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TCFP WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
INTERMEDIATE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025
- What is the primary objective during an initial attack on a wildland fire? A. Protect wildlife B. Conduct a prescribed burn C. Contain and control the fire as quickly as possible D. Wait for reinforcements The goal of initial attack is rapid containment and control to prevent spread and minimize damage.
- Which of the following is NOT a factor in the fire behavior triangle? A. Weather B. Fuel C. Topsoil D. Topography
Topsoil is not a factor. The fire behavior triangle includes fuel, weather, and topography.
- The most dangerous time for wildland fire activity during the day is typically: A. Early morning B. Late evening C. Mid-afternoon D. Midnight Mid-afternoon is when temperatures peak, humidity is lowest, and winds are strongest.
- What type of fire involves burning within the litter and duff layers below surface fuels? A. Surface fire B. Ground fire C. Crown fire D. Spot fire Ground fires burn below the surface and can be difficult to detect and suppress.
- What is a “spot fire”? A. A fire that burns in one small area B. A fire ignited outside the main fire area by wind-carried embers C. A prescribed fire D. A backfire lit by firefighters
A. Leadership, Control, Evacuation, Suppression B. Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, Safety Zones C. Location, Coordination, Exit plan, Suppression D. Ladders, Chainsaws, Equipment, Safety LCES is a safety system designed to protect firefighters during wildland operations. 10.What is the primary purpose of an anchor point? A. Staging area B. To prevent fire from flanking firefighters C. To access water D. To mark escape routes Anchor points help prevent fire from working around control lines and flanking crews. 11.What tool is commonly used for cutting small brush and digging firelines? A. Rake B. Pulaski C. Shovel D. Hose The Pulaski combines an axe and an adze, making it ideal for wildland firefighting. 12.What is the safest location to take refuge during a wildland fire?
A. Inside a vehicle B. Safety zone C. Near a tree D. Behind rocks Safety zones are pre-identified areas free of burnable vegetation, offering protection from heat and flame. 13.Which type of wind is caused by differences in terrain elevation? A. Cold front B. Jet stream C. Local terrain wind D. Surface wind Local terrain winds, such as up-slope and down-slope winds, are driven by temperature differences on uneven terrain. 14.When should a firefighter retreat from the fireline? A. When equipment fails B. When escape routes are compromised C. When other crews leave D. When shift ends Firefighters must retreat if escape routes or safety zones are no longer viable. 15.Which fire behavior indicates dangerous conditions and rapid spread? A. Creeping fire B. Spotting and crowning
Scratch lines are temporary firelines used until more permanent lines are constructed. 19.What is a “backfire”? A. A mistake in ignition B. A fire set to consume fuel ahead of the main fire C. Natural fire caused by lightning D. Controlled pile burn Backfires are intentional and strategic fires used to stop or slow a wildfire’s spread. 20.The three components of the wildland fire environment are: A. Water, air, smoke B. Fireline, suppression, mop-up C. Fuel, weather, topography D. Wind, equipment, safety Understanding fuel, weather, and topography is critical in predicting and controlling fire behavior. Questions 21– 40 21.What does the term "cold trailing" refer to? A. Using cold water on hot spots B. Watching for smoke C. Carefully inspecting and feeling for heat along a fireline D. Cutting fireline with a saw
Cold trailing involves checking the perimeter of a fire for heat using hands or tools. 22.What is the effect of low relative humidity on fire behavior? A. Decreases spread B. Increases fuel moisture C. Promotes fire ignition and spread D. Stops spotting Low humidity dries out fuels, increasing ignition potential and fire spread. 23.What is a helibase? A. Portable fuel tank B. Main location for helicopter operations C. First aid site D. Fireline headquarters The helibase is the central hub for managing and fueling helicopters during fire operations. 24.What does "One foot in the black" mean? A. Straddling fireline B. Standing in ash C. Keeping part of your body in a burned (safe) area while working near the fire edge D. Avoiding vegetation Staying partially in the black (already burned area) provides a safety buffer.
C. Tell another firefighter D. Keep quiet to avoid slowing operations Immediate reporting through proper channels ensures timely safety action. 29.What is an effective hand signal for aircraft in distress? A. Crossed arms B. Circle over head C. Waving both arms overhead D. Hands on hips Waving both arms signals distress or emergency. 30.What is the purpose of a fusee in wildland firefighting? A. Flare gun B. Hose connector C. Ignition device for firing operations D. Water suppressant A fusee is a hand-held ignition device used in prescribed and backfires. Questions 41– 60 31.What personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn on the fireline? A. Hard hat, gloves, boots B. Helmet, face shield, raincoat C. Helmet, Nomex clothing, gloves, eye protection, boots D. Fire shelter only
Wildland firefighters must wear full PPE including Nomex, eye protection, gloves, helmet, and boots. 32.A sudden wind shift during fire attack can lead to: A. Easier containment B. Fire entrapment and loss of control C. Quicker mop-up D. Ground cooling Wind shifts can rapidly change fire direction, increasing danger to personnel. 33.When working downhill on a fireline, always: A. Use chainsaws B. Light fires uphill C. Anchor at the top and maintain lookout D. Start at the bottom When constructing firelines downhill, top anchoring is essential to prevent flanking or overrun. 34.What is the minimum distance from flames for a safety zone? A. 1 foot per foot of flame height B. 4 times the flame height C. 10 feet D. 2 times the flame height Safety zones must be at least 4 times the flame height in radius. 35.What is the main hazard of snags?
