USE OF WATER ON WILDLAND FIRES

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USE OF WATER ON WILDLAND FIRES
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I. As an Extinguishing Agent

• Its the best
• Absorbs 17 times the heat
• Expands 1700 times at 212 degrees
• Available in large quantities
• Its economical
• Breaks heat side of tetrahedron

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II. Water Additives

• Wetting agents and foams
• Short term
• Breaks surface tension of water so it soaks deep
  into the fuel
• Reduces amount of water use
• Lessens possibility of rekindle

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II. Water Additives

• Fire retardant
• Long term and short term
• Retardant keeps working after water dries
• Types
• Fire-trol
• Phos-check

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III. Use of Streams

• Straight stream?Reach
• Fog stream?Protection

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IV. Applying Water

• Direct at base of flames
• Parallel with fire line with tight fog
• Work nozzle close to fire

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V. Use of Water?Mop-Up

• Water conservation
• Reduce pressure
• Reduce size of hose line
• Reduce size of tip
• Hot fuel only
• Nozzle close to fuels
• Use hand tools

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VI. Safety

• Safety gear
• Cool very hot areas ? fog
• Dont stand over stump holes
• Avoid straight stream in very hot areas