24.12.2014 Views

Wildland Fire Investigation, FI–210 Origin and Cause Determination

Wildland Fire Investigation, FI–210 Origin and Cause Determination

Wildland Fire Investigation, FI–210 Origin and Cause Determination

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Without entering the origin area, note <strong>and</strong> document hot piles or barrels<br />

5-11 First Responder – Arson<br />

Multiple fires set over a period of days or weeks often indicate arson. <strong>Origin</strong>s are usually near<br />

roads or trails. Protect but do not disturb any footprints or ignition sources you find.<br />

<strong>Fire</strong> <strong>Cause</strong> Categories<br />

Incendiary:<br />

Arson<br />

May involve a “hot set” or a time-delayed device<br />

Often multiple fires set over a period of days or weeks<br />

<strong>Origin</strong>s near roadsides or trails<br />

Protect the origin, tire impressions, footwear impressions, <strong>and</strong> any other evidence of the cause<br />

If the ignition source is observed, do not touch it, but do protect it from suppression activity<br />

5-12 First Responder – Equipment Operation<br />

PP Slides 34-42<br />

<strong>Fire</strong>s can be started in a number of ways by virtually anything powered by an internalcombustion<br />

engine. You’ll usually find evidence of operation, <strong>and</strong> often the equipment itself, near<br />

the origin. Make sure you look for <strong>and</strong> protect any signs of equipment use in the area.<br />

<strong>Fire</strong> <strong>Cause</strong> Categories<br />

Equipment use:<br />

<strong>Fire</strong>s started from any mechanized equipment except railroad equipment<br />

A variety of ignition sources include exhaust particles, friction, fuel or fluid leaks or spills,<br />

malfunction or direct heat transfer<br />

Equipment can range from bulldozers <strong>and</strong> road graders to passenger cars, motorcycles,<br />

chainsaws, pumps <strong>and</strong> generators<br />

Look for <strong>and</strong> protect evidence -Tire or track impressions -Chainsaw or other portable<br />

equipment use -Blade scrape or gouge marks -Blade strike marks -Equipment itself<br />

5-13 First Responder – Railroads<br />

Railroad operations can start fires in a variety of ways. The origin will almost always be on or<br />

very near the track right-of-way. However exhaust carbon can also ignite fuels some distance away, so<br />

it’s important to protect a general origin area that extends from the tracks to at least 75 or 100 feet out.<br />

If train brakes or exhaust systems fail, multiple fires, <strong>and</strong> therefore multiple origins, can occur. It is<br />

very important to stop the train that is suspected of starting the fire in order to collect evidence <strong>and</strong><br />

prevent additional fires.<br />

<strong>Fire</strong> <strong>Cause</strong> Categories

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!