Firefighter 1C Wildland Practice Exam

A quickly constructed, minimum width, temporary line where fuels have been removed to mineral soil is a:

1. fast line

2. scratch line

3. quick line

4. tool line

The correct answer is: scratch line

A scratch line is defined as a quickly constructed, minimum width, temporary fire line where the fuels, such as vegetation and organic material, have been removed down to the mineral soil. This type of line is typically created as a rapid response to a wildland fire, allowing firefighters to establish a barrier to control or slow the spread of the fire. The name "scratch" reflects the simplicity and speed of the construction process, as it's often done with hand tools or chainsaws to scrape away surface fuels. In the context of wildland firefighting, establishing a scratch line is crucial for immediate tactical actions. This tool provides a vital resource for containment while more permanent fire lines may be established subsequently. The other options do not accurately describe this specific type of line: a fast line suggests a quicker construction method, a quick line implies speed without the specific context of fire management, and a tool line is not a recognized term in standard wildfire suppression terminology. Thus, scratch line is the most appropriate choice.