Wildland Firefighting Operations

Introduction to Watch Out Situations

• 18 Watch Out Situations: Part of the backbone of wildland firefighting operations.
• 10 Standard Fire Orders: Guidelines to assist firefighters in decision-making.
• History:
  • Late 1960s: Developed as 13 Watch Out Situations.
  • 1987: Expanded to 18 situations.

Purpose and Application

• Dynamic Nature: Must be continually referenced throughout the operational period.
• Usage:
  • Serve as trigger points.
  • Help recall past experiences applicable to current situations.
• Understanding: Firefighters need to understand and apply each situation effectively, beyond just memorization.

Case Study: Captain's Experience

Initial Situation

• Early Morning Call: 04:30, the captain receives a call about a lightning strike fire.
• Ranger's Orders: Gather engines and locate the fire, details unclear.
• Challenges:
  • Unfamiliar with local conditions and terrain.
  • Firefighters uninformed about strategies, tactics, hazards, safety zones, and escape routes.

Fire Discovery and Initial Actions

• Time: Around 1 o'clock.
• Weather: Hotter and drier, smoke discovered from drainage.
• Issues:
  • Difficult terrain, no view of main fire.
  • Lack of communication with crew.
  • Fire not scouted or sized up.

Critical Developments

• Fire Dynamics:
  • Wind increased, changing direction, flames fanned.
  • Fire active while captain was resting.
• Response: Contacted firefighters to build fireline downhill, despite unburned fuel.

Escalation and Crisis

• Actions:
  • Attempted direct assault on fire.
  • Began fire line construction without a safe anchor point.
  • Faced frequent spot fires.
• Realization: No safety zones identified; terrain and fuels complicated escape.

Outcome

• Surrounding Fire: Captain and crew in trouble; fire engulfed the engines.
• Escape: Captain jumped through a gap in the flames, reached scorched hillside.
• Final Support: Firefighters assisted captain to safety zone.

Lessons Learned

• Reflection: Captain neglected the 18 Watch Out Situations.
• Commitment: Vowed to remember the lessons from the experience.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding and applying the 18 Watch Out Situations to avoid tragic outcomes in wildland firefighting.