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i have a question? i live in west texas, and we do lots of back burns to save houses or stop large running fires. So Why cant the firefighters in California light a back burn off the side of the road to stop or slow the head of the fire. Or go down the way when the fire was early and make a clearing and make a hold to save the 600+ or so houses? Just something that has been bugging me for a good while.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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I understand what you mean. I too get the same frustration when people 'know it all' and complain that things 'aren't being done corrrectly'. Usually they know nothing about the situation being discussed. I didn't see Josh's post in that way, that's all.
I'm just glad that we don't get the number of of urban interface fires that CA get. No, I should say that I hope this coming season doesn't give us urban interface fires like CA is getting now.
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Permalink Reply by Josh Sullivan on
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I agree. It was just a question i been thinking about. i have full respect for all emergency responders paid and volunteer, the firefighters in california are doing a tremendous job for all of the fires that they fight. And keeping safty the number one priority in any type of fire. and for the weather we have lots of good and bad, drought conditions little to no humidity, and high winds. I have a good idea for the area I live in. But like has been said the mountains and thick brush of trees now that might be stratagies, I didn't think about them. here in west texas we are mostly flat lands with hills as they are called. In 1998 we had a large grass fire in a drought that make its own winds, and jumped a 15 lane break cut with dozers and maintainers, it jumped with just spot fires from the radiated heat but it made it.
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Phew, I'm glad you came back and confirmed what I'd guessed Josh! Flat land wildfire and hill country wildfire, very different animals.
Spotting is dependant on a few things of course. Type of vegetation - different types having different spotting characteristics. Wind. Are the weather conditions stable or unstable. Relative humidity of course. Drought - how long? And while I'm talking about fuel, do you have burning cow pats taking off in the wind and causing spot fires? We always get incredulous laughs from recruits when we tell them that one. But it's true.
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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
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Josh
as someone who has lived and worked in Socal all my life, I did not take offense at your question. I myself have ask a few "stupid" question here about tactics in other regions. If this picture loaded correctly, you can see for youself just some of what we face here.
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The vegitation is very true for any where. THe drought was about 5-6 years with ocational but limited rain, this last year and a half has been the wettest in a long time. from jan. 1 to present we have ran around 300+ fire calls ( i might be a little low on the nubers) plus our oil refinery blowing up on feb. 18. Our vegitation is around 3-4 ft tall and taller in some areas also thick, this last week we have been hitting freezing temps so its only time before its off the races again.
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I've asked a similar question elsewhere. I think it's to do with their 'dry' hydrants. Now we need someone who really knows to give us the facts.
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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We have wet barrel hydrants (warm climate areas) and dry barrel hydrants (cold weather areas) The dry barrel hydrants are the kind that self-drain when shut (and done so properly). The wet barrel hydrants keep water inside the hydrant at all times and runs the risk of freezing. (water without movement loceked inside a metal "tube" will freeze like no tomorrow)
A dry barrel hydrant is winterized properly when you shut it off and then turn it towards the on position approximately 1/4 of a turn. Placing your hand over the 3" port you will feel suction. This means you have achieved the draining stage.
Draining the hydrant so it won't freeze is considered "winterizing" it. In the northeastern US where I live (Rhode Island) we have all dry barrel hydrants due to the cold temperatures we achieve in winter.
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The only stupid question is the one never asked. the hydrants sounds right but i have never delt with any dry hydrants, only wet ones. WE have freezes but only hit and miss 3-4 months out of a year. and its a sight to watch a engine vibrate across the ice while pumping at a structure fire!!
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We had an driver who ad just gotten through drivers training pull up on scene of a working structure fire after it had snowed the night before. The homeowners weren't too fond of physical labor so had lazily driven over the snow repeatedly throughout the day. When the Engine pulled up onto the driveway (on a hill) the driver pulled the brake and was starting to get out when he noticed the "ground was moving" from under him. Oops, parking on ice on a hill may not be so wise. Fortunately for him, the Engine stopped itself before killing someone or hitting a tree.
Needless to say your "vibrating across the ice" comment brought me back to watching that. :)
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Yes it is one heck of a sight to see, but one you only wanta watch once
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