2020 Fire Refresher

By Dee Hudson

On March 7th Nachusa hosted a refresher day for the Nachusa and Middle Rock Conservation Partners fire crews. The day was sunny, and spring was in the air—a perfect day to light some prairie fires.
 
How do you become a fire crewmember?
The Nature Conservancy has three requirements for a potential fire crewmember:

1. Pass the pack test.
​This requires each person to carry a 24-pound pack for two miles. The trick is that the pack test must be completed in 30 minutes or less. Long-legged individuals have a bit of an advantage, while short-legged people really need to hustle.

The pack test was easy for these three guys. Here they return after their two-mile walk and they still have a smile on their faces.

2. Complete the S-130/S-190/I-100 online course work.
These courses are self-paced and give an introduction to the basics of wildland fire training. There are questions at the end of each video section, and they must be answered correctly in order to continue to the next section. Before beginning the online course, candidates must contact Nachusa or another agency that will supervise the fire training, as a sponsor is needed to complete the online course. After the online portion is complete, there is one day of hands-on training.​

3. Attend a fire refresher.
Nachusa’s refresher this year focused on learning to use the pumper equipment and hand tools during live fire exercises.

Everyone practiced with a rake to put out small embers. The fire was raked into the black (already burnt) area.

Here the trainees smother flames with only a flapper. The trained exercise leader stood nearby, giving great instruction and encouragement.

To smother the flames the correct flapper technique is a back and forth motion, similar to mopping a floor.

Everyone had an opportunity to practice spraying a larger spot fire with the pumper hose.

Now the team works together on a small fire, using the hand tools and the pumper spray. Teammates hold the hose off the ground to protect it from the heat. See the exercise leader in the back watching closely and lending a helping hand?

Another exercise leader has his team begin to create a black line.

2020 Fire Refresher participants

​For more information about prescribed fire training, visit the Illinois Prescribed Fire Council website. To learn more about Nachusa’s fire program, visit the Controlled Burns page on the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands website.