Mop Up Final Attack

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MOP-UP / FINAL ATTACK Terry Severson The Nature Conservancy Northwest Florida Program 2001 Engine Academy

WHAT IS MOP-UP?: 

WHAT IS MOP-UP? DIRTY DIGUSTING MISERABLE JUST PLAIN NO FUN VERY IMPORTANT

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I DO MEAN DIRTY! I am a MOP SHOT

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WHAT IS MOP- UP? The process of containing a fire to the extent necessary to eliminate the possibility of escape and unacceptable smoke hazards. Safety is the number one priority

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WHEN DOES MOP-UP BEGIN? NOW?

OR NOW?: 

Rules for Mopping Up OR NOW? Start work as soon as possible Secure and extinguish burning material along fire line Deal with hazards both inside and outside the line Reinforce lines Check for spots

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Plan for adequate resources shift change? Tools follow the water Match the water to the job Patrol, patrol, patrol Monitor weather Ensure logs/debris cannot roll across fire line Make sure all burning fuel is burnt out , spread, or buried

Systematic Mop-up: 

Systematic Mop-up Plan burn to limit amount of fuel requiring mop-up Determine the level of mop-up required Give light fuels time to burn out Work in pairs; assign specific areas for crew pairs to mop up Determine course of action and objective for each hot spot

Use Your Senses to Detect Burning Material: 

Use Your Senses to Detect Burning Material Sight - look for whiffs of smoke, heat waves, steam, white ash, stump or root holes, gnats Touch - remove your gloves and feel for heat (= cold trailing) Smell - detect smoke and gases Hearing - listen for crack and pop of burning materials, hiss when spraying water

Methods of Mop-up: 

Methods of Mop-up Dry mop Using tools without water Scraping, stirring, mixing, separating, turning logs, etc. Wet mop Using water/foam in combination with tools Use fine spray to conserve water Use straight stream to penetrate fuels or reach elevated fuels Use a mop-up wand

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Dry Mop Up Wet Mop Up

MOP-UP IN DRY CONDITIONS: 

MOP-UP IN DRY CONDITIONS Small fires - 100% mop-up Large fires - 100’ in or agency standard Dry mop charred logs and stumps Drop burning snags, if in doubt flag Always work water with a tool Eliminate or spread jackpots Cold trail

MOP-UP IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS: 

MOP-UP IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS Use water to hasten tasks Cold trail or use IR to make sure fire is dead out Patrol

WATCH OUT SITUATIONS FOR MOP-UP: 

WATCH OUT SITUATIONS FOR MOP-UP Mop-up cannot be completed with current resources by 1000 the next day Muck and duff is burning Large unburned patches within the fire that cannot be burned out Low humidity and some wind predicted for that night. Worse wind predicted for next day or wind shift Thunderstorm activity Tired crews

STANDARDS FOR DECLARING A FIRE OUT: 

STANDARDS FOR DECLARING A FIRE OUT Check for spot fires No unburned patches No fire in logs, stumps, roots, etc. Cold trail rotten fuels and muck/duff that have been burning Fire mopped up at night should be checked next morning Agency standards, defer this decision to jurisdiction with this responsibility

MOP-UP SAFETY: 

MOP-UP SAFETY HAZARDS Overhanging or leaning trees Hollow or fire scarred trees Snags Branches, tree tops, loose bark Hot rocks or soil Swinging tools Blow-back when applying water Carbon monoxide exposure Haz-mat Time for extra vigilance ?

Mop-up Safety: 

Mop-up Safety Protection Always wear PPE Emphasize eye and head protection

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Burning Snag

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EVERYONE GOES HOME AFTER THE SHIFT