wildfire terms and definitions


Definitions are scale-dependent: (1) They can be used to trace a fire's origin; (2) They are influenced by severity and intensity within a stand; (3) They describe the landscape mosaic. 3. Scope of the Glossary: This glossary provides the wildland fire and incident management communities a … In California, once a pollution episode reaches the emergency level, physical exertion in public spaces and all local driving–except in the case of an emergency–are prohibited. Fire growth - The increase in fire size (acres or hectares). Rapid oxidation of fuel that normally results in heat and flames. The Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology provides an extensive listing of terms and definitions used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) community. Wildfire definitions: Fire-related terms explained. ‘Could be part of a root or a knot in the trunk. Used to describe the composition of materials that could feed a wildfire. The swamper carries fuel, oil and tools and watches for dangerous situations. The fire department then puts these measurement into an algorithm that produces a number to reflect the risk. Here are explanations and definitions of some of the most common fire-related terms. Required fields are marked with an asterisk. Burning index: An estimate of the potential difficulty of fire containment as it relates to the flame length at the most rapidly spreading portion of a fire’s perimeter. We do have a lot of jargon in fire! Definitions are largely derived from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Food policy experts weigh in on the possibilities of individual diet choices and sustainable production methods. Sustaining, growing and adapting strategies, partnerships, and capacity through time are key. I expect that many of our readers already speak fire-ease quite well; if that’s you, consider sharing this post with your local community or a new practitioner! In practice, “defensible space” is defined as an area a minimum of 30 feet around a structure that is cleared of flammable brush or vegetation. For a full list of wildland fire terms and definitions visit Fire Term Glossary. THERESA WALDROP, CNN. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group also has a comprehensive glossary, if you’re looking for another source. Wildland Fire Terms, VLAT, NWCG, etc. In the realm of wildfire, a “red flag warning” refers to weather patterns that increase the risk of wildfire. It may be partitioned into particular components such as crown-fire hazard. Wildland-urban interface: The line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. Wildfire definition, a highly flammable composition, as Greek fire, difficult to extinguish when ignited, formerly used in warfare. These terms and definitions were selected from one of the many wildfire glossaries out there. October 29, 2019 12:25 AM. Drip torch: A hand-held device for igniting fires by dripping flaming liquid fuel on the materials to be burned; consists of a fuel fount, burner arm and igniter. The terms forest fire, brush fire, etc., may be used to describe specific types of wildfires; their usage varies according to the characteristics of the fire and the region in which it occurs. B Pack test: A test used to determine the aerobic capacity of fire suppression and support personnel and to assign physical fitness scores. Red flag warning: A term used by fire weather forecasters to alert forecast users to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. I can’t wait to get my red card and work on my faller quals!”, “The fire behavior forecast suggests that it’ll be weeks until we contain the fire, but thanks to the eastern fire break and the lack of aerial fuels, we’re in relatively good shape.”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For a complete list of terms used in wildland fire, see Glossary of wildland fire terms. Red-flag warning: This is a warning the National Weather Service issues when conditions … Wildfire or wildland fire: Fire in forests, grasslands, prairies, or other natural areas, not involving structure fires (although wildland fires may threaten structures or vice versa - see interface zone.) Allison Jolley, Topic: National Park Service/USDA Forest Service wildfire terminology glossary, National Wildfire Coordinating Group also has a comprehensive glossary, run down of the different types of incidents, Redefining Environmentalism: A Day in the Life with Hilary Lundgren | Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, Your Wildfire Terminology Dictionary: ABC's of the Wildfire World | Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network. Firefighters also refer to these small fires as "cat eyes" because of the way their light jumps out in small spots from hillsides at night. Please contact us. Common Wildfire Terminology Aerial fuels: All live and dead vegetation in the forest canopy or above surface fuels, including tree branches, twigs, cones, snags, moss and high brush. Have you ever seen a group of people walking around a track with what looked like 45 pounds? One hundred sixty-five is considered an extremely high risk; on Thursday night, in the area around the Thomas Fire, the number was at a record high of 296. Communications / Outreach [Cal Gov Code § 51177]. (2) A worker on a dozer crew who pulls winch line, helps maintain equipment, etc., to speed suppression work on a fire. It is commonly determined by fire behavior characteristics such as rate-of-spread, intensity, torching, crowning, spotting, and fire persistence, and by resistance-to-control. Wildfire, also called wildland fire, uncontrolled fire in a forest, grassland, brushland, or land sown to crops. These terms and definitions were selected from one of the many wildfire … Credit: ashleigh290 shared via Flickr Creative Commons. For a complete list of terms used in wildland fire, see Glossary of wildland fire terms. Subjectively expressed in terms of fuel consumption, e.g., total, partial, etc. Glossary of Wildland Fire Terms A Aerial Ignition: Ignition of fuels by dropping incendiary devices or materials from aircraft. With several wildfires raging in California, there's no shortage of headlines and TV footage of the disaster that's