Brock Blevins, the Training Coordinator for the NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) asked that we pass along an online training opportunity.
The six-part training in English and Spanish will cover how remote sensing and Earth observations can be used to monitor conditions before, during and after fires. Topics covered will include weather and climate conditions, fuel characterization, fire risk, smoke detection, monitoring, forecasting, fire behavior, and post-fire landscapes. This intermediate-level training will provide lectures and case studies focused on the use of Earth observations for operational fire monitoring.
Audience: This training is primarily intended for local, regional, state, federal, and international organizations involved in resource and ecosystem management, health and air quality, disaster risk management, disaster response, and those with an interest in applying remote sensing to fire science.
The stand down follows several recent accidents and burn-related injuries
The Regional Forester of the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Region, Leanne Marten, has ordered an immediate pause on all prescribed fires within the region, which encompasses Montana, North Dakota, and Northern Idaho. In an April 19 memo, she described the reason:
In the last week and a half we have had reported four burn injuries of Northern Region employees, two very serious resulting in 3rd degree burns and surgery. Thankfully employees are recovering well.
As I mentioned on our call this morning, I am directing an immediate pause on all prescribed burns in the Northern Region until further notification from me. Each Forest Supervisor and Director are to immediately have a safety stand down with all employees to have a dialogue and assessment on where people are at and whether we are in the place with everything else going on in the world to safely move forward with this program of work.
Forest Supervisors were directed to report back by April 23 about the results of the discussions and their recommendations going forward.
One of the injuries resulted from the collar popping off a drip torch that was being carried strapped to a Forestry Technician’s pack. All of the fuel spilled onto the person’s legs and quickly ignited.
Here is an excerpt from the Rapid Lesson Sharing document dated April 13, 2021:
From the LLC Rapid Lesson Sharing report.
After the test burn for the Clear Creek Aspen Prescribed Fire was completed, blacklining operations began. The Holding Boss, with 17 years of experience, had a drip torch securely strapped to his pack, as is commonly practiced to supplement torches for the ignition crew. (See photo on left.) Fuel was not leaking from the torch.
As blackline operations continued, the brass locking ring and torch assembly simultaneously popped off the drip torch—making a noticeable audible sound. This action caused all the burn fuel to dump out at once, soaking the Holding Boss’ Nomex pants and boots.
This fuel instantaneously combusted, igniting the Holding Boss’ saturated clothing from the waist down.
The Holding Boss immediately dropped to the ground and attempted to roll. However, with his pack still on, he had limited mobility to do so. In addition, the drip torch’s burning tank was still connected to the pack.
These actions combined to ignite additional fuel in close proximity to the Holding Boss.
Difficulty in Suppressing Flames
All resources in the area immediately tried to assist the Holding Boss by trying to smother the flames on his legs with gloved hands. They removed the pack and poured water from their canteens to suppress the flames.
However, with the amount of fuel that was involved, efforts to put the flames out were not immediately effective.
While difficult to estimate, the amount of time it took to suppress the flames is estimated to be from 30 seconds to one minute.
Air Ambulance Extracts Holding Boss
The on-site EMT assessed the Holding Boss. The initial diagnosis included 2nd and 3rd degree burns on both legs.
The immediate extraction of the Holding Boss was done by air ambulance. Within 45 minutes of this burn incident the patient had been loaded into the air ambulance and was en route to the hospital.
Lessons and Follow-Up
Despite no indications of leaking, the drip torch locking ring was able to pop off, jettisoning most of the fuel from the tank. Upon initial examination of the drip torch, the locking ring used does not appear to be from the same manufacturer as the rest of the torch
The drip torch involved in this incident is being sent to the National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) for further inspection
The local unit has started to examine their drip torch inventory to ensure that the components from each torch are from the same manufacturer.
This has Happened Here Before
In the aftermath of this drip torch burn injury incident, via follow-up conversations in this dispatch zone, it has been learned that at least one other locking ring has popped off a drip torch being used during prescribed fire activities this spring.
