tactical Withdrawl A planned departure from the fireline 15, and 53 days in average weather, respectively. using pre-established escape routes and safety Time Unit Leader (TIME) The person responsible zones. Departure is based on pre-established for recording personnel time and managing the trigger points (e.g., time of day, observed weather commissary operation. or fire behaviour); or observations made on the Time Unit Functional unit within the Finance/Administration fireline leading to a well-communicated, orderly Section responsible for recording time for incident departure. personnel and hired equipment. Tactics The set of specific, measurable actions or tasks for Torching The ignition of a single tree or small group of various incident management functional activities trees from the bottom up. that support the defined strategies. Traditional Lands As land ownership systems evolved Tag On And Extend To drop retardant in such a way over time and with the introduction of protected that the load slightly overlaps and then lengthens area policies and large infrastructure development, a previous drop. A 25 percent overlap for Indigenous peoples have found themselves conventional drops or 30 to 40 feet (for constant increasingly marginalized, exploited, and displaced flow tanks) is desired. from traditional land and sources of food. Tag On Connecting the tail end of a drop to a given point. Traditional Knowledge The knowledge, innovations, and Tail End - drop The aft end of a drop on the ground. practices of Indigenous and local communities. Tanker Used as a short form for airtanker. Developed from experience gained over the Target Now A voice signal from the birddog on a lead-in centuries and adapted to the local culture and or show me to indicate the target location. environment, traditional knowledge is transmitted Target Elevation The desired and safe elevation orally from generation to generation. (determined during the inspection run) that the Trainee An individual who has acquired a pre-arranged airtanker is expected to fly over the target. series of competencies (knowledge, abilities, and Target Altitude The desired and safe altitude (determined skills) but requires additional experience in a during the inspection run) that the airtanker is specific role. The Trainee requires direct expected to fly over the target. supervision by a person who is certified in the role Task Force Leader (TFLD) The individual responsible or position and meets the Interagency Exchange for supervising a task force. Reports to a Standard for that role or position, to which the Division/Group Supervisor or Operations Section Trainee is assigned to for the duration of the Chief. assignment. Task Force Any combination of resources assembled Training The learning process involving the acquisition of for a particular tactical need, with common knowledge, skills and competencies. communications and a Leader. 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 Command (UC) An application used when Timelag The drying time required for dead fuels to lose more than one agency has incident jurisdiction two-thirds of the difference between their initial or when incidents cross political jurisdictions. moisture content and their equilibrium moisture Agencies work together through the designated content. The fuels represented by the Fine Fuel members of the Unified Command (UC), often the Moisture Code, Duff Moisture Code, and Drought senior persons from the agencies and/or disciplines Code in the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index participating in the UC, to establish a common set System have timelag values of 2/3 (or 16 hours), of objectives and strategies and a single Incident

30 Action Plan. birddog identifies targets by verbally describing the Unified Area Command (UAC) Command established bomb run and target position. when incidents under an Area Command are multi- Vertical Wind Profile A plot of winds aloft against jurisdictional. height above the earth’s surface; most commonly Unit The organizational element with functional determined by a rawinsonde observation. responsibility for a specific incident Planning, Vertical Temperature Profile A plot of actual air Logistics, or Finance/Administration activity. temperature against height above the earth’s Unit Leader The individual in charge of managing Units surface; most commonly determined by a within an Incident Command System functional rawinsonde observation. section. The Unit can be staffed by a number VHF Very High Frequency radio. The standard aircraft of support personnel providing a wide range of radio that all civil aircraft use to communicate services. with ground radio stations and other aircraft. Unity of Command Principle of management stating that VHF-FM Very High Frequency Frequency Modulation each individual involved in incident operations will radio. Commonly used for dispatch, land-based be assigned to only one supervisor.. mobile, and airborne communications. Generally Unstable Atmosphere The temperature decrease with 46 to 175 Mhz. altitude is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse VHF-AM Very High Frequency Amplitude Modulation. rate. Aircraft radio operates in the 118 MHz to 130 Uphill Run - drop A bomb run that requires the airtanker MHz range. 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 Trough A meteorological term referring to an surface as precipitation. elongated area of relatively low atmospheric Viscosity The relative ability of a fluid to resist flow. pressure in the upper atmosphere; often associated Visibility Trim Retroreflective, fluorescent, or combination with cool and showery weather conditions at the retroreflective and fluorescent material attached earth’s surface. The opposite of an upper trough permanently to the outer material for visibility is an upper ridge. 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 Ridge A meteorological term referring to an the wake of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft elongated area of relatively high atmospheric that are in flight. Under certain atmospheric pressure in the upper atmosphere; usually conditions, this turbulent air can be projected associated with warm and dry weather conditions to the ground and in turn adversely affect fire at the earth’s surface. The opposite of an upper behaviour. A small fire or segment of a fire ridge is an upper trough. perimeter can unexpectedly flare up, particularly if Values-at-Risk The specific or collective set of the wind speed is light and an unstable atmosphere natural resources and man-made improvements/ exists. developments that have measurable or intrinsic Vulnerability How easily damaged a particular value is in worth and that could of may be destroyed or a fire of a given intensity. otherwise altered by fire in any given area. Water Thief A type of bleeder valve designed for Values Protection Unit Combination of power pumps, installation at convenient points in hose lines to hose, sprinkler heads and other accessories permit drawing off water for filling back-pack deployed together in value protection. May pumps or other use without interfering with pump include personnel required to maintain the unit. or nozzle operation. Ventilation Index The ventilation index is a numerical Water Tender A vehicle used to transport water for a value relating to the potential of the atmosphere fireline to fill portable relay tanks and thereby to disperse airborne pollutants from a stationary provide a continual supply of water. source (e.g. smoke from a prescribed fire). Water Enhancer A product that relies primarily on the Five ventilation classes, from poor to excellent water it contains for firefighting. These products dispersion, are defined for use in operational contain polymers or other thickeners to improve forecasting. performance by: a) aiding in adherence to fuels, b) Verbal Description - drop A technique whereby the allowing build-up of a thick, protective wet layer,

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

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