fuels-reduction-guide-2023 - Flipbook - Page 24
Terminology
Broadcast burn: A broadcast burn is the controlled application of fire to
wildland fuels in their natural or modified state over a predefined area, often
conducted to reduce wildland fire fuel loads, restore ecological health of an
area, or to clear vegetation. Broadcast burns accomplish planned resource
management objectives under specified conditions of fuels, weather, and
other variables.
Burn Plan: The burn plan will provide a description of the burn area, target
weather conditions, hazards that may be encountered, personnel needs,
safety, and contacts to make prior to burning. Prescribed fire projects
must have an approved, written burn plan before a prescribed fire can be
implemented.
Chipping: Chippers are used to change the size, shape and distribution of
fuels, thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Brush chipping is
an excellent option for fuels reduction, as it can be more economical than
hauling and safer than burning. The chips are blown and dispersed back onto
the land returning nutrients and providing erosion control.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP): A collaborative effort involving
government entities and affected non-governmental interests, especially local
community residents. A CWPP identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous
fuel reduction and recommends measures to reduce the ignitability of
structures.
Crown fuels: The tops of trees and shrubs usually ignited by a surface fire.
Defensible Space: Defensible Space is an area around a house or other
structure that has been modified to reduce wildfire threat. This is usually
done by clearing and separating highly flammable material so there are
no paths for fire to travel to the home. California law requires 100’ of
Defensible Space around homes and structures. When residents have done
their Defensible Space, firefighters can defend property with confidence and
safety, knowing fire behavior will be disrupted when it meets the area with
broken up fuels.
Fuel Break: A natural or manmade change in fuel characteristics that changes
fuel arrangement and continuity to reduce fire spread to structures and/or
natural resources, and to provide a safer location to fight fire. Fuel breaks are
strategically placed along a ridge, valley bottom, access road, or around a
subdivision.
Fuel continuity: A qualitative description of the distribution of horizontal and
vertical fuels. Discontinuous fuels disrupt fire behavior and slow fire spread.
Continuous fuels readily support fire spread. The larger the fuel discontinuity,
the greater the fire intensity required for fire spread.
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