Author: USDA Forest Service
Date: 2009-04-29

ALBUQUERQUE ZONE
INITIAL ATTACK
HANDBOOK
2113 Osuna RD NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
505-346-2660 (24 Hour Number)
nmabc@firenet.gov

Incident Name
P#/Fire Code
IC Name
Date/Time

Command Freq
Tactical Freq
Air To Ground
Air to Air
Contained	Time: Date:
Controlled	Time: Date:
Out	Time: Date:

Incident Commander	Type	Time	Date

Signatures
IC:		Date:
FMO/AFMO:		Date:

Incident Operational Protocols
IC Identified and known by all.
LCES in place.
Size up completed and reported.
Incident Complexity Analysis completed and monitored by IC and DO.
Briefing Checklist followed. back cover
Personnel Fully Qualified.
Span of control and resources adequate for assignment.
(Complexity Analysis)
Contact DO about Fire/Updates with in 30 mins of official size-up
Conditions or assignment change. Re-evaluate Risk Management Process.
Additional Incident Commander
Trainee positions filled if conditions permit.
After Action Review completed in a timely manner. (End of Shift Daily)
Resource evaluations completed
If in Wilderness use MIST tactics and seek approval for intrusions If Necessary. Keep track of Wilderness intrusions
Keep track of the use of Red Lights and Sirens.
Track supply needs

INCIDENT OBJECTIVES
1. SAFETY of firefighters and public
2.
3.
4.
Your goal is to manage the incident and not create another

Size-up Report

Incident Name:	P#/Fire Code:
IC:	Ownership:
Size:	Date/Time:

TS:	RNG:	SEC:
LAT:	LONG:
Direction to Fire:

Elevation: Top Bottom
Cause: Lightning Human Cause Unknown

Values at Risk:
Hazards:
Complexity: Type V Type IV Type III
Spread Potential: Low Mod High

Fire Behavior

Smoldering	Creeping	Running
Spotting	Torching	Crowning
Flame Length:

Slope: 0-25% 26-40% 41-55% 56-75% 76+%

Aspect:
Position on Slope: upper 1/3 middle 1/3 lower 1/3
Fuels Burning: Grass Brush Slash Heavy Timber Snag
Adjacent Fuels: Grass Brush Slash Heavy Timber Snag
Wind Speed (eye level): Direction:
Management Strategy:
Resources Needed:

Emerging Incident Complexity Analysis (Type 3, 4, 5)

NOT COMPLEX—Proceed with initial attack	YES	NO
Fire Behavior
Fuels extremely dry and susceptible to long range spotting or you are currently experiencing extreme fire behavior.
Weather forecast indicating no significant relief or worsening conditions-
Current or predicted fire behavior dictates indirect control strategy with large amounts of fuel within planned perimeter.
Firefighter Safety
Performance of firefighting resources affected by cumulative fatigue.
Overhead overextended mentally and/or physically.
Communication ineffective with tactical resources or dispatch.
Organization
Operations are at the limit of span of control.
Incident action plans, briefings, etc. missing or poorly prepared.
Variety of specialized operations, support personnel or equipment.
Unable to properly staff air operations. Limited local resources available for initial attack.
Heavy commitment of local resources to logistical support.
Existing forces worked 24 hours without success.
Resources unfamiliar with local conditions and tactics.
Values to be protected
Urban interface: structures, developments, recreational facilities, or potential for evacuation.
Fire burning or threatening more than one jurisdiction and potential for unified command with different or conflicting management objectives.
Unique natural resources, special-designation areas, critical municipal watershed, T& E species habitat, cultural value sites.
Sensitive political concerns, media involvement, or controversial fire policy.

If you have checked ‘Yes” on more than 3 of the analysis boxes, consider requesting the next level of incident management support.

