Wildland Firefighting Practice Exam

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Get ready for the Wildland Firefighting Exam. Study essential skills and knowledge with our interactive quizzes and in-depth resources. Prepare yourself to ace the exam and embark on an essential career in fire management!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

When a fire reaches a ridge top, what kind of airflow does it encounter from the other side?

Constant
Downslope
Crosswind
Upslope

The correct answer is: Upslope

When a fire reaches a ridge top, it typically encounters upslope airflow from the other side. This occurs because, as the heated air from the fire rises, it creates a low-pressure area that causes cooler, denser air to flow up the slope from the valley below. The dynamics of this airflow can be influenced by factors such as temperature, terrain, and the time of day, often leading to the strong upslope or "anabatic" winds during daylight hours. This upslope movement can carry the fire across the ridge, assisting in its spread over varied terrain. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for wildland firefighters as it impacts fire behavior and spread, allowing them to make informed decisions about firefighting strategies and safety precautions.