Single Publication

At this stage in the fire, we are transitioning portions of the fire from active suppression and mop-up, to repair in the areas where there have been disturbances of the ground created by either heavy use by vehicles, hand tools or heavy equipment. It is important that we conduct these activities while we have the resources available to do the work.

Suppression repair consists of returning the disturbed areas, fire lines, staging areas, helipads etc., to as natural a state as is practicable. This is to minimize any future damages due to erosion. The activities that the firefighters perform include the use of hand tools to return hand constructed fire lines to a more natural state. Handlines are repaired by building water bars to direct water runoff from the exposed soil in a more suitable direction so as not to create gullies and pulling back the removed material onto the line. Cup trenches will be constructed in steep sections to direct water runoff. Heavy equipment is used for large disturbances by pulling back the removed natural vegetation over the dozer lines to protect the soil and make it easier for the ground to recover.

Photos attached below show a fire line constructed by a dozer and then the result of suppression repair work of a similar dozer line.