Fire Legend
Fire Legend
FIRE ALERT STAGES
BLUE
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE
RED
FIRE DANGER INDEX
0-20
21-45
46-60
61-75
76-100
FIRE BEHAVIOUR
SAFE
MODERATE
DANGEROUS
VERY DANGEROUS
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
FLAME LENGTHS
0-1
1-1,2
1,2-1,8
1,8-2,4
2,4 +
GIRE CONTROL GUIDE
Fires are not likely to start. If started they spread very slowly or may go out without aid from suppression forces. There is little flaming combustion and intensity is low under all conditions. Control is readily achieved and little or no mopping up is required.
Ignition may take place near prolonged heat sources (campfires etc.) spread is slow in forests, moderate in open areas. These are light surface fires, with low flames. Control is readily achieved by direct manual attack methods and with minimum forces, difficulty may be experienced on exposed, dry slopes and some light mopping up will be necessary.
Flaming matches, etc. may start fires. Mature grassland and forest litter will burn readily; spread is moderate in forests, fast in open areas. Fires burn on the surface with moderate flame. Control is not difficult but direct and indirect attack with fire truck and labour should be used. Like to moderate mopping up will be necessary.
Ignition can occur readily, spread may be fast in the forests though not for sustained periods. Grass fires could outstrip forces with a spread of approx. 7km/hour. Fires may be very hot with local crowning and “short to medium range” spotting. Control will be very difficult requiring indirect attack methods with major assistance necessary. Mopping up may require an extended effort.
Ignition can occur from sparks. Rate of spread will be extremely fast for extended periods. Fires will be extremely hot with a dangerous heat effect on people within 10m of fire and there may be extensive crowning, fire whirls and “long range” spotting. Control may not be possible by frontal attack during the day and fire fighters should limit their efforts to containing lateral spread – until weather changes. Damage potential total and mopping up operations may be very extensive and difficult. Full assistance necessary throughout.
Low fire hazard.
Controlled burning operations can normally be executed with a reasonable degree of safety.
Although controlled burning operations can be done without creating a fire hazard, care must be taken when burning on exposed, dry slopes. Keep a constant watch for unexpected wind speed and direction changes.
Controlled burning is not recommended when the F.D.I. exceeds 45. Aircraft should be called in at the early stages of a fire.
No controlled burning of any nature should take place. Careful note should be taken of any sign of smoke anywhere – especially on the up-wind side of any plantation. Any fire that occurs, should be attacked with the maximum force all available aircraft at the time.
All personnel and equipment should be removed from field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full stand-by. At he first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time. All available aircraft are to be called for without delay.
