Fighting Fires in the Wilderness
One of the main difficulties firefighters face, in wildlands during droughts, is locating adequate water sources. Firefighters often must search for alternatives, such as lakes and rivers. However, drought conditions inevitably affect these sources, making it even more challenging to find suitable water supplies.
Worse, the disruption of aquatic and dependent ecosystems is a major concern while wildland firefighting in drought situations. Dropping water levels, increased water temperature and turbidity, and the associated disruption to food webs can lead to critical habitat loss, increasing stress, and starvation for many animals within the ecosystem.
Under these conditions, drawing large amounts of water from natural lakes and rivers for firefighting can further endanger vulnerable species.
While strategies that minimize ecosystem disturbance, such as utilizing alternative fire suppression methods or employing measures to reduce water consumption wherever possible, can help mitigate these concerns, establishing a reliable network of manmade fire retention ponds can significantly reduce pressure on already stressed ecosystems.
Fighting Fires in the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI)
In the WUI, firefighters are challenged by a complex combination of closely spaced residential and industrial structures intermixed with abundant fuel sources and a vulnerable population, all in close proximity with the rugged conditions of wildland forests. This mingling of developed and undeveloped environments promotes the rapid spread of fire from one to another.
Since many rural properties lack fire hydrants, rural firefighting vehicles typically use water tenders that can carry a hundred to several thousands of gallons of water to supply firefighters. However, even this water can be quickly depleted, forcing the vehicles to travel significant distances to refill.
Access to nearby streams, ponds, wells, swimming pools, and water troughs within the community provides some backup, but the volumes may be small, and access is frequently difficult. This presents a critical challenge since the speed of an initial attack on a fire can make the difference between getting the fire under control while it is still small or letting it become an unmanageable conflagration.
Delayed or reduced suppression efforts can be disastrous, but outcomes can improve dramatically in a community that maintains one or more manmade fire ponds.
Fire suppression ponds are manmade reservoirs, designed for easy access by fire engines and water tenders, to support ground-based firefighting, especially in the WUI. Fire suppression ponds can also be used by helicopters that collect water using enormous buckets and fly it directly to the fire site for aerial attacks.
These water-delivery methods help overcome the limitations posed by rugged wildlands terrain and inadequate infrastructure in the WUI, providing a more reliable and efficient way of delivering much-needed resources.
However, with frequent droughts, a rapidly growing population, and the associated ongoing water scarcity issues in Oregon, even these alternative measures face challenges. During times of drought, it can be difficult to maintain volumes that can carry through increasingly long and active fire seasons.
In the WUI, competing demands for water can leave an inadequate supply when a wildfire erupts. Oregon has introduced several initiatives to address these challenges and enhance wildland firefighting efforts. These measures include:
- Limiting the right to divert surface waters such as natural rivers, lakes, and streams for non-emergency use.
- Improving water storage capacity: Investing in infrastructure to expand water storage capacity, such as scouting and designating appropriate water sources within wildland areas with elevated fire risk. Construction of new fire ponds or expanding existing ones can bolster water resources during wildfire events while minimizing environmental risks.
- Collaborative efforts: Establishing partnerships and collaborations between government agencies, local communities, and firefighting organizations can facilitate effective water management and allocation during wildfires in the WUI.
- Increasing public awareness and educating people on the significance of water conservation and responsible water usage can decrease water demand and guarantee that it is available for firefighting needs.
Aerial Firefighting
Both natural and manmade fire retention ponds are crucial resources for aerial firefighting, but not all ponds are suitable. The ideal pond should be located in a clear area, away from trees, buildings, and power lines, to allow the helicopter to approach and depart safely. It should also be large enough to provide a clear target for the pilot to hit accurately.
The depth of water in a fire pond is also important. The pond should be deep enough for the helicopter to hover and drop its bucket without touching the bottom. The water should also be clean and debris-free to avoid damage to the bucket or helicopter.
Ground Based Firefighting
Fire retention ponds are crucial for ground-based firefighting equipment, as they provide a reliable and accessible water source for fire engines and water tenders. By quickly refilling their tanks and returning to fight the fire, these ponds can help firefighters save valuable time and resources.
Ideally, fire tankers can quickly fill their tanks with a 12-foot-long drafting hose by driving up to a developed fire retention pond. This method is the most efficient way to support the firefighting effort, as it minimizes the time the tanker is away from the fire. However, some undeveloped fire retention ponds are not located on hard, durable-surface roads that can accommodate the weight of fully loaded fire trucks or their need for generous turnaround space.
In these cases, firefighters may need to use portable pumps to draw water from ponds located on a soft surface or otherwise inaccessible by truck. While this option is less desirable, it is still an effective way to obtain water for firefighting.
Moreover, improved fire retention pond locations can also serve as a staging area for ground-based firefighting operations. By allowing firefighters to quickly access the equipment they need to fight a fire, these locations can help them respond more efficiently and effectively.
When it comes to fighting wildfires in rural areas, aerial firefighting equipment such as helicopters can be incredibly useful. They can quickly deliver large amounts of water to precise locations, especially if a good water source is nearby.
