6 Minutes For Safety: Wildland/Urban Interface Fires - Structure Protection

  The primary consideration of any operation is to assure firefighter and public safety.

 It is a must to assess potential fire behavior, ingress/egress routes, nature of the threat, hazardous materials, and available water supplies before engaging in the protection of any structure.

Factors that may make an attempt to save a structure hopeless or too dangerous
include:

• The fire is making a sustained run and there is little or no clearance between the structure and the fuel.
• The fire behavior is extreme; spot fires are numerous and the spread is outpacing containment.
• Water supply will not last as long as the threat of the fire.
• The fire intensity dictates that you leave the fire area immediately.
• The structure is constructed of wood and has a wood, shake roof.
• The roof of the structure is more than one-quarter involved.
• There is fire inside of the structure or windows are broken and there is no way to quickly repair them.
• You cannot safely remain at the structure because your escape route could become unusable.

When implementing a plan to protect structures, consider the following:

• Do not enter a burning structure unless you are trained, equipped, and authorized. Firefighter safety and survival is the number one priority.
• Always stay mobile and wear all of your PPE.
• Back in equipment to allow for a quick escape.
• Coil a short, charged line with fog nozzle on your engine for safety and quick knock down capability.
• Don’t make long hose lays. 
• Keep at least 100 gallons of water reserve in your tank.
• Check the road system before the fire approaches. Know bridge limits, alternate access routes, and turnarounds for your vehicle and other support vehicles.
• Determine if residents are home. Leave on the inside and outside lights, regardless of the time of day. Close the garage door.
• Place the owners’ ladder at a corner of the home on the side with the least fire threat.
• Coil and charge garden hoses.
• Check and mark hazmat; e.g., LPG, pesticides, and paint storage.

References:
Incident Response Pocket Guide pages 12-14 (2010 version)
6 Minutes Home

CFN - California Fire News 2012 

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