The 10-second video below shows how this may occur:
Lessons from a Similar Event: Caldwell Fire Burn Injury
A fuel can in the bed of a pickup caught fire. In the process of removing the fuel can from the truck, fuel spilled on a firefighter’s pants and ignited. He climbed out of the truck and attempted to stop, drop, and roll on the pavement to extinguish the flames on his pant leg. Rolling on the pavement didn’t work, so he stood up, stepped to the road shoulder and rolled in the dirt, finally extinguishing the fire.
From this FLA: Actions to Take to Extinguish Burning Fuel on Pants
“Stop, drop, and roll” does not readily extinguish burning fuel on Flame Resistant clothing. Additionally, it appears that attempting to swat or pat out burning fuel can increase the fire intensity. There are some actions that can be taken to extinguish burning fuel on Flame Resistant clothing. However, these actions require human performance in very stressful situations.
Unbuckle and remove pants down to ankles or below boots. This reduces flame lengths and removes the heat from next to the skin, allowing the individual to extinguish the flames away from the legs. This method is preferred for large areas of burning fuel on pants.
Use a water bottle to pour on the flames to extinguish the burning fuel.
Drop to knees
Here is a video from the National Technology Development Program showing findings related to fuel igniting on Nomex pants:
(end of Rapid Lesson Sharing report)
Drip torches are carried strapped onto firefighters’ packs in other locations as well.
Drip torch carried strapped to a firefighter’s gear. Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, January 13, 2016. Photo by Bill Gabbert.
The Deputy Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service (R6), Debbie Hollen, confirmed the boot stipend policy in an email that circulated on April 21, 2021:
I can confirm that ALL R6 employees who are eligible for a boot stipend will receive one. This article is an example of an unfortunate misunderstanding, that we hope is limited to one National Forest. I know we have tried to ensure understanding of the change in policy related to both the stipend, and the new budget structure across the entire RLT. Boots are covered in FY21.
It remains to be seen if this ALL employees statement applies to all FS regions. On April 20 I asked Debra Schweizer, Acting Public Affairs Specialist in the FS Washington Office that question by email, “Will the boot stipend be available to every employee who qualifies this year?” If I receive a reply it will be posted here. Earlier she had written that the Washington Office “has been working with regions directly to ensure there are enough funds nationally available to cover all fire employees that participate in the program.”
Originally published at 1:38 p.m. PDT April 20, 2021
USFS photo by Jordan Gulley, Redmond Hotshots
Some field-going personnel on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon, including those with fire duties, are being told they may have to purchase some of their own required personal protective equipment this year.
In the Forest Service, certain field-going personnel and all Forestry Technicians who fight fires are required to have boots that meet the agency’s specifications — at least 8 inches high, lace-type work boots, with lug melt-resistant soles. Prices for most models range from $340 to $560. If worn by firefighters who put a lot of miles on them, the boots have to be rebuilt, repaired, or replaced regularly.
Since 2015 the Forest Service has been giving personnel who are required to have these boots a stipend up to $300 every three years to help defray the cost. On October 1 of last year it was increased to $500. The three-year schedule was then reset for everyone, which meant they all could apply for the stipend again.
Two employees on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest told Wildfire Today that this year they were informed that not everyone who qualifies will receive a full stipend because there is not enough money available.
An explanatory email sent March 29 from the Administrative Officer on the Rogue River -Siskiyou NF laid out the new policy according to Merv George, the Forest Supervisor. Eligible employees were told to submit their stipend requests by April 19 “for final review and determination of reimbursement amount.” And…
Please note: based on the number of Forest-wide requests, the full reimbursement of $500 will not be honored if total cost exceeds our allocation; instead, Merv’s decision is to split the number of requests received by the amount allocated – this includes fire and non-fire employees, for consistency…Permanent employees remain priority and if funding remains available after covering permanent staff, we may look to support temporary employee requests. Requests shall be submitted for employees who truly need/needed replacement boots and only employees with a position description identifying boots as a requirement will be considered.
