As discussed in our previous article, there are eight tactical actions, three primary and five secondary, used to defend structures in the WUI. These eight tactics have been adopted by FIRESCOPE and are currently part of the CAL FIRE WUI training curriculum.
Secondary tactics are more specific than the primary tactics (check and go; prep and go; and prep and defend), because they support the goals of the primary tactics, so they generally require more resources, coordination and supervision, and cover a wider operational area. The use of secondary tactics will change throughout the operational period as fire conditions dictate.
The five secondary tactics are:
- Bump and run
- Fire front following
- Anchor and hold
- Connect the dots
- Tactical patrol
In this article, we’ll examine each of these tactics, explain what they mean, when and how to use them, and why they’re important on the WUI fireground.
Bump & Run
Bump and run is used as a defensive tactic when fire front impact is imminent or the fire is already burning structures. It’s used as an offensive tactic when resources are steering the head of a fire to a desirable end point. This tactic may also be effective in the early stages of an incident when the resource commitment is light and structure defense is the priority.
When using this tactic, resources move at or near the fire front, often in the spotting zone ahead of the fire, to extinguish spot fires and hot spots, and to defend as many structures as possible. Note: Firefighters must constantly identify escape routes to safety zones or temporary refuge areas as they move with the fire front. Control lines in front of the fire at the end point should be also identified and prepared with dozers and fire crews, and should be reinforced with retardant drops and coordinated firing operations, if time allows.
Bump and run is very useful when topography allows for optimal resource mobility. It’s very important for resources to remain agile so that they can transition back and forth between perimeter control and structure defense as needed. But with low to moderate rates of spread, firefighters may use other tactics in conjunction with bump and run, establishing multiple anchor points and preparing the end point for eventual fire front impact.
Resources that have completed their assignments should leapfrog around engaged resources to keep the process moving. Close communication is essential to move bump-and-run resources in the desired direction and to monitor incident progress.
Deploy available resources behind bump and run resources by using the “fire front following” tactic to extinguish any spot fires and perimeter fire that may still be threatening structures.
Fire Front Following
Fire front following is a fast-paced, defensive tactic that allows firefighters to defend structures while continuously advancing, but staying just behind the fire front, in the black. Fire front following should be considered when the fire intensity would likely cause injury to personnel positioned in front of the fire.
The main goal of fire front following is to extinguish spot fires and hot spots that are burning around structures, and to defend as many structures as possible from direct flame impingement and radiant heat. Firefighters should take aggressive action to save partially involved structures and to control ember production from fully involved structures. And because fire front following is commonly used in conjunction with check and go, prep and go, and bump and run tactics, firefighters should also re-check structures that were previously classified as prep and go or check and go during earlier structure triage and primary tactical evolutions.
Remember: As with other defensive tactics, firefighters must maintain situational awareness and be prepared to switch to offensive strategies and tactics as soon as conditions change or sufficient resources arrive on scene.
Anchor & Hold
With this tactic, firefighters use established control lines and large water streams in conjunction with fixed water supplies in an attempt to stop the fire when it’s spreading from structure to structure within communities or subdivisions. The goals are to 1) extinguish structure fires, 2) protect exposures and 3) reduce ember production that may ignite down-wind fuels.
Often used in conjunction with bump and run, anchor and hold is an excellent tactic for engine strike teams and task forces. When used by these resources, one engine must be committed to a dependable, fixed water supply and deploy a supply line with 1½” laterals that covers the target area. This engine must also be positioned in a safe area so that it’s not threatened during fire front impact, if the tactic fails. Mobile engines from the strike team or task force can refill from this engine and should be prepared to re-deploy to secondary control lines should the fire escape the anchor-and-hold line. Ground resources, such as engine company personnel and fire crews, should staff hoselines and extinguish hot spots, fire perimeter and burning structures, even if fully involved.
Connect the Dots
Using the connect-the-dots tactic, resources assigned to structure defense operations effectively stop forward fire spread in a particular area, which then becomes a “dot” in the overall perimeter control effort. In short, connecting controlled portions of the fire perimeter, or connecting one dot to another, is the foundation for this strategy.
Connecting the controlled section of fireline at one structure to a driveway or road where the fire is holding can be an effective method for containing portions of the fire perimeter. Using a combination of connect the dots, direct attack, indirect attack and controlled firing operations, firefighters can gradually connect sections of the fire perimeter to stop the fire’s spread all together.
Firefighters engaged in this tactic may encounter numerous spot fires around a target structure. Unless completely overwhelmed by extreme fire behavior, firefighters defending structures should use connect the dots to take action on these spot fires, while simultaneously defending their assigned structure. Important: Firefighters cannot confine their activities to the structures only, however, because doing so would allow nearby spot fires to grow into larger fires, which in turn would threaten down-wind personnel and structures.
Every type of firefighting resource should be considered for an assignment that uses the connect-the-dots tactic. Those assigned must pay close attention to their surroundings and be prepared to change tactics from structure defense to perimeter control. Communication between resources is also critical for sharing intelligence on where the gaps in the perimeter line are located. Engines should use mobile attack and progressive hoselays. Important: Don’t rule out forming engine companies into fire crews for handline construction.
Fire crews are well suited for this tactic; however, line supervisors should remember that fire crews, once deployed, are not quickly or easily re-deployed over long distances. Fire crews engaged in prep-and-defend tactics may easily change tactics to perimeter control, constructing fireline to connect areas of uncontrolled perimeter line to secured areas.
In addition to fire crews, dozers should be deployed to corral areas of multiple spot fires or connect open perimeter line to secured line over long distances. Remember: There’s always the threat of damage to private property and infrastructure when dozers work in the WUI. Exercise caution to avoid damage without compromising safety and the control effort.
Fixed-wing aircraft use may be limited depending on how much open line there is between areas of secured fire perimeter; helicopters are better suited for this close-quarters tactic. Ground resources should communicate directly with helicopters to cool hot sections of perimeter fireline.
Tactical Patrol
Tactical patrol is a continuous process of checking and re-checking structures to ensure that re-ignition threats (hot spots, creeping fire and secondary structure ignitions) are mitigated. Initiate this tactic after the main fire front has passed, but the threat to structures from smoldering or creeping fires remains and/or some areas are still exposed to down-wind ember showers.
The key to successful tactical patrol is to remain mobile and continuously monitor the tactical area while taking appropriate actions to defend structures and secure perimeter lines. When monitoring areas, firefighters must focus on residual burning threats, such as wood piles, lawn furniture and structures that had previously been ignited. They must also identify and mitigate hazards, such as islands of unburned vegetation, burning power poles, downed power lines, fire weakened trees and rolling rocks.
When using this tactic, strike team/task force leaders should deploy their resources over a wide area and encourage personnel to quickly recon their assignment areas on foot. Any fire found should be extinguished immediately. This means that resources should enter any structure that is or has been involved in fire to ensure it’s completely secured.
Fire crews should also be deployed to grid the burned area and extinguish any hotspots they find. Fire crews should work in tandem with engines, but should be encouraged to use backpack pumps as well as hoselines.
Conclusion
On most WUI incidents, firefighters will use a combination of tactics in the same area on different structures at the same time. Resource capability and availability, along with the number of structures threatened and fire behavior, will ultimately determine which tactics firefighters use. Remember: When using secondary tactics, firefighters will be working to support the primary tactics, often requiring more resources, coordination and fireline supervision. With the right combination of tactics, success on the WUI fireground should be safely and effectively achieved.
