Appendix C 
                                                     
                      Four Mile Canyon Hazard Assessment 
                          Structural Triage and Preparation 
                                                     
                             Size Up Considerations 
   •  What is the current and expected weather? 
   •  Are fuels heavy, moderate, or light? What is the arrangement and continuity of fuels? 
   •  Note any hazardous topography. 
   •  What have fires in this area done before? 
   •  What is the fire’s current and expected behavior?  
      o  What is the rate and direction of spread? 
      o  What is the potential for spotting and firebrands? 
      o  Will topographical features or expected weather changes affect the rate of spread? 
   •  What are the number and density of structures threatened? 
   •  What are the available resources? 
   •  Will you have to evacuate people or animals?  
      o  Are there residents who will not evacuate? 
   •  How hazardous is the structure? 
      o  What is the roofing material? 
      o  Are the gutters full of litter? 
      o  Are there open eves and unscreened vents? 
      o  Does the structure have wooden decking? 
      o  Is there defensible space? 
      o  Are there large windows with flammable drapes or curtains? 
      o  What is the size and location of propane tanks and/or fuel storage tanks? 
    
                                  Fire Fighter Safety 
    
   •  What are the routes of egress and ingress?  
      o  What is the largest engine that can access the structure safely? 
      o  Are the roads two way or one way? 
      o  Are there road grades steeper than 8%? 
      o  Are the road surfaces all weather? 
      o  Are there load-limited bridges? 
   •  Are there anchor points for line construction? 
   •  Are there adequate safety zones? 
   •  What are the escape routes? 
   •  Are there special hazards such as hazardous materials, explosives, high-voltage lines, or above 
         ground fuel tanks? 
   •  Are communications adequate? 
 
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                                       Structural Triage Categories 
 
Sort structures into one of three categories:  
1. Stand Alone or Not Threatened 
2. Defendable 
3. Not Defendable. 
 
      •  Factors that may make an attempt to save a structure too dangerous or hopeless: 
            o  The fire is making sustained runs in live fuels and there is little or no defensible space 
            o  Spot fires are too numerous to control with existing resources 
            o  Water supply will be exhausted before the threat has passed 
            o  The roof is more than Ό involved in flames 
            o  There is fire inside the structure 
            o  Rapid egress from the area is dangerous or may be delayed 
 
                          Apparatus Placement Considerations 
 
Common Ignition Points 
      •  Flammable roof coverings and debris 
      •  Unscreened vents, windows or holes 
      •  Open doors, windows or crawl spaces 
      •  Wooden decks, lawn furniture, stacked wood and trash piles 
      •  In windy conditions, firebrands can enter almost any opening 
      •  Openings under porches or patio covers 
 

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1 Teie,William C.,1995, Firesighter's Guide, Urban/Wildland Situations. Deer Valley Press 
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