39.What does “chain” refer to in wildland mapping? A. Fireline width B. 66 feet of measurement C. Fuel load D. Burned area A chain is a unit of measurement equal to 66 feet, used in wildland mapping and planning. 40.What is the most effective action if fire shelters are deployed? A. Stand and run B. Spray water C. Lie face down and stay inside until rescue D. Signal aircraft Once deployed, staying inside the fire shelter is the best protection from radiant heat. 41.Which of the following describes a “rollover” in wildland fire terms? A. Backfire that fails B. Flame movement over the top of a barrier or firefighter C. Sudden temperature drop D. Vehicle collision A rollover occurs when flame and heat suddenly move over a surface, such as terrain or a fireline, creating a serious entrapment hazard. 42.What is the primary weather concern when forecasting fire behavior?
A. Barometric pressure B. Wind speed and direction C. Cloud cover D. Rainfall from the previous month Wind is the most critical weather factor influencing fire intensity and spread direction. 43.During wildland operations, why should you avoid working uphill directly above a fire? A. It's more tiring B. Fire and heat rise, increasing entrapment risk C. Visibility is lower D. Hard to anchor firelines Heat and flame rise, making uphill positions extremely dangerous if fire activity increases. 44.What is a major indicator of increased fire intensity? A. Fire slowing down B. Torching or crowning behavior C. No smoke D. Cool ground Torched trees and crowning flames signal dangerous fire intensification. 45.How do you confirm that mop-up is complete? A. Absence of smoke B. Fuel is dry
Improperly mixed or leaking torches can cause accidental ignition or explosion. 49.Which of the following best describes the "green" in fire terminology? A. Burned area B. Unburned fuels adjacent to the fire C. Area with animals D. Staging zone "The green" refers to unburned vegetation or fuels that the fire may move into. 50.Which type of fuel loads ignite the fastest? A. Timber B. Fine fuels like grass and twigs C. Wet brush D. Underground roots Fine fuels dry and ignite quickly, often driving rapid fire spread. 51.What is the first action in the event of fire shelter deployment? A. Yell for help B. Look for escape C. Move to the best available safety zone and deploy shelter D. Sit still The shelter should be deployed in the best possible location—clear of heavy fuels and with minimal heat exposure. 52.What is the purpose of a firing boss? A. Drives fire engine B. Manages radio communications
C. Oversees ignition operations like backfiring or burnout D. Writes reports The firing boss is a qualified supervisor who manages controlled fire ignition during operations. 53.If assigned lookout duty, what tool is essential? A. Chainsaw B. Binoculars or visual aids C. Water pack D. GPS only Binoculars improve the lookout’s ability to detect fire behavior changes at a distance. 54.Which command system is standard in all U.S. wildland fire incidents? A. Unified Command B. Incident Command System (ICS) C. National Guard D. Local Fire Board ICS is the standardized, scalable system used in all fire and emergency response situations. 55.What happens during a temperature inversion? A. Cool air rises B. Warm air traps smoke and cool air near the surface C. Lightning increases D. Humidity drops
Escape routes must allow timely access to safety zones, considering speed and fire intensity. 59.What type of vegetation burns with the most volatility? A. Grass B. Hardwood C. Resin-filled brush like chaparral or pine D. Wet moss Oils and resins in certain vegetation types make them highly flammable and unpredictable. 60.During extended attack, who assumes operational control of the fire? A. Hotshot Crew B. Operations Section Chief C. Lookout D. First responder The Operations Section Chief leads fire suppression operations during extended attack situations. Questions 61– 80 61.Why are escape routes flagged with tape or signs? A. Decoration B. To ensure all firefighters can identify and reach them quickly C. Marked for bulldozers D. To show property lines
Flagging escape routes increases visibility and accessibility in emergencies. 62.A “burnout” differs from a “backfire” because: A. Backfires are larger B. Burnouts are natural C. Burnouts are smaller and used directly along control lines D. Backfires are unplanned Burnouts are used to remove fuel adjacent to a control line and are more precise. 63.What factor determines flame length in a wildland fire? A. Elevation B. Cloud type C. Fuel type, moisture, and wind D. Air pressure Flame length is influenced by the intensity of burning fuels and environmental conditions. 64.What’s the safest way to transport hand tools? A. Carry over shoulder B. Pointed end down and covered, parallel to the ground C. Throw in truck bed D. Swing them while walking Tools should be carried securely with blade ends down to prevent injury. 65.What should you do if your fire shelter tears during use?