The boot policy obtained from the USFS website seems fairly clear:
On April 19 I asked Forest Supervisor Merv George if everyone on the Rogue River-Siskiyou NF who is required to have boots that meet the agency’s specifications will receive the $500 stipend. He replied by email that afternoon:
The answer to your question all depends on how many employees submit a reimbursement request. I have sat aside $10k for this purpose as of now. Unfortunately the forest does not receive any extra funding for these reimbursements. Instead it is expected that they will be absorbed by our existing salary and expense line item.
If more than 20 people submit reimbursement requests that will use up the $10k I will try and find more money….meaning hiring less [temporary employees] for this season. Or we can divide up the $10k by the number and give everyone an equal share. No decisions have been made because we are still waiting to see how many folks are requesting it this year.
Sorry if it sounds complicated but until the authors of the boot policy can find a way to help the field pay for them….units are navigating this dynamic tension.
Bottom line…the leadership team and I will do our best to make the $500 reimbursement happen for all our staff who request it.
Later that afternoon I heard from Mr. George again, saying:
I just learned that I have 130 boot reimbursement requests as of now. This puts me well over the $10k I had budgeted for. I just spoke with our new R6 Fire Director about this issue too. Looks like we may see some economic help from the region on this. As I mentioned before, I will do everything I can to honor this policy.
I reached out to the Forest Service Washington Office and explained the situation in Oregon.
Debra Schweizer, Acting Public Affairs Specialist responded by email:
The Washington Office, Fire and Aviation Management, has been working with regions directly to ensure there are enough funds nationally available to cover all fire employees that participate in the program.
One of the Forestry Technicians that reached out to us last week had strong feelings. They wanted their name withheld.
These types of leaders treat the budget like it’s taking food off their own dinner plate and it’s disheartening. I’m also really irritated at the Forest and the Agency for specifically targeting the boot stipend as a way to screw people. EVERY OTHER PROFESSION I’ve seen has provided employees PPE, so why would the Agency ask people to buy these extremely expensive boots out of pocket on the ‘chance’ that they get reimbursed? Can you imagine the outcry if the public heard that the Seattle Fire Department expected their employees to buy their own bunker gear or SCBAs?
Back in the old days, before 2015, Forestry Technicians had to pay for their own boots. During my second year with the Forest Service, my initial year on the El Cariso Hot Shots, our first large fire that year in 1970 was the Safety Harbor Fire at Lake Chelan, Washington. After flying from Southern California in a Forest Service DC-3 we were hauled on a bus to a boat launch on the west side of the lake. From there we got on a sightseeing boat usually used for tourists, which took us across to the other side, where we were the initial attack on the fire. (Yeah, I KNOW. From Southern California, we were the first Forestry Technicians on the fire. Needless to say, there were a bunch of fires burning in the area and the locals were a little busy.)
El Cariso Hotshots and other firefighters on a boat being ferried across Lake Chelan to the Safety Harbor Fire in 1970. Photo by Bill Gabbert.
After two or three weeks we had a day of R&R. Some of us, including myself who had found that our boots were inadequate for Hotshot work, were taken to a shoe store in a nearby town. It was early in the season and most of us had very little money, and no credit cards. Our crew Superintendent, Ron Campbell, worked with the Finance Section to arrange for a Commissary-like process for us to buy new boots and for the funds to come out of our pay.
We all proudly walked out of the store wearing new, shiny Whites — which at the time was the preeminent footwear for firefighters and loggers. I think I paid $65 for mine, a week’s pay.
Later I heard that when the paperwork was being processed, one of the clerks in the office wondered why firefighters were buying white boots. “Won’t they just get dirty?” she said.
El Cariso Hotshots at a spike camp on the Safety Harbor Fire in Washington, 1970. We had just been chased out of a canyon after the fire blew up, like it did every afternoon around 2 p.m. In the foreground is the tub for heating “Continental Cuisine” frozen hairnet-bag meals. Photo by Bill Gabbert.
