This document outlines the key points from a training unit on tactics for fighting fires in the wildland-urban interface. It discusses evaluating a structure's exterior, preparing the exterior, preparing the interior, and tasks to perform after the fire front passes. Example tasks include covering openings, clearing defensible space, and patrolling after the fire to check for hotspots. The presentation walks through a simulated wildfire scenario and how tactics may need to change based on fire growth and behavior. Maintaining vigilance even after the fire winds down is emphasized.

1. S-215
Unit 7
Tactics in the Interface
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-1

2. S-215
• List items to consider when evaluating the
structure’s exterior.
• Identify items to address when performing
exterior structure preparation.
• List tasks to perform when preparing the
structure’s interior.
• Identify the importance and required tasks
to perform after the fire front passes.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-2

3. S-215
• Strategies and
tactics are a
matter of time
available and
effort needed to
succeed.
– Will efforts be most
effective to most
likely protect one
structure or maybe
protect several
structures?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-3

4. S-215
• Make best decision based
on safety, time, and
defensibility of structure.
• Prepare structure as best
as possible in time
allowed.
• Look for anything out of
the ordinary.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-4

5. S-215
• Do you observe?
– Combustible roofs and/or
siding
– Open vents
– Open, broken, and/or
screenless windows
– Open doorways or
breezeways
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-5

6. S-215
• Do you observe?
– Openings to crawl spaces
– Decks and eve
projections
– Other flammable
materials adjacent to the
structure
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-6

7. S-215
• Natural fire breaks
– Roads, driveways, Firewise landscaping, trails, or
cleared rights-of-way
• Tools and materials
–
–
–
–
Plywood, sheet metal, or boards to cover openings
Tools (construction or lawn)
Ladders
Additional homeowner assets
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-7

8. S-215
• Hydrants
• Pools, spas, cisterns, a
nd tanks
• Irrigation, garden hose
outlets, sprinklers, po
nds, and landscape
features
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-8

9. S-215
• Create home ignition zone or defensible
space.
• Remove or trim fuels.
• Remove combustibles near structure.
• Remove yard accumulation.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-9

10. S-215
• Prepare
roofs or
decks.
• Cover
openings.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-10

11. S-215
• Sprinkler Systems
– Landscaping or fire suppression
• Class A Foam
– Wet, fluid, or dry
• Fire Gel
• Structure Wrap
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-11

12. S-215
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-12

13. S-215
• Close windows and any non-flammable
window coverings.
• Close interior doors.
• Turn off fans.
• Turn off any liquid petroleum gas sources.
• Leave porch lights and electricity on.
• Close, but don’t lock, doors.
• Leave a note for the homeowner regarding
your presence.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-13

14. S-215
• Position in sheltered
location out of the
way, if possible.
• Avoid parking
vehicle on top of
flammable material.
• Close vehicle doors
and windows, but do
not lock them.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-14

15. S-215
How may this affect your tactics?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-15

16. S-215
• Check the structure for fire at
likely ignition points.
– Exterior
– Interior
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-16

17. S-215
• Provide for
patrol.
• Leave or update
information for
homeowners.
• Leave exterior
lights on.
• Secure the
structure.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-17

18. S-215
South Dakota – West Rim Fire
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-18

19. S-215
Location: Black Hills National Forest
Date/Time: July 10th 1300
Fuel Type: Ponderosa Pine with intermixed scrub Bur Oak and
Aspen/Birch
Fuel Models: 2 and 9
Area Conditions: Regional Preparedness Level 3
Forest Preparedness Level 4
Heavy initial attack activity.
ERC’s are in the 90th percentile
Fuels:
1hrs
4%
10hrs
6%
100hrs 11%
1000hrs 14%
Weather:
1300:
Predicted:
Temp: 89 F
RH: 22%
Wind: E to SE 5-10 with gusts to 15mph
Temp: 97-100 F
RH: 10-15%
Wind: E to SE 5-15 with gusts to 20mph
Synopsis: You are a USFS Engine Captain E-681. You have been
dispatched to a smoke report. During your travel time en route you
notice on the map that the fire is approximately 1 mile east of Aspen
Hills subdivision. A single resource ICT 4 is on scene, he has
instructed your engine to report to the subdivision.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 19

20. S-215
Click on image to begin animation.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-20

21. S-215
• Fire made a rapid
transition from surface
fire to single/group
tree torching.
• What additional
resources may be
needed?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 21

22. S-215
•
You arrive in the Aspen Hills
Subdivision. The smoke column
is building quickly, and you
estimate the fire to be 5 acres at
this time.
•
What structure protection tactics
will you employ to achieve the
overall structure protection
strategy?
•
What might be some of your
concerns?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 22

23. S-215
Click on image to begin animation.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-23

24. S-215
What constraints or limitations should you be considering?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-24

25. S-215
• 93 acres
• The fire jumped
road 661.1. How will
this change your
tactics?
• Some residents refuse
to evacuate. How do
you proceed?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 25

26. S-215
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-26

27. S-215
Click on image to begin animation.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-27

28. S-215
• 125 acres
• What concerns do you
have at this point of
the incident?
• What additional
resources may be
needed?
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 28

29. S-215
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7 - 29

30. S-215
Click on image to begin animation.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-30

31. S-215
• Interface fires vary in complexity from
a single, uninhabited structure to
thousands of occupied primary
dwellings.
• The strategies and tactics contained in
this unit will apply to any interface
incident.
• Firefighters must maintain vigilance as
incidents wind down.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-31

32. S-215
• List items to consider when evaluating the
structure’s exterior.
• Identify items to address when performing
exterior structure preparation.
• List tasks to perform when preparing the
structure’s interior.
• Identify the importance and required tasks
to perform after the fire front passes.
Unit 7 - Tactics in the Interface
Slide 7-32