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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

Term Steward Status Definition
flight time AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved The time from the moment the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of flight until the moment it comes to rest at the next point of landing.
flight visibility AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Average forward horizontal distance from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects may be seen and identified by night.
flipped classroom QMC Qualifications Management Committee, TDSC Training Delivery Subcommittee Approved The flipped classroom is a training model and a type of blended learning in which asynchronous content is delivered, often online, before a synchronous training. This allows for enhanced discussion and practical engagement when students and cadre interact in real time.
floatable pump ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved Small portable pump that floats in the water source.
flow conditioner ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved Chemical powders that will, in very small quantities, tend to prevent other powders from caking and flocculating. Imparts free-flowing qualities to powder. Used with fire retardant chemicals.
fluid foam ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved A low expansion foam type with some bubble structure and moderate drain time, exhibiting properties of both wet and dry foam types, which is used for extinguishment, protection, and mopup.
fly ash FMSC Fuels Management Subcommittee Approved Particulate matter emitted by a fire and larger than 10 microns in diameter with a consequently short residence time in the atmosphere.
foam ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved The aerated solution created by forcing air into, or entraining air in water containing a foam concentrate by means of suitably designed equipment or by cascading it through the air at a high velocity. Foam reduces combustion by cooling, moistening and excluding oxygen. 
foam blanket ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved A layer of foam which forms an insulating and reflective barrier to heat and is used for fuel protection, suppression, and mopup.
foam concentrate ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved The concentrated foaming agent as received from the manufacturer which, when added to water, creates a foam solution; use only those approved for use in wildland fire situations by the authority having jurisdiction.
foam generation ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved The foam production process of forcing air into or entraining air in foam solution, creating a mass of bubbles.
foam line IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved A body of foam placed along areas to be protected from fire; also used as an anchor for indirect attack in place of hand-made fire line.
foam solution ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved A low expansion foam type with no expansion, therefore lacking bubble structure, which is used for mopup and flame knock down.
foam systems ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved The apparatus and techniques used to mix concentrate with water to make solution, pump and mix air and solution to make foam, and transport and apply foam. (Systems defined here include compressed air foam and nozzle aspirated.)
foam type ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved A term used to describe the consistency and viscosity of low expansion foam as the combination of drain time and expansion.
foaming agent ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved An additive that reduces the surface tension of water (producing wet water) causing it to spread and penetrate more effectively and which produces foam through mechanical means.
Foehn wind IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved A warm, dry and strong general wind that flows down into the valleys when stable, high pressure air is forced across and then down the lee slopes of a mountain range. The descending air is warmed and dried due to adiabatic compression producing critical fire weather conditions. Locally called by various names such as Santa Ana winds, Devil winds, North winds, Mono winds, etc. 
folding tank ETSC Equipment/Technology Subcommittee Approved A portable, collapsible water tank with a tubular frame. Tank capacities vary in size from 500-1500 gallons.
Food Unit QMC Qualifications Management Committee, NISC NIMS Integration Subcommittee Approved Food Unit staff determine the food and hydration needs of personnel assigned to the incident and plan menus, order food, provide cooking facilities, cook and serve food, maintain food service areas, and manage food security and safety.Efficient food service is especially important for extended incidents. Food Unit staff anticipate incident needs, such as the number of people who will need to be fed and whether the incident’s type, location, or complexity predicates special food needs. The unit staff supply food to meet the nutritional needs during the entire incident, including all remote locations (e.g., camps and staging areas), and supply on-site food service to operations personnel who are unable to leave their assignments. Careful planning and monitoring helps ensure food safety before and during food service operations, including the assignment, as needed, of public health professionals with expertise in environmental health and food safety.
foot valve MFES Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee Approved Spring action check valve usually used at the lower end of suction hose often incorporating a strainer.
forb FMSC Fuels Management Subcommittee Approved A plant with an herbaceous (soft, rather than permanent woody) stem, that is not a grass or grasslike plant.
forced landing AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Landing necessitated by failure of engines, systems, or components which makes continued flight impossible and which may not result in damage.
forcible entry FISC Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved Entering a structure of vehicle illegally by means or physical force, often characterized by prying doors and breaking windows.
forecast area IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved Geographical area for which a fire weather forecast is specified.
forest fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived Variously defined for legal purposes (e.g., the State of California Public Resources Code: uncontrolled fire on lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, grass, grain, or other flammable vegetation). Types of fires are ground, surface, and crown.
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