3-D map of the APPROXIMATE LOCATION of the fire at Table Mountain National Park and the Univ. of Cape Town in South Africa, 1:30 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Not to be used for planning or evacuation.
More than 200 firefighters supported by four helicopters battled a wildfire Sunday that was pushed by strong winds into the University of Cape Town. Several buildings, some historical, were damaged including the Jagger Library, which houses priceless African studies collections, unique manuscripts, and personal papers.
Other structures damaged were the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Mostert’s Mill, South Africa’s oldest working windmill built in 1796.
Helicopter drops water on wildfire and structure fire at University of Cape Town, South Africa. MM LIve, April 18, 2021.
The wind pushed the fire across the M3 highway which connects downtown Cape Town to the southern suburbs.
Times Live reported that two firefighters were hospitalized with serious burns — one from the City of Cape Town and another from Working on Fire — according J.P. Smith, a Cape Town security official.
In a statement, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) said initial investigations show that a fire suspected to have been left unattended by a vagrant is believed to have been the cause of the runaway blaze, which required the evacuation of hundreds of students from the University of Cape Town residences in Rosebank.
Heartbreaking to see the University of Cape Town like this. Greatly appreciative of all the firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to get the Table Mountain fire under control. pic.twitter.com/7fp87e2LZu
Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town, 1:30 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Wildfire Today & NASA.
Originally published at 11:16 a.m. GMT April 18, 2021
Map of the fire at TMNP and UCT in Cape Town, 1:06 p.m. GMT April 18, 2021. Wildfire Today & NASA.
A wildfire on the slopes above the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa spread into the campus and Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Sunday. The city government reports there has been significant damage to homes, a restaurant, and historical structures since the blaze started at about 8:45 a.m.
University students were ordered to evacuate as the fire spread quickly, pushed by strong winds.
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.
IOL reported that Working on Fire general manager Melany Duthie-Surtie said the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment, Working on Fire in the Western Cape, had dispatched 58 firefighters and four helicopters to assist the TMNP in the suppression effort.
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.
TMNP spokesperson Babalwa Dlangamandla said, “After the initial investigation, it is surmised that the origin of the fire is from a vacated vagrant fire.”
Executive Mayor Dan Plato noted that at least one firefighter was being treated in a hospital for burn injuries. Property has been damaged, including private homes, the Rhodes Memorial restaurant, UCT Library, and historical structures including the Mostert’s Hill windmill.
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.
Mayor Dan Plato visited the site to thank those involved in firefighting efforts.
“I wish to express our gratitude for the efforts of firefighters who have been working non-stop to bring this massive fire under control,” the Mayor said. “It is saddening to note that property and historic buildings have been damaged by this fire. It is tragic that literary treasures have been lost at the UCT library, but I have been informed that some of the most valuable works were saved by the quick activation of roller doors. Our attention and support remains with firefighters and all role players working to protect further loss of property.”
Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.Wildfire at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, April 18, 2021. Photo: City of Cape Town.
Also tells Congress “we’re on the right track with our air tankers”
The Whaley Prescribed Fire on the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, January 13, 2016. Photo by Bill Gabbert.
In testimony April 15 before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen spoke to members of Congress remotely from a spacious office. She had two clear opportunities to accept or ask for more funding in two very important inadequately budgeted areas, fuels treatment and aerial firefighting. In one case when told by a member of Congress “You’re going to need some more help in the resource department,” she incredibly said, “No.”
Doubling or tripling the treatment of fuels
Later, at 48:00, Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada had been talking about slow, medium, and fast lanes for fuel treatments: “If we want to start getting to the point with the National Forest Lands where we can say our stewardship is in the medium lane as far as fuels management then you’re going to need some more help in the resource department.”
Chief Vicki Christiansen, speaking to the Appropriations committee: “No. What I can speak to Congressman is the science. It is the policy of Congress and the Administration on how fast we go.”
(The Representative then seemed to become a little exasperated, perhaps wanting the Chief to say, “Yes, we could make more progress treating fuels if you could increase our funding.”)
