Use the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, to review and discuss the five major common denominators of fire behavior on fatal and near-fatal fires. These common denominators have been identified through studies of tragedy fires. It is important for firefighters to readily recognize them to prevent future tragedies. 

Fire managers make decisions throughout the day on how to suppress fires and best use resources while protecting life and property. This Standard Firefighting Order depicts a firefighter observing increased fire behavior during a time of day when temperatures are high and relative humidity is low.

If you find yourself in a fire entrapment situation where a shelter deployment is not possible, using a vehicle for refuge may be an option. The following are some considerations for a vehicle entrapment:

Nationally, the number of injuries and fatalities among emergency responders who are responding to roadside incidents is increasing. Although most wildland fires occur in remote areas, there are situations where wildland fire personnel are responding to fires along rural country roads, backcountry roads, or major highways; where risk still exists for firefighters.

Suppression of vehicle fires is extremely dangerous and poses many health and safety hazards to firefighters. The following procedures are recommended:

In 2005, three fireline fatalities occurred related to improper parking on slopes. One each involved a water tender, a fire engine, and a command vehicle. In wildland fire operations, we frequently exit vehicles quickly, but it is imperative that anytime a vehicle is left unattended, time is taken to assure it is parked safely and will not present a hazard to ourselves or others.

Smoke has the potential to cause safety hazards to vehicle traffic in the vicinity of active fires, both wildland and prescribed fires, especially at night. The following traffic-related items should be considered and addressed in local unit planning documents prior to an incident/project.

Riding an ATV correctly allows the operator to control the machine easily and react more quickly to changes in terrain and environment. Proper riding posture includes:

Driving is one of the most hazardous things we do because we perform the task hundreds of times in the course of our daily lives. We tend to take it for granted. Based on recent accident trends, vehicle accidents are the source of more deaths and serious injuries to wildland firefighters than any other single cause.

Dozers and tractor plows provide suppression and support capability for fire operations. When working on or around dozers on the fireline, it is important to respect the following guidelines: