To develop a skill to fight forest fires, we are sent to attend a course in forest fire control or fire science from an accredited university forestry program. There we learnt that there's as much science involved as there is bravery and brawn. Meteorology, geography, engineering and management skills are all integral to forest fire control. We did learn a lot…! The following are some of the things we learned about forest fire fighting.
1. Study the weather. Wind shifts will play a big part in fire-fighting strategy; an unfavorable shift may defeat all your efforts.
2. Establish a defensive line. Without a large professional crew and airborne tankers, your only chance is to dig a firebreak. Look for a favorable spot, such as a road or a ridgetop.
3. Eliminate all flammable material along your firebreak. The wider you can make the line, the better. Remove deadwood and bushes and scatter them on the burning side of the line.
4. Soak the area along and behind the firebreak with water. If there are buildings in the area, soak them as well. Remove any vehicles.
5. Be wary of the fire jumping past your location and cutting you off. Watch for airborne embers. Also watch out for igniting treetops, which suggest a fast-moving crown fire.
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