Welcome to S-390, Introduction to Fire Behavior Caluculations Pre Course Work.

In this pre-course work, you will review intermediate fire behavior concepts from S-290, and take a pre-qualifying test. The pre-course work and test consist of fire weather, topography and slope. The results of this test will qualify or disqualify your ability to take S-390. You must pass with a 70% or better.

1.Students will demonstrate knowledge of intermediate fire behavior concepts

1. Review the reference material links below.

2. Print the maps listed below to use during the pre-course work exercises and tests.

3. When ready, click 'Start Tutorial' at the bottom of the page.

4. Upon completion, print your results and fax them to your coordinator and/or email the results. If you require a printed copy of the test, contact your course coordinator.

Fire Weather Handbook- A Guide for Application of Meterological Information to Forest Fire Control Operations (USDA 1970) (Chapters): 1-Basic Principles 2-Temperature 3-Atmopheric Moisture 4- Atmospheric Stability 5- General Circulation 6- General Winds 7- Convective Winds 8- Air Masses and Fronts 9- Clouds and Precipitation 10- Thunderstorms 11- Weather and Fuel Moisture 12- Fire Climate Regions Index

Maps and Compass- (NWCG) Overview and review of maps and compass use adapted from field observer course

Advantage Article- (FERIC 2004) Article on firefighters travel speed as it relates to steep terrain

Aids to Determining Fuel Models-(NWCG 1982) Handbook with graphics and descriptions of fuel models

Fire Behavior Nomograms- (NWCG 1992) Blank nomograms

How to Predict Spread and Intensity-(NWCG 1983) Publication reviewing procedures for estimating rates of spread, intensity, flame length and size of fires

NWS Personnel Directory- (NWS 2004) Find National Weather Service personnel

Safety Zones-(USDA 1998) Article on safety zone specifications

Standard Fire Behavior Fuel Models-(Scott and Burgan, 2004) Article on new fuel models, development and differences from 13 fuel models

410-1 Fireline Handbook Appendix B (NWCG)

Course .pdf Printable version of course.

MAPS: (print)

Topographic Exercise Map 1

Topographic Exercise Map 2

Slope Exercise Map

Hellroaring Map.pdf (Pre-Qualifying Test Map)

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