NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

Communication call sign assigned as a unique identifier to an aircraft.

A smoke emission control strategy that considers meteorological conditions when scheduling prescribed fires in order to avoid incursions into smoke sensitive areas.

The continual process of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence, information, and knowledge to allow organizations and individuals to anticipate requirements and to react effectively and safely.

Horizontal angle or bearing of a point measured clockwise from true (astronomic) north.

A circle graduated in 360 degrees in a clockwise direction from true (astronomic) north.

Angle or bearing 180 degrees opposite of azimuth.

A back bearing is measured from the object to your position. It is the exact opposite of a direct bearing.

Used in some localities to specify fire set to spread against the wind in prescribed burning.

Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures.

A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire or change the direction of force of the fire's convection column.

A flame generating device (e.g., a fount containing diesel oil or kerosene and a wick, or a backpack pump serving a flame-jet).

A tactic associated with indirect attack, intentionally setting fire to fuels inside the control line to slow, knock down, or contain a rapidly spreading fire. Backfiring provides a wide defense perimeter and may be further employed to change the force of the convection column. Backfiring makes possible a strategy of locating control lines at places where the fire can be fought on the firefighter's terms. Except for rare circumstance meeting specified criteria, backfiring is executed on a command decision made through line channels of authority. 

In air pollution control, the concentration of air pollutants in a definite area during a fixed period of time prior to the starting up, or the stoppage, of a source of emission under control. In toxic substances monitoring, the average presence in the environment, originally referring to naturally-occurring phenomena. 

That portion of the fire with slower rates of fire spread and lower intensity normally moving into the wind and/or down slope.

Fire spreading, or ignited to spread, into (against) the wind or downslope. A fire spreading on level ground in the absence of wind is a backing fire.

According to the American Meteorological Society, in the Northern Hemisphere, a wind that rotates in the counterclockwise direction with increasing height. In fire management usage, in the Northern Hemisphere, a wind that rotates in the counterclockwise direction over a given time period (normally a few hours).

A portable sprayer with hand-pump, fed from a liquid filled container fitted with straps, used mainly in fire and pest control.

A partitioned wall placed in vehicular or aircraft water tanks to reduce shifting of the water load when starting, stopping or turning.

A valve in which fluid flow is controlled by a ball with a hole drilled through it. In one position, fluid flows through the hole. When the valve is turned 90 degrees (1/4 turn) the hole is perpendicular to the flow and the ball stops the flow. Intermediate valve positions can be used to adjust the flow. 

A collapsible bucket slung below a helicopter. Used to dip water from a variety of sources for fire suppression.

The efficiency technology of either 25 KHz or 12.5 KHz in the frequency bands within the UHF/VHF ranges.

The act of throwing mineral soil about the base of an unlighted snag to prevent its being ignited by a surface fire.

According to the American Meteorological Society, an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.

Atmospheric pressure corrected for elevation.

Any obstruction to the spread of fire. Typically an area or strip devoid of combustible fuel.

A location where personnel coordinate and administer logistics functions for anincident. There is typically only one base per incident. (An incident name or other designator is added to the term Base.) The ICP may be co-located with the Incident Base.

The location of initial attack forces.

An area representative of the major fire problems on a protection unit. Base fuel model and slope class are chosen from the base area.

A representation of the vegetative cover and fuel in a base area. Used in the calculation of fire danger rating.

The number of hours in a daily tour of duty.

An imaginary line on the ground running east-west (horizontal) measured with special accuracy to provide a base for surveying.

The time established to take the fire danger observations. It should be at the time of day when the fire danger is normally the highest. The usually agreed upon time is 1:00 pm standard time. This allows time to transmit observations and prepare forecasts. 

A fixed central radio dispatching station controlling movements of one or more mobile units.

In prescribed burning, the initial line of fire, usually set as a backing fire along a barrier or control line, which serves to contain subsequent burning operations.

Basic life support skills performed by an EMS practitioner or service, e.g. splinting, bandaging, oxygen administration, use of the AED.

Refers to the scheduled workweek of the employee (individual) at the home unit.

Manually adding and mixing a concentrated chemical, such as liquid foam, or powdered or liquid retardant with water, or gelling agents with fuel, into solution in a tank or container.

The horizontal direction to or from any point, usually measured clockwise from true north, or some other reference point through 360 degrees.

According to the American Meteorological Society, a system of estimating and reporting wind speeds using a numerical scale ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane).

A system of interactive computer programs for modeling fuel and fire behavior, comprised of two systems: BURN and FUEL. 

An observable activity or action demonstrated by an individual in a particular context.

Belt-mounted case with pockets fitted for anemometer, compass, sling psychrometer, slide rule, water bottle, pencils, and book of weather report forms. Used to take weather observations to provide on-site conditions to the fire weather forecaster or fire behavior analyst. Observations include air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. 

Something that represents, promotes or enhances a desired outcome, being of positive value and contributing to the attainment of organizational goals. Benefits represent one end of the spectrum of outcomes from fire, with the opposite end being harm, loss or damage. 

A ridge of soil and debris along the outside edge of a fireline, resulting from line construction.

An emission limitation action based on the maximum degree of emission reduction (considering energy, environmental, and economic impacts) achievable through application of production processes and available methods, systems, and techniques.

Those agency costs that are billable and/or reimbursable as defined by the master or individual cost share agreement.

An event dealing with the hazardous situations that arise as with the presence of biological hazards and/or deadly chemicals. This category includes chemical spills/leaks, deliberate poisoning, chemical accident, animal/plant disease outbreak, biohazard exposure, etc.

The birth month and day for the overhead resource.

Preburning of fuels adjacent to a control line before igniting a prescribed burn. Blacklining is usually done in heavy fuels adjacent to a control line during periods of low fire danger to reduce heat on holding crews and lessen chances for spotting across control line. In fire suppression, a blackline denotes a condition where there is no unburned material between the fireline and the fire edge.

A collapsible backpack portable sprayer made of neoprene or high-strength nylon fabric fitted with a pump.