L C P B W - Module 8

Mop-up

Mopping Up a Fire

This is wheremop-up occurs

Stages of Control:

NUC (not under control)

BHE (being held)

UCO (under control)

OUT (out)

OBJECTIVES OF MOP-UP

1. Totally extinguish the fire along the control line and in the burned area (as directed by the supervisor); and

2. Dispose of unburned fuels (as directed by the supervisor).

Notes: Tedious, dirty work but extremely important work Fire may not be visible (subsurface)

Mopping Up a FireCOLD TRAILING

Sight – look for:

- smoke

- areas burned white

- burning roots

- behind and under solid objects

- smouldering material in standing trees

- under heavy cover areas

Mopping Up a FireCOLD TRAILING

Smell

- work into wind (if possible)

- combine with other senses (sight, touch)

Touch - locate likely hot spots

- feel with hand

- combine with other senses (sight, smell)

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

General Guidelines:

Work in pairs with a combination of tools

Backpack pump and digging tool (shovel) most effective combination

If no water available, one person exposes burning with a Pulaski, the other uses a shovel to mix with mineral soil

Work from control line progressively in towards centre of burn

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Extinguish each smudge, mark and recheck

Patrol during peak burning periods

Progress slowly, stop frequently, scan area

Record smudges and systematically eliminate them

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Mop-up Techniques/Considerations

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Mop-up Techniques/Considerations

Smouldering material that is not put out with water or mineral soil should be spread out: – well within control line – away from unburned fuels – allowed to burn out

Eliminate (or put into a fire safe condition) fuels near the control line that may readily ignite

Dig out burning roots near the control line

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Mop-up Techniques/Considerations

Eliminate all snags inside the control line that: – could throw sparks/firebrands; or – burn off at the base and fall across control line

Rearrange large quantities of unburned fuel to: – reduce effects of radiated heat; or – spotting potential should it catch fire

Turn over coarse fuels to check for hidden fire

Roll over & position round burning material so they won’t roll across control line

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Mop-up Techniques/Considerations

If water is available:

– use where possible and practical – use only enough to do the job – stir, exposed burning material while applying water

Note: Fires considered to be UCO often escape because a narrow strip of control line was not checked during mop-up

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

Mop-up Techniques/Considerations

If mineral soil is only available:

– mix with burning material – spread out burning material and allow it to burn out

Continually check control line to ensure a complete break in the fuel layers

Portable infrared devices can be used to locate hot spots

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

DISPOSE OF UNBURNED FUELS

Isolate ‘green islands’ of unburned fuels by:

- burning off

- isolating with hand tool line or pump and hose

Mopping Up a Fire

AREAS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION

Re-burn

Jump (spot) fires

Burning piles

Perimeters not actioned – burned to natural boundaries – appear to have burned out

Brown or yellow spots surfacing through foam

Mopping Up a Fire

SAFETY CONCERNS

Flash-over phenomenon

Mopping Up a Fire

Mopping Up a FireCREW ORGANIZATION & TECHNIQUES

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