After the initial size-up of the fire and/or transfer of command from an initial attack Incident Commander (IC), task yourself with answering the following questions. Repeat this analysis whenever there is a change, or predicted change, in fire conditions.
- Do you have a current fire weather forecast for the fire location?
- Is the observed fire weather consistent with the forecast?
- Have you established a new organizational structure and communicated it to the assigned resources and support functions associated with the fire?
- Can you control the fire with the resources available (either on the incident or en route) under expected conditions?
- Have you developed a plan to attack the fire?
- Direct or indirect
- Anchor points
- Escape routes
- Safety zones
- Head or flank attack
- Priority areas
- Have you communicated the plan to all personnel assigned to the incident, including new arrivals?
- Can you see the entire fire area? Do you have lookouts posted?
- Can you communicate with everyone on the fire and with dispatch?
- Are escape routes established?
- If you are using the black, is it completely burned and without reburn potential?
- Are safety guidelines and the Standard Firefighting Orders being followed and/or mitigated?
- Will you contain the fire before the next operational period?
- Have you reported the status of the fire to dispatch?
- Do you have a complete list of resources that have been ordered?
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