unfolding. Per our policy comments are manually approved by a website administrator and may take some time to appear. What wildfire terms are commonly misunderstood? Used most frequently in relation to the air standards as determined by any given region–for example, air standards in China are different from those in Canada or the United States–regarding the maximum acceptable pollutant concentrations. Wildfire or Wildland fire: Fire in forests, grasslands, prairies, or other natural areas, not involving structure fires (although wildland fires may threaten structures or vice versa - see interface zone.) California desert town takes back the night, wins rare "Dark Sky" award. Fire behavior forecast: A prediction of probable fire behavior, usually prepared by a fire behavior officer, in support of fire suppression or prescribed burning operations. Type 5, Type 2, Type 1 … the types of wildfire incidents are a whole other can of worms. This document contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG members and users. density altitude is defined on page 7 and is related to downloading, defined on page 8). A weather condition in Southern California that brings strong, hot, dust-bearing winds to the coast from inland desert regions. Lees „Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology: Complete Guide to Terms and Definitions Used by Wildfire Management including Acronyms“ door Progressive Management verkrijgbaar bij Rakuten Kobo. The Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology provides a comprehensive listing of terms and definitions used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) community. Swamper: (1) A worker who assists fallers and/or sawyers by clearing away brush, limbs and small trees. active crown fireactive crown fire: A crown fire in which the entire fuel complex becomes Any source of heat capable of igniting wildland fuels, such as brush or trees. Check out this run down of the different types of incidents. fire hazard (potential)fire hazard (potential): The difficulty of controlling potential wildfire. A luminosity that appears over swamps or marshes at night; ignis fatuus. Version 5 – Wildfire Glossary of Terms and Definitions: Building Assessment, Cleaning, Restorationand Clearance This document contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and fire use and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG members and users. Firebrands can be transported by wind, convection currents, or gravity into previously unburned fuels, thus spreading the fire. Below is a glossary of some of the most commonly used words in the coverage of the Thomas, Creek, and other wildfires. Your email address will not be published when you comment. The Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology provides a comprehensive listing of terms and definitions used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) community. Credit: Frank Riley, Chestatee/ Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development Council. In extreme cases, such as the Thomas Fire, these lines are dug using heavy machinery such as bulldozers. © Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network 2013 - 2021. Wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, threatening homes and buildings throughout the region. Wildfire definition: A wildfire is a fire that starts , usually by itself, in a wild area such as a forest ,... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples This document contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and fire use and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG members and users. Glossary of Wildland Fire Terms. 5. A fireline starves a wildfire of its fuel, and is made by cutting, scraping, or digging out the organic material would that feed the flames. Combustion happens in four phases: preignition, flaming, smoldering, and glowing. Glossary of Related Terms EXTRACTED FROM - E/L/G 0300 INTERMEDIATE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM FOR EXPANDING INCIDENTS, ... fire, or public works department. In wildland fires burn patterns are influenced by topography, wind direction, length of exposure, and type of fuel. Service Service is the https://wildfireconcepts.com website operated by Wildfire Concepts Pty Ltd. Glossary of Wildland Fire Terms The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) compiled this glossary to provide the wildland fire and fire use communities a single resource for wildland fire, prescribed fire, fire use and incident management terminology commonly used … If you're following coverage of wildfires, or trying to stay safe, here are some helpful definitions to know. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) compiled this glossary to provide the wildland fire and fire use communities a single resource for wildland fire, prescribed fire, fire use and incident management terminology commonly used by … Browse the list of 75 Wildfire abbreviations with their meanings and definitions. Good for lighting camp fires on a rainy day, too! "Wildfire" means an unplanned, unwanted wildland fire, including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fires where the objective is to extinguish the fire. This glossary of wildfire terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to wildfires and wildland firefighting.Except where noted, terms have largely been sourced from a 1998 Fireline Handbook transcribed for a Conflict 21 counter-terrorism studies website by the Air National Guard.. For related terminology, see Glossary of firefighting terms and Glossary of firefighting equipment. Terms and Definitions. Wildfire, also called wildland fire, uncontrolled fire in a forest, grassland, brushland, or land sown to crops. Aspect: Direction toward which a slope faces. wildfire definition: 1. a fire that is burning strongly and out of control on an area of grass or bushes in the…. Want to republish this story? Wildfire definitions: The fire-related terms you've always wondered about, explained. This glossary of wildfire terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to wildfires and wildland firefighting.Except where noted, terms have largely been sourced from a 1998 Fireline Handbook transcribed for a Conflict 21 