Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Scott Elsner on June 19, 2009 at 12:12pm

In Burleson County we have cages behind the cab of our brush truck, some departments have what we call suicide seats, seats on the bumper of the truck, you eat the most smoke and get scratched up the easiest.

Permalink Reply by Eric Hamlett on June 21, 2009 at 10:33am

Yes we use the same rule as you. But some times things change so we have to change.Depends on what it is where it is where its going and so on .

Permalink Reply by JP Desilets on August 22, 2009 at 5:32pm

Generally we (Florida Division of Forestry) attack our wildfires from the green (unburnt side) We are also using tractor plows to make fuel breaks and access lanes for the fire, and try to pick lighter fuel areas to plow through, depending on conditions. the black is used as our safety zone, as the only other escape route is doubling back down our line

Permalink Reply by Jeremy T Bell on September 2, 2009 at 7:02pm

The rivers running through our area sometimes make it difficult to attack from the black. In that case we will flank on the side with the least amount of fuel and wind.

Permalink Reply by Dave on September 4, 2009 at 12:00am

We generally attack from the green here in the Great Basin fuel type (sagebrush). Of course it all depends on condtions at the time of attack. We stay to where we can quickly jump/drive into the black, as we don't allow FF's to squirt from the cab, instead the FF's walk alongside the engine, but about 4 feet away... about even with the mirrors.

This tactic doesn't work in the tall grass and lovegrass of OK... having spent some time there, the residual heat would destroy rubber tires, not to mention what it would do to the FF's feet.

Permalink Reply by Tony P on September 5, 2009 at 7:35pm

As we all know, the method of attack in any job depends on the situation faced. For us in the south-east of Aus (g'day from Vic. Ruthie) the favourite method of grassfire attack is from the moving vehicle; from the black if the fire is wind driven or from the green if the wind is in favour. As Ruthie said, we have attack positions on the back of the trucks. The trucks used (called Tankers) have sprays fitted in front of the front wheels to help protect the tires from the heat - we also keep moving!

Permalink Reply by Mark Montgomery on October 13, 2009 at 3:06am

Attack stance here in New Zealand (hey Tony P & Ruthie) depends very much on the terrain. In the South Island they do have some very large, wind-driven grass fires, and you definitely want to be in the black if at all possible. Where I am in the upper North Island we have lots of steep hills so will attack from where we safely can, dependent on the wind direction.

Permalink Reply by Tony P on October 27, 2009 at 2:50am

Exactly what it all comes down to Mark, we do what is best and safest depending on the situation!

Permalink Reply by John C. Querin Sr on April 18, 2010 at 12:43pm

Here in Eastern Washington State we use the attack from the black rule as much as possible if we have to we bring the black with us. Our trucks are almost all equippped with front nozzles and are either 4 or 6 wheel drive with at least 700 gallons of water so it is a lot easier to burn and put it out as you move and still have your back covered.