Rep. Mark Amodei: “As a budget reality if this committee wants to help you with fuels, I’m just going to say it — you can disagree with me — we need to do better.”
Chief Vicki Christiansen: “We need to do better. We need to do better. We have more to do to make a difference, a significant difference, on the landscape.”
The need to do more was repeated in another discussion about treating fuels at 57:00. In a discussion with Representative Susie Lee (Nevada) the Chief said their data shows that when a wildfire spreads into an area that has been treated to reduce fuels, 86 percent of the time the fire behavior reduces significantly into a low-intensity fire. Their goal now, she said, is to “treat 40 percent of a fireshed in order to have a resilient forest.”
Rep. Susie Lee: “How realistic is it to be able to treat 40 percent of a fireshed?”
Chief Vicki Christiansen: “Well, that’s why we have to up our game two to three times what we are doing now. ”
Rep. Susie Lee: “OK.”
The Chief did not explain how she is going to increase fuels treatment by “two to three times” on stagnant funding.
Vicki Christiansen testified remotely before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies April 15, 2021.
Funding for aerial firefighting
At 34:05 in the video below Rep. Mike Simpson from Idaho was discussing aerial firefighting, and point blank asked — how much money do you need? She replied at the end of a long, off the subject meandering discourse, “We think we are really on the right track with our air tankers,” without mentioning budget needs.
“One thing I’ve been dealing with,” Rep. Simpson said, “are the aviation assets of the Forest Service… Are we going to have a clear outline for the next 10-year plan for what the Forest Service needs in terms of air assets? How the five and ten year contracts you’re looking at will affect us and benefit us and what we need to put into our budget to so that the Forest Service has the necessary equipment to address these wildfires?”
Chief Vicki Christiansen: “All great questions. But I have to say, you know it was, let me see, 16 years ago I was the new state forester in the state of Washington and my first time before this committee, you were ranking member………. [three and a half minutes later:] Relative to your question about air tankers, the contracting air tanker community has really come on line they are meeting our needs of contemporary air tanker capacity for wildland fire in the U.S. We are studying the question about going to a 10-year contract, what the pros and cons are. We’re nearly complete with that report. It will be going through clearance in a matter of a few days and it will be getting to the committee here shortly. So we’d be glad to discuss more about air tankers. But we think we are really on the right track with our air tankers. And thank you for being such a help and an advocate for getting us get the right resources.”
Rep. Mike Simpson: “Thank you.”
10-year contracts and fuel treatments
In December, 2020 Congress directed the Forest Service and the DOI to submit a report within 90 days that considered awarding 10 year contracts for aircraft available for wildland fire suppression activities.
Fire Aviation wrote about these critical issues in December, 2018 and October, 2020. Here is a brief excerpt from the latter:
These one-year firefighting aircraft contracts need to be converted to 10-year contracts, and the number of Type 1 helicopters must be restored to at least the 34 we had for years.
In addition to aircraft, the federal agencies need to have much more funding for activities that can prevent fires from starting and also keep them from turning into megafires that threaten lives, communities, and private land. More prescribed burning and other fuel treatments are absolutely necessary.
In Chief Christiansen’s five-page prepared testimony, several tech-related initiatives were mentioned:
We are also investing in several key technology and modernization portfolios; including, Data Management, Enhanced Real Time Operating Picture, Decision Support Applications, and Modern Tools for a Modern Response. Additionally, implementation of the Large Fire Assessment process, as directed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Fiscal Year 2021 Omnibus), is helping us better account for our actions while fostering a learning culture.
Chief Christiansen said (at 18:15 in the hearing) the agency is investing $8 million in a pilot program to utilize a system for tracking the location of firefighters. They are also standing up a program for Unmanned Aerial Systems by purchasing their first 20 aircraft.
The agency has signed an agreement with the Department of Defense and committed funds to access a system that uses satellites to detect fires “which already supported over 500 fires just this year alone in 2021.” She did not say if she was referring to the fiscal year which began October 1 or the calendar year.
