Wildland Firefighting Practice Exam

What is one of the disadvantages of the indirect method?

1. No control lines are needed

2. Fire is put out quickly

3. Firefighters are placed behind the fire

4. Additional acreage may be sacrificed

The correct answer is: Additional acreage may be sacrificed

Choosing the option related to additional acreage may be sacrificed highlights a significant disadvantage of the indirect firefighting method. This approach often involves creating control lines at a distance from the fire's edge and allowing the fire to burn toward those lines. While this method can effectively manage large fires by utilizing the natural boundaries and fuels that are already present in the landscape, it can also mean that areas of vegetation and wildlife may be burned before the fire can be contained. Using indirect methods can lead to increased acreage being consumed, as it relies on the natural behavior of the fire to assist in containment rather than immediately suppressing it. Therefore, the potential sacrifice of additional acreage is a critical consideration for incident commanders when deciding how to approach managing a wildfire. Keeping this in mind is essential for understanding the trade-offs involved in different firefighting strategies.