2. Mopping Up a Fire This is where mop-up occurs Stages of Control: NUC (not under control) BHE (being held) UCO (under control) OUT (out)
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4. Mopping Up a Fire COLD TRAILING Sight – look for: - smoke - areas burned white - burning roots - behind and under solid objects - smouldering material in standing trees - under heavy cover areas
5. Mopping Up a Fire COLD TRAILING Smell - work into wind (if possible) - combine with other senses (sight, touch) Touch - locate likely hot spots - feel with hand - combine with other senses (sight, smell)
6. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES General Guidelines: Work in pairs with a combination of tools Backpack pump and digging tool (shovel) most effective combination If no water available, one person exposes burning with a Pulaski, the other uses a shovel to mix with mineral soil Work from control line progressively in towards centre of burn
7. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Extinguish each smudge, mark and recheck Patrol during peak burning periods Progress slowly, stop frequently, scan area Record smudges and systematically eliminate them
8. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Mop-up Techniques/Considerations
9. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Mop-up Techniques/Considerations Smouldering material that is not put out with water or mineral soil should be spread out: – well within control line – away from unburned fuels – allowed to burn out Eliminate (or put into a fire safe condition) fuels near the control line that may readily ignite Dig out burning roots near the control line
10. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Mop-up Techniques/Considerations Eliminate all snags inside the control line that: – could throw sparks/firebrands; or – burn off at the base and fall across control line Rearrange large quantities of unburned fuel to: – reduce effects of radiated heat; or – spotting potential should it catch fire Turn over coarse fuels to check for hidden fire Roll over & position round burning material so they won’t roll across control line
11. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Mop-up Techniques/Considerations If water is available: – use where possible and practical – use only enough to do the job – stir, exposed burning material while applying water Note: Fires considered to be UCO often escape because a narrow strip of control line was not checked during mop-up
12. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES Mop-up Techniques/Considerations If mineral soil is only available: – mix with burning material – spread out burning material and allow it to burn out Continually check control line to ensure a complete break in the fuel layers Portable infrared devices can be used to locate hot spots
13. Mopping Up a Fire CREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES DISPOSE OF UNBURNED FUELS Isolate ‘green islands’ of unburned fuels by: - burning off - isolating with hand tool line or pump and hose
14. Mopping Up a Fire AREAS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION Re-burn Jump (spot) fires Burning piles Perimeters not actioned – burned to natural boundaries – appear to have burned out Brown or yellow spots surfacing through foam
15. Mopping Up a Fire SAFETY CONCERNS Flash-over phenomenon