INCIDENT ORGANIZATION

INCIDENT COMMANDER

PIO

OPERATIONS

OPERATIONS

STAGING

STAGING

AIR OPERATIONS

AIR OPERATIONS

DIVS

DIVS

DIVS

DIVS

DIVS

DIVS

PERSON

PERSON

NUMBERS

NUMBERS

NET

NET

FREQUENCY

FREQUENCY

		COMMAND
		SUPPORT
		AIR GROUND
		AIR TO AIR
		TAC
		TAC

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ORDERED/ASSIGNED

Resource & Identifier # of Personnel	Date & Time Ordered	ETA	ARRIVAL/ / BRIEFING	UNIT/ / AGENCY	Location/Assignment/Status	RELEASED

2 to 1 work ratio /start _________finish_____

Safety Checklist
(If you answer NO to any of these questions, take corrective action immediately!)

YES	NO	Do you have a current forecast?
YES	NO	Is observed weather consistent with forecast?
YES	NO	Can you control the fire with the resources available under expected conditions?
YES	NO	Have you developed a plan to attack the fire? ( Direct or Indirect, Anchor Points, Escape routes, Priority areas)
YES	NO	Have you communicated your plans to everyone on the incident?
YES	NO	Lookouts in place or can you see the entire fire area?
YES	NO	Can you communicate with everyone on the fire and with dispatch?
YES	NO	Escape routes and safety zones established? If you are using the black, is it completely burned with no re-burn potential?
YES	NO	Safety and standard fire orders being followed?
YES	NO	Have you reported the status of the fire to dispatch?
YES	NO	Will you control the fire before the next operational period?
YES	NO	Do you have a complete list of assigned and ordered resources?
YES	NO	If the fire will not be controlled before the next operational period or the size of the organization exceeds the IC’s capability to manage, have you informed dispatch?
YES	NO	Are you still comfortable managing this fire?

Entrapment Avoidance
Mitigation of Fire Orders and/or Situations that Shout Watch-Out is required
Fire exceeds 100 acres or it is difficult to observe fire behavior
Environmental conditions are above the 90th percentiles
Escape route is the fire line
Suppression actions becoming less effective
Other resources have turned down assignment
Reinforcements have been ordered
Current line is not anchored
There is not an alternate escape route

Spot Weather and Forecast Request
Request Information:

Incident / Name:
Location:
Lat/Long:
Top Elevation:
Bottom / Elevation:
Drainage:
Aspect:
Size:
Fuel Type:
Sheltering	Full	Partial	Unsheltered

Observations:

Wilderness Motorized Equipment Use Authorization Record
Date of Request: __ /__ /___ Wilderness Name: ____________
Authorized Time Span: Start Date: _______ Ending Date: ______
Type of Authorization:
Emergency, Fire_________________________________________
Emergency, Search and Rescue_____________________________
Administrative _____________________ (Minimum Tool Analysis Required Attach a copy)
Authorization: Approved________ Disapproved ________ _______________________________________ _______________ ________
Print Authorized Officials Name and Title Signature Date

Equipment Aurthorized	Number of Units	Number of Days	Unit
Helicopter			Landing
Helicopter			Sling Loads
Helicopter			Water Drops
Helicopter			Repellers
Chainsaws			Saws
Air Tankers			Retardant Drops
Air Tankers			Water Drops
Fixed Wing Aircraft			Smoke Jumpers
Fixed Wing Aircraft			Cargo Drops
Portable Pumps			Pumps
Other
Other

**PROTECT THE ORIGIN**
NAME___________________________
LICENSE #_______________________
ADDRESS__________________________________
CITY_______________________STATE__________
OTHER_____________________________________

