NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

An area that, in relation to wildland/urban fire, has a set of conditions that provides the opportunity for fire to burn from wildland vegetation to the home/structure ignition zone.

Systematic process to comprehend the nature of risk, express and evaluate risk, with the available knowledge.

At a general level used to refer to the ability of a system (ecological or human) to resist damage and recover from a disturbance. In ecology, resiliency tends to refer to the ability of the system to return to the pre disturbance state with no assessment of whether that state is desirable or not. From a social perspective, resilience may reference ability to return to the original state but also can refer to the ability to recover to a state more likely to resist or recover quickly from future disturbance.

A community that recognizes its risk and takes action before, during and after a fire in order for their community to be more resilient to wildfire. Fire adapted community members are informed and prepared, collaboratively planning and taking action to better live with wildland fire.

Quantitative risk assessments provide a method by which we can calculate risk based on measurements or estimates of various risk components such as likelihood of fire occurrence, intensity of fire should it occur, and susceptibility to fire of the various values being evaluated.

Any area wherein residences and other developments are scattered and intermingled with forest, range, or farm land and native vegetation or cultivated crops.

Landscaped and regularly maintained fuel break, usually put to some additional use (e.g., golf course, park, playground).

In general, the ability of a system (ecological or human) to resist damage and recover from a disturbance. In ecology, resilience refers to the ability of the system to return to the pre-disturbed state with no assessment of whether that state is desirable or not. From a social perspective, resilience references the ability to return to the original state but also refers to the ability to recover to a state more likely to resist or recover quickly from future disturbances.

The characteristics of a structure and its immediate surroundings within 100 feet; the SIZ may be extended (e.g., to 150 or 200 feet) in areas of steep terrain or dense, highly flammable vegetation. The SIZ is the key determinant for structure ignition potential during wildfire.

The area where the factors that principally determine home ignition potential during extreme wildfire behavior (high fire intensities and burning embers) are present. The characteristics of a home and its immediate surroundings within 100 feet comprise the HIZ.

Qualitative risk assessment is the application of judgment based in knowledge and experience when assessing wildfire risk, the potential for ignitions and recommendations regarding possible ways to mitigate the risk.

The ending date and time of the reporting period of an ICS 209.

The total number of residences threatened by the fire. Residence is defined as a place where one lives; a house, apartment, or other shelter used as the residence of a person, family or household. This includes primary and secondary residences. Residences are threatened if they are at risk of loss or damage, or endangered during the course of the fire. This includes, but is not limited to, residences subject to mandatory evacuation.

The version of the ICS 209 report (Initial, Update, or Final).

Additional information pertinent to the management of the incident.

The beginning date and time of the reporting period of an ICS 209.

Automated date and time stamp applied when the ICS 209 report is submitted.

Wildfire caused directly or indirectly by lightning.

Green leaves and succulents, uncured vegetation which bends and curls inwards towards the heat source due to desiccation. One of the 11 NWCG categories of fire pattern indicator.

Fire spreading, or ignited to spread, into (against) the wind or downslope. A fire spreading on level ground in the absence of wind is a backing fire.

That portion of the fire with slower rates of fire spread and lower intensity normally moving into the wind and/or down slope.

The parts of a fire's perimeter that are roughly parallel to the main direction of spread.

A mixture of chemicals designed to produce heat, light, gas, smoke or noise.

An incendiary mixture with a jelling agent used in flamethrowers and bombs.

Chipping or pitting of concrete, masonry, or stone surfaces.

Model legislation recommended by the Fire Marshals' Association of North America and adopted by many states, regulating display of fireworks.

Entering a structure of vehicle illegally by means or physical force, often characterized by prying doors and breaking windows.

The spread of the fire from one location to another.

A written resume of an expert witness used to show that expert's sufficient special expertise in the field.

The taking or keeping of a person in custody by legal authority, especially in response to a criminal charge.

An offender who sets two fires at one site, at the same time, in a single event.

Group of individuals convened to analyze, investigate and solve arson problems in a particular region.

Objects displaying more stain deposits on the exposed surface of the object than on the protected surface of the object indicating the direction of fire progression at that location. One of the 11 NWCG categories of fire pattern indicators.

Fire started as a result of land occupancy for agricultural purposes, industrial establishment, construction, maintenance and use of rights-of-way, and residences, except equipment use and smoking.

Decomposition of material by the application of heat and oxidation. Also applied to propellants and other pyrotechnic mixtures, though the proper term there is "reacting". Also often an element of the crime of arson.

A measurement of horizontal position error for a GPS unit expressed in feet or meters.

A level of certainty corresponding to being more likely true than not.

An investigative technique that involves comparing same sized indicators within an indicator category at separate locations; looking for either differences or similarities in appearance.

A causative agent.

The process of determining the ignition source, materials first ignited, ignition factors, and party responsible for a fire.

The side of an object facing the oncoming fire.

A number related to the potential number of firebrands to which a given area will be exposed during the rating day.

A vascular plant that has a usually continuous central internal stand of spongy tissue in the stem.

A search technique dividing the specific origin area into lanes that are perpendicular to the advancing fire progression for the purpose of a systematic examination.

The fuels, weather and topographical conditions of a specific fire scene or area of the fire scene at the time of fire passage.

Any item which can produce sufficient heat over a sufficient duration of time capable of bringing forest fuels to their ignition temperature and sustain open flame combustion.

A level of certainty that is feasible but does not rise to the level of probable.

The individual factors which make up the ignition sequence; competent ignition source; the type and form of first fuel ignited; oxidant, plus the circumstances, actions, or natural events that allowed the factors to come together.

The systematic application of methods, procedures, and techniques common to the field of wildand fire investigation as regularly applied to solve the problems of the investigation within each specifc scene's conditions and needs.

A fire that is intentionally ignited in an area or under circumstances where and when there should not be a fire.