counter-terrorism studies website by the Air National Guard. Red-flag warning : This is a warning the National Weather Service issues when conditions are perfect for wildfires to start and to spread, for example, during hot, dry, windy weather. If circumstances worsen, an alert can be raised to a "warning" and then, potentially, to an "emergency." The International Astronomical Union has established a committee to finalize a list of official star names. When reading or listening to coverage of these disasters, you may encounter a number of terms that you're not familiar with—terms such as firebrands, spot fires, or containment. A wildfire, bushfire, wildland fire or rural fire is an unplanned, unwanted, uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation starting in rural areas and urban areas. Let’s have some fun — share a local fire term from your experience! According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, B.I. Definitions. Objectively expressed as BTU/square meter. Learn more. Red flags mean different things in different places. Editor’s note: The definitions provided above are not necessarily the best definitions to use when conducting public outreach. Subscribe today. Provide your thoughts in the comment section below! In some cases, the AHJ may provide support to multiple disciplines that collaborate as a part of a team (e.g., an IMT). Scope of the Glossary: This glossary provides the wildland fire and incident management communities a … This institution is an equal opportunity provider. B. Blow-up - A sudden and unexpected major increase in rate of spread and frontal fire intensity; sufficient to upset overall fire suppression action or plans.Blow-ups can result from small or large fire situations. Firefighters work to prevent these spot fires, which indicate the spread of the fire beyond a contained or confined area. is determined by three factors: moisture readings in dead vegetation, a "fire weather forecast," and historical data. JUST WATCHED Definitions of Glossary_of_wildfire_terms, synonyms, antonyms, derivatives of Glossary_of_wildfire_terms, analogical dictionary of Glossary_of_wildfire_terms (English) fire (wīld′fīr′) n. 1. Personnel protective equipment (PPE): The proper equipment and clothing needed to mitigate the risk of injury from, or exposure to, hazardous conditions encountered while working. They report directly to the incident commander and may have assistants. A strategy employed in response to a fire where the perimeter of the blaze is managed by a combination of direct and indirect actions, as well as by the use of landscape features, fuel, and wind. This break may include natural barriers or manually and/or mechanically constructed line. Light a piece with a match, carry it in your hand and touch it to the ground like a drip torch. Wildfire Terminology You Might Encounter Aerial fuels: All live and dead vegetation in the forest canopy or above surface fuels, including tree branches, twigs, cones, snags, moss and high brush. ‘Wildfire has destroyed forests across the West.’ ‘The issues of ecosystem management, forest health, and wildfire dominated the work of the Center in its first few years.’ ‘Reforestation is an essential step toward restoring forest areas damaged by wildfire.’ fire boss is entered on page 11 but is defined under the collective term fire overhead on page 13). By the ocean, they typically refer to dangerous surf/swimming conditions. Thanks to defensible space (minus the firewood on the deck), this home withstood recent wildfires. [1] For those working with wildfire, PPE includes, but is not limited to, 8-inch high-laced leather boots with lug soles, fire shelter, hard hat with chin strap, goggles, ear plugs, aramid shirts and trousers, leather gloves and individual first aid kits. The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by a cooperative agreement between The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. Lightning occurring without audible thunder. Wildfire; Request a Term; Wildfire: Any free burning uncontainable wildland fire not prescribed for the area which consumes the natural fuels and spreads in response to its environment. Red Flag Warning. Refers to the amount of pollution in the composition of the air. C. Campfire - An open fire that meets both of the following requirements (as defined in the Wildfire Regulation (s.1): Ian Hurley is an associate editor at Pacific Standard, where he oversees audience and engagement strategy and manages the magazine's social media extensions and editorial partnerships. Wildfire, Type: You can also drag it along with a rake. Warns populations of a high measured concentration of pollutants. wildfire meaning: 1. a fire that is burning strongly and out of control on an area of grass or bushes in the…. 4. Updated 2334 GMT (0734 HKT) October 28, 2019 . They were probably taking the "pack test" to work on wildland or prescribed fires. Below is a glossary of some of the most commonly used words in the coverage of the Thomas, Creek, and other wildfires. Here are explanations and definitions of some of the most common fire-related terms. Glossary of wildfire terms. Here are explanations and definitions of some of the most common fire-related terms. Caused by a difference in high pressure in the West's Great Basin and lower pressure on the coasts, which drives intense winds toward the sea. The material that results from an incomplete burn of organic material, most commonly wood. Parentheses indicate the source of the definitions given in the referencthe source of the definitions given in the reference section.e section.e section. Learn more. No matter how hard fire managers and communicators try, we’re bound to use a word or two that the general public doesn’t understand when it comes to wildfire. 