Reality set in quickly as I tore the plastic on my fire shelter. There was no longer any hesitation, no stigmas to worry about, this was survival. I remember saying “I will see you on the other side” to my partners as I fumbled with unfolding my shelter.
Risk Management
Blowing Up Hazards
“This use of blasting as an available tool proved critical to meeting incident objectives and successfully reduced risk exposure to firefighters.”
Engagement Dilemma
Engagement Dilemma revisited: What would you do?
The Problem with LCES
Here is the deal. You damn sure ought to use LCES for all of your operations. But under no circumstances should you use it as proof that you are safe. Nothing we do is safe.
2020 Mid-Year Analysis
Here are some numbers and a few lessons from incidents that occurred during the first half of 2020 (January - June).
Is LCES Dead?
The following thoughts and observations are derived from my own perspective that is based on 25 seasons filled with two shelter deployments, plenty of near misses, getting hit with branches because I was mesmerized by how awesome falling a burning snag is, falling asleep while driving, falling out on hikes (because I suck at hiking, smoke too much). Oh yeah, as well as one divorce and four or five failed relationships.
The Coronavirus Pandemic and Fuel Geysering
Be Aware: Gasoline being used during the warming months—May, June, July—may be more susceptible to geysering than in previous years.
COVID-19 Risks: Do More Vehicles Mean More Risk? A Quantitative Approach
This article suggests some risk management tools to consider when weighing risks related to COVID-19 and Wildland Fire.
Throwing Us a Monkey Wrench of Historic Proportions
[This article is featured in the Spring 2020 Issue of Two More Chains.] By Bre Orcasitas The Era Before COVID-19 If you stop and think about it, normal annual preparation and implementation of wildland fire resources is akin to a well-rehearsed orchestra whose members all know their part and come in on cue. An orchestra … Continue reading Throwing Us a Monkey Wrench of Historic Proportions
The Northern Rockies Training Center’s Tree Hazard Identification Simulation
Tree Hazard Identification Simulation: It is a tool that may allow you to retain some “slides”, increase your margin, or just flat out practice in an environment that is “safe to fail”.