Firefighter 1C Wildland Practice Exam

Which of the following is used to extinguish most small fires with a light fuel load?

1. CAFS.

2. Aircraft.

3. Backpack fire extinguishers.

4. Backfires.

The correct answer is: Backpack fire extinguishers.

Backpack fire extinguishers are designed specifically for fighting small fires, particularly those involving light fuel loads, such as grass, brush, or small trees. These extinguishers are lightweight and portable, allowing firefighters to quickly access and deploy them in rugged areas where larger fire apparatus may not be able to reach. They typically contain a water-based solution or foam, making them effective for cooling down hot spots and dousing flames. Using backpack fire extinguishers provides significant advantages in wildland firefighting situations. They allow for targeted application and can be used for direct attack on small fires, thus preventing them from spreading. The design of these extinguishers also facilitates easy maneuvering in uneven terrain, which is often encountered in wildland areas. Other options, while useful in certain scenarios, do not directly address the need for extinguishing small fires with light fuel loads as effectively as backpack fire extinguishers do. For example, compressed air foam systems (CAFS) are effective but generally require more setup and are used for larger incidents. Aircraft can deliver water or retardant, but they are not suitable for directly extinguishing small fires due to their broad area of effect and operational constraints. Backfires are a fire control technique used to control larger wildfires