2011 Version 6: Wildfire Glossary of Environmental, Insurance and Restoration Terms By Patrick J. Moffett, REA, CHMM Contain a fire: A fuel break around the fire has been completed. [1901, 2016] 1917 (2019) 1901 (2016), Red card: A fire qualification card issued to fire-rated persons showing their training needs and their qualifications to fill specified fire suppression and support positions in a large fire suppression or incident organization. Signifies that a control line has been completed around a fire and any associated spot fires. When reading or listening to coverage of these disasters, you may encounter a number of terms that you're not familiar with—terms such as firebrands, spot fires, or containment. How weather forecasters alert populations to an ongoing or imminent weather pattern that may cause critical fires. Fuel used is generally a mixture of diesel and gasoline. Against this background, the online Glossary of Wildlife Management Terms and Definitions was initiated by the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW) and compiled by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) together with the CPW members in order to raise awareness of the diverse usage and meanings of technical terms related to wildlife … 2. Backpack Pump: A portable sprayer with hand-pump, fed from a liquid-filled container fitted with straps, used mainly in fire and pest control. I also love learning terms from local fire cultures. Backfire: A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire and/or change the direction of force of the fire's convection column. Here’s one I learned in Florida: Lighter knot – a piece of dense, resin-filled wood from an old pine tree. Report an issue with this definition: source: NOAA National Weather Service Glossary. "Note" indicates related or opposite terms (e.g. What’s the one term that everyone should understand? With wildfire season underway, here’s a quick refresher on commonly used wildfire terms; using definitions from the National Park Service/USDA Forest Service wildfire terminology glossary: Already fluent? See more. Se calcula que 524,000 niños trabajan inimaginables largas horas en los agotadores campos agrícolas de Estados Unidos, y todo es perfectamente legal. But the voices of certain communities are often left behind. Personal Data Personal Data means data about a living individual who can be identified from those data (or from those and other information either in … A fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by a firebrand. The U.S. has a rough track record with how it treats new parents, but there are reasons to believe that this could soon be a thing of the past. "Note" sometimes refers the user to a grouping of terms where several main terms are defined (e.g. The terms forest fire, brush fire, etc., may be used to describe specific types of wildfires; their usage varies according to the characteristics of the fire and the region in which it occurs. Defensible space: An area, either naturally or human-made, where material capable of causing a fire to spread has been treated, cleared, reduced or changed to act as a barrier between an advancing wildland fire and the loss of life, property or resources. These intense winds are part of what's causing the fires to spread so rapidly and uncontrollably. Never miss another wildfire resilience success story or resource. Visit Fire Adapted Communities for more information. Air Tanker: A fixed -wing aircraft equipped to drop fire retardants or suppressants. Fire triangle: Instructional aid in which the sides of a triangle are used to represent the three factors (oxygen, heat and fuel) necessary for combustion and flame production; removal of any of the three factors causes flame production to cease. Fire break: A natural or constructed barrier used to stop or check fires that may occur, or to provide a control line from which to work. A drip torch is a hand-held device used to ignite fires by dripping flaming liquid fuel on the materials to be burned. Aerial fuels: All live and dead vegetation in the forest canopy or above surface fuels, including tree branches, twigs, cones, snags, moss and high brush. Fire ignition - The initiation of a fire. Something that acts very quickly and intensely: a land swept by the wildfire of revolution. Credit: Jamie Mobley, Bureau of Land Management, By: For people working on a prescribed or wildland fire, having a fire shelter (worn on their back) is part of their “personal protective equipment.” Credit: Penny Morgan, University of Idaho. When a fire is fully "contained," it means that the fire has been suppressed and will not continue to spread. Campfire - An open fire that meets both of the following requirements (as defined in the Wildfire Regulation (s.1): (a) the open fire burns material in one pile no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width; (b) the open fire is lit, fuelled or used (i) by any person for a recreational purpose, or Command staff: The information officer, safety officer and liaison officer [working on a wildfire]. Some companies offer unofficial naming rights for purchase. (See also Bladder Bag.) A burned classic car is seen in Little Tujunga Canyon during the Creek Fire on December 6th, 2017, near Sylmar, California. List of most popular Wildfire terms updated in February 2021 A report that quantifies fire danger by assigning it a number, with zero being the lowest (best) number; there is no limit on how high the number can go. Read "Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology: Complete Guide to Terms and Definitions Used by Wildfire Management including Acronyms" by Progressive Management available from Rakuten Kobo. Glossary of wildfire terms Last updated August 16, 2019. Definitions are largely derived from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A new report concludes that the Graham-Cassidy proposal would reduce federal funding to states by $215 billion by 2026. Wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, threatening homes and buildings throughout the region. Definitions related to fire and fuels management. A raging, rapidly spreading fire. Tools / Resources, “What did the IC say about the fuel models in the area where we’ll be performing burn out operations? By Theresa Waldrop, CNN. An agreement between the purchasing authority and the contractor that the terms and conditions of the contract have been met. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Credit: Clay Carrington. Fire intensity - A measure of the heat intensity of the flaming zone of a fire front. The test consists of walking a specified distance, with or without a weighted pack, in a predetermined period of time, with altitude corrections.