1. TIME BETWEEN WATER
APPLICATION AND COMPLETE
EVAPORATION
Cycle of Water Effectiveness:
DEPENDS ON:
• Time of day
• Weather
• Season
• Volume of water applied
• Method and skill of application
• Exposure
• Soil Drainage
• Size and type of fuels
• Depth/composition of duff layer
Exposure
Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
1 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker

2. Nozzle Tips:
• high volume
• short hose lays
• separating fuels
• deep burning
fires
• intense fires
• longer hose lays
• more than 1
nozzle
• moderate duff
• moderate
intensity
The Standard
• long hose lays
• low intensity
• shallow, sub-
surface fuels
• limited water
supply
When you’re
down to a 1/4''
tip, it’s time
for a tandem
pump set up
1/2 inch 3/8 inch 1/4 inch
NOZZLE TIP SIZE DETERMINED BY
• Cycle of water effectiveness
• Time objective
• Rate of fire spread
• Fire intensity
• Length of hose line
• Pump set-up
Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
2 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker

3. Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Methods of Applying Water to the
Fire’s Edge:
Parallel
• Light fuels
• 20–30 ft. (6 to 10 m) ahead at base of flame
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
3 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker

4. PARALLEL RIGHT ANGLE
• Narrow flame front
• Light fuels
• Limited water supply
• Intense fire (light –
medium fuels)
• Fuel separation
• High intensity (heavy
fuels)
• Back pass or 2nd
forward pass
Notes:
Method of application may vary depending on
fuels and fire intensity
Generally, apply the water stream at the base of
the flame
Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Methods of Applying Water to the
Fire’s Edge (cont’d):
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
4 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker

5. Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Methods of Applying Water to the
Fires Edge:
Right Angle
• Heavy fuels
• Separates fuels
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
5 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker

6. Nozzle Operation and Water Application
Methods of Applying Water to the
Fires Edge:
Right Angle
• Heavy fuels
• Separates fuels
Module 7 – Nozzle Operation & Water Application Overhead
5 of 7 Low Complexity Prescribed Burn Worker