TIME	MAJOR EVENTS

TIME	MAJOR EVENTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FIRE INFORM
FIRE NAME INC#________P#
SO#_________DIST#_________
POINT OF ORIGIN: TOWNSHIP_______ RANGE _______ SECTION
1/4 SEC.__________
LATITUDE _______________________ LONGITUDE_________________________
FIRE STARTED ON: FEDERAL LAND STATE LAND / PRIVATE
OTHER Acres:
DATE /TIME OF ORIGIN:
DATE/TIME OF DISCOVERY:
DETECTION METHOD: LOOKOUT PATROL PUBLIC
AERIAL OBSERVER GENERAL AVIATION
INFRARED DETECTION OTHER: _________________
STATISTICAL CAUSE: LIGHTNING EQUIPMENT
SMOKING CAMPFIRE RAILROAD
DEBRIS BURNING ARSON MISC
ESCAPE FIRE: YES NO
DATE/TIME OF INITIAL ACTION: ______________________
DATE/TIME OF CONTAIN: ________________
CONTROL: ______________
DATE/TIME FIRE DECLARED OUT:

FORCES USED TO CONTROL FIRE: (List total numbers used, 1 engine crew =3 FF)
JUMPERS__________HELITACK __________
ENGINE CREWS_________ FIRE FIGHTERS__________
TYPE 1 HAND CREWS__________TYPE 2 HAND CREWS ______
EQUIPMENT USED TO CONTROL FIRE: (List total numbers used, count tankers on load and return)
AIR TANKERS HELICOPTERS FED ENGINES COOPERATORS TENDERS DOZERS
VLAT________ TYPE 1_______ SEAT ______
TYPE 3_______ TYPE 2_______ TYPE 1______
TYPE 6_______ TYPE 3_______
SLOPE: ___________ ASPECT: ___________ ELEVATION: __________
FLAME LENGTH: __________
NFDRS FUEL MODEL:
V: GRASS W: GRASS/SHRUB X: BRUSH
Y: TIMBER Z: SLASH
COVER TYPE: DOUGLAS FIR LARCH/DOUGLAS FIR GRAND FIR/LARCH/DOUGLAS FIR
PONDEROSA LODGE POLE PONDEROSA/LARCH/DOUGLAS FIRE
WESTERN WHITE PINE SPRUCE CEDAR/HEMLOCK SUBALPINE DECIDUOUS
BRUSH GRASS/WEEDS GRASS/SAGE
SIZE DESCRIPTION: SEEDLING/SAPLING
POLE TIMBER MATURE (uncut)
CUT OVER (slash disposal complete) THINNING SLASH
CUT OVER (slash disposal incomplete)

After Action Review
DATE:
FIRE OVERVIEW:
Personnel / Equipment assigned:
Objectives and Action Plan:
Effective and Non-effective Performance:
Effective:
Non-Effective:
Problems / Barriers that were encountered and how they were handled (Non Standard Operating Procedures, Ineffective or Unsafe actions, WHAT not WHO):
Determine Lessons Learned and how to apply them in the future:

FTEM Report

Treatment Name, IF unknown contact ecologist.
Treatment ID:
Treatment and Wildfire Interaction / Details? / Circle one	Wildfire Started in treatment area / Wildfire spotted in treatment area / Wildfire burned through all acres treated / Wildfire burned through some of treatment / Treatment used for suppression actions / Other:
Treatment Acres Burned by Wildfire
Date/Time Wildfire Entered / Treatment:
Did the Fire Behavior Change as a / result of the treatment?	Yes / No / The fire did not enter the treatment
Did the treatment contribute to / Control and/or management of fire?	Yes / No
Was the treatment strategically / Located in order to facilitate control of fire?	Yes / No
Comments:

FTEM Report

How did the treatment contribute to the control of the fire? / Check all that apply	○ Able to do direct attact / ○ Used Treatment for burnout operations / ○ Fire Spread was arrested in the treatment / ○ Fire Spread was slowed in treatment (R.O.S.) / ○ Other—Details:
FL inside treatment? Circle one range	0-2ft 1-4ft 1-6ft 1-8ft 1-12ft 12ft and over
FL outside treatment? Circle on range	0-2ft 1-4ft 1-6ft 1-8ft 1-12ft 12ft and over
Inside Fuel Model	Inside Percentage of Fuel Model
Outside Fuel Model	Outside Percentage of Fuel Model
Dominate Fire Spread Inside (check all that apply) / ○ Active Crown Fire / ○ Passive Crown Fire (include group torching) / ○ Surface Fire / ○ Other—Details:	Dominate Fire Spread Outside (check all that apply) / ○ Active Crown Fire / ○ Passive Crown Fire (include group torching) / ○ Surface Fire / ○ Other—Details:

