Wildland Firefighter Safety

TEN STANDARD FIRE ORDERS

Fight fire aggressively but provide for safety first.

Initiate all action based on current and expected fire behavior.

Recognize current weather conditions and obtain forecasts.

Ensure that instructions are given and understood.

Obtain current information on fire status.

Remain in communication with crewmembers, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.

Determine safety zones and escape routes.

Establish lookouts in potentially hazardous situations.

Retain control at all times.

Stay alert, keep calm, think clearly, and act decisively.

18 WATCH OUTS

1. Fire not scouted and sized up.
2. In country not seen in daylight.
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified.
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.
5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards.
6. Instructions and assignments not clear.
7. No communication link between crewmembers and supervisors.
8. Constructing line without safe anchor point.
9. Building line downhill with fire below.
10. Attempting frontal assault on fire.
11. Unburned fuel between you and the fire.
12. Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyone who can.
13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below.
14. Weather gets hotter and drier.
15. Wind increases and/or changes direction.
16. Getting frequent spot fires across line.
17. Terrain or fuels make escape to safety zones difficult.
18. Feel like taking a nap near fireline.

NINE Wildland/Urban Interface "Watch out" Situations

LCES

A third integral part of firefighter protection is Lookout(s), Communication(s), Escape Routes to Safety Zone(s) - LCES. As we move closer to fire season, remind your overhead team, fire officers, and lines about LCES. Some other important factors to remember include the following:

• Plan ahead.
• Know your capabilities and limitations.
• Wildland firefighting in its nastiest mode is difficult and hazardous.

Equipped with what to look for, and what to do about it, you will be able to do an inherently dangerous job safely and well.