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Types of Fire
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Define the Term
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100

In what direction do backing fires move relative to the wind?

Backing fires move against the wind (opposite direction of the wind)

100

As fuel height increases, flame length ____________

As fuel height increases, flame length increases

100

Define fire break (burn break)

A place where the vegetative fuel load is low enough to light fire safely. Examples: roads, rivers, and bare mineral soil, or zones created by mowing, burning, digging, blowing, or raking.

100

Prior to European settlement, how were fires started in much of Wisconsin?

Indigenous peoples; lightning strikes (possibly to a much lesser degree)

100

Name two fire dependent ecosystems in Wisconsin

Prairie, oak savanna, oak barrens, pine barrens, pine forest, oak forest, oak woodland, wetlands

200

In what direction do head fires move relative to the wind?

Head fires move with the wind (in the same direction)

200

As relative humidity increases, fire activity ________ 

As relative humidity increases, fire activity decreases

200

Define test fire

A small fire at the beginning of a prescribed fire, used to test and confirm the fuel and weather conditions before proceeding with rest of the fire. The test fire location will usually become the Point of Origin.

200

According to the early vegetation of WI map, what were the dominant habitat types in south central WI?

Oak savanna and Prairie

200

Name two ways prescribed fire benefits plants

  • Maintaining the herbaceous structure and/or open nature of fire-adapted plant communities
  • Increasing plant diversity and habitat heterogeneity
  • Restoring and upholding ecological resilience
  • Creating open pockets of bare ground, increasing seed-to-soil contact
  • Reducing competition for slower-growing native trees such as oaks
  • Recycling nutrients from burned fuels back into the soil
  • Reducing the presence of fire-intolerant non-natives
  • Increasing soil carbon content
  • Increasing ground water recharge
300
In what direction do flanking fires move relative to the wind?

Flanking fires move perpendicular to the wind 

300

Is there a risk to burning when wind speed is low (3-5 mph)

Yes; low winds can shift direction more than higher wind speeds

300

Define spot fire

A fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by flying sparks or embers.

300

What historic prairie did the land around Goose Pond belong to?

The Empire Prairie (AKA the 20 mile prairie)

300

Name two ways prescribed fire benefits wildlife

  • Reducing shrub and tree growth, creating open habitat for upland game and waterfowl
  • Stimulating the growth flowering forbs, which attracts a variety of pollinators, invertebrates, and seed eating birds
  • Improving plant productivity which increases fledging success for grassland-nesting birds
  • Creating heterogenous forest structure, benefiting a range of closed and open woodland species
  • Creating open pockets of bare ground, increasing diversity and richness of ground foraging, seed-eating small mammals and birds
400

What is the first type of fire lit during a standard ring fire?

Backing Fire

400

Of the following fuels, which would be most difficult to control a spot fire in: warm season grasses (i.e. indian grass), cool season grasses (i.e. brome grass), forbs (i.e. cup plant/goldenrods)

Warm season grasses (i.e. indian grass): typically taller, drier, and thicker

400

Define strip fire

A strip fire is a line of fire lit inside a burn unit to affect a more rapid burnout. The most common directions are strip fires perpendicular to the wind (a strip head fire) or strips of fire drawn parallel to the wind (strip flanking fire).

400

Name two reasons indigenous peoples used fire

Clear the land for crops

Improve grazing and forage for game species

Direct game migration

Clear brush to ease travel 

Manage the land for specific plant and animal species

And MANY more!


500

Rank the following types of fire from fastest to slowest moving: flanking, head, and backing

Fastest to slowest: Head, flanking, backing

500

Does fire move faster up or downhill?

Fire moves faster uphill

500

Define refugia

A body of land within a burn unit that is deliberately, or through happenstance, protected from fire to serve as a refuge for certain species otherwise damaged by the fire.