Wildland Shadow Prediction
TRAINING BULLETIN 98-03
Huntington Beach Fire Department
Applicable ( ü ) to the following personnel:
Fire Administration Fire Prevention Fire Captain Fire Paramedic
Chief Officer ü Fire Suppression Fire Engineer Firefighter

Wildland Shadow Prediction
  1. INTRODUCTION
    2.

    A. Purpose: This bulletin is to provide uniform procedures to assure personnel safety at a wildland fire.

    Background: Wildland fire behavior is extremely predictable! Firefighters continue to die each year due to known wildland fire fighting errors.

  2. PROCEDURES
    1. Scenario

You are a member of a Strike Team deployed into a brush area with numerous slope, angles, and ridges. Because of the urgency of your assignment and the stress of the moment, you are unable to determine which slope has been preheated by the sun. Slope preheating is the second most important factor in brush fire safety. Wind is the most important factor, Always remember, "WIND IS KING."

The following tips can be used by all members, from the Incident Commander, to the tailboard firefighter, to quickly determine which slope has been preheated by the sun:

 

            B. Use your shadow

    1. Your shadow will always point to the preheated slope.
    2. When a slope, your shadow, and the wind are all lined up, that slope is in alignment and ready to burn.
    3. If you or your company are standing on a ridge line or a mid-slope road with fire below you; and you can’t find your shadow because it is behind you; and the wind is in your face, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE!

                                4. Always use your shadow.