Model 1
Model 2
Model 3

Model 1%
Model 2%
Model 3%

Model 1
Model 2
Model 3

Model 1%
Model 2%
Model 3%

FTEM Report

Weather Conditions when Fire entered Treatment:
Fuel Moistures:
Treatment Acres Burned by Wildfire
Date/Time Wildfire Entered / Treatment:

Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Temp
RH
ERC
Obs Source
Notes

Measures/Estimated
Sample Type
1 hr
10 hr
100 hr
1000 hr
Live

Attach Map if Required

Perimeter in chains / 17ch =1ac, 24 = 2, 34 = 4, 38 = 5 / 45 = 7, 53 = 10, 65 = 15 / Staging ICP or Camp / Is located: Is located: / NOTES: / (note roads, creeks, trails, etc.)	SECTION OF MAP: (1 MILE BY 1 MILE) / TWN:______ RANG:_______SEC:_______ / LAT:____________ LONG:_____________

Logistics Help Page
Things to keep in mind
Place supply orders to dispatch by 1000 hrs to receive orders later that operational period
Place supply orders by 1600 hrs to receive order the next operational shift.
When ordering pump kit, consider ordering two just in case there is a problem with one
Hot meals, dinners for that shift must be ordered by 1000 hrs, meals for the next shift must be ordered by 1600 hrs.
Will you need a fuel truck?
When selecting a base camp/ staging area, consider using private land as last option. If that is the only option, have a land use agreement in place before occupancy.
Is base camp sufficient for the incoming resources and logistical support?
What do the resources need? Special type of equipment to consider?
One Day Order Sheet

Item	Number of units needing item	Conversion factor	Order amount / Qty/Unit
MRE’s	/people	Divide by 3	Cases
Water	/people	Divide by 5	5 gal cubies
AA Batteries	/radio	Divide by 2	Boxes
Breakfasts	/people	Add 2 to total	Breakfast
Lunches	/people	Add 2 to total	Lunches
Dinners	/people	Add 2 to total	Dinners
Porta-Potties	/people	Divide by 10	Porta– potties

Hand washing stations	/porta-potties	Divide by 2	Hand wash stations
Gatorade	/people	Divide by 12	Cases
Unleaded Fuel	/saw running hrs	Divide by 4	Gallons
Bar Oil	/gals unleaded	Divide by 2	Gallons
2 Cycle Mix	/gals unleaded	Multiply by 2.6 for 50:1 mix	ounces

TIME	UNIT LOG	DATE(S):
		OPERATIONAL PERIOD:

TIME	UNIT LOG	DATE(S):
		OPERATIONAL PERIOD:

BREIEFING CHECKLIST
Situation
Fire name, location, map orientation, other incidents in area
Terrain influences
Fuel type and conditions
Fire weather (previous, current, and expected)
Winds, RH, temperature, etc.
Fire behavior ( previous, current, and expected )
Time of day, alignment of slope and wind, etc.
Mission/ Execution
Command
Incident commander/ immediate supervisor
Leaders intent
Overall objectives/ strategy
Specific tactical assignments
Contingency plans
Medevac plan
Personnel, equipment, transport options, contingency plans
Communications
Communication plan
Tactical , command, air-to –ground frequencies
Cell phone numbers
Service/ Support
Other resources
Working adjacent and those available to order
Aviation operations
Logistics
Transportation
Supplies and equipment
Risk Management
Identify know hazards and risks
Identify control measures to mitigate hazards/ reduce risk
Identify trigger points for reevaluating operations
Questions or Concerns?

Fire Name / Fire Number	Incident / Commander	Duty / Officer	Fire Cause

Brief Explanation of Approval or Disapproval:

HUMAN CAUSED FIRE INFORMATION