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TCFP Wildland Firefighter Intermediate
Practice Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
- What is the primary purpose of a safety zone in wildland firefighting? A. To rest and recover B. To store equipment C. To provide a safe area during fire entrapment D. To plan fireline construction
Safety zones are designated areas where firefighters can
survive without fire shelters during fire entrapments.
- Which weather element is most critical in predicting wildland fire behavior? A. Cloud cover B. Wind C. Barometric pressure D. Rainfall
Wind significantly influences fire spread, direction, and
intensity.
- What is the recommended safe distance from a flame front in a safety zone? A. 50 feet
B. 100 feet C. 4 times the flame height D. 2 times the flame height
Safety zones must be large enough to provide protection;
the rule of thumb is at least 4 times the flame height in
distance.
- Which tool is commonly used to dig firelines in wildland operations? A. Halligan bar B. Pulaski C. Pike pole D. Flathead axe
The Pulaski combines an axe and adze and is ideal for
cutting and scraping vegetation.
- What is the term for the unburned area between the fire and the control line? A. Flank B. Green C. Black D. Anchor
"Green" refers to unburned vegetation that can still fuel
the fire.
B. Less fire activity C. Increased wind speed and erratic fire behavior D. Reduced fire spread
Cold fronts can drastically change wind direction and
increase fire danger.
10.The most hazardous fuels for wildland fires are: A. Large logs B. Fine, dry fuels C. Wet fuels D. Subterranean roots
Fine fuels like grass and pine needles ignite and burn
rapidly, increasing fire intensity.
11.A major danger of indirect attack is: A. Limited visibility B. Fire can outflank or burn past the control line C. Exhaustion D. Smoke inhalation
Indirect attack involves creating control lines far from the
fire, risking fire overruns.
12.What is the black area in wildland firefighting? A. Burned-out homes B. Charred PPE C. Area already burned by the fire
D. Soot-covered trees
"Black" is the term for areas that are already burned and
no longer flammable.
13.When using a drip torch, what mixture ratio is typically used? A. 10:90 gas to diesel B. 50:50 gas to diesel C. 30:70 gas to diesel D. 90:10 gas to diesel
The 30:70 ratio (gasoline:diesel) offers safe and effective
ignition properties.
14.The purpose of an anchor point is to: A. Prevent ember attacks B. Prevent fire from burning around control lines C. Mark division breaks D. Create a safety zone
An anchor point provides a secure starting location for
control lines.
15.What type of topography poses the greatest risk for rapid fire spread? A. Flat terrain B. Steep slopes C. Valleys D. Ridges
Fire moves faster uphill due to preheating of fuels.
C. Improve the strength and completeness of the fireline D. Narrow the line width
Tightening a line makes it more secure and resistant to
breach.
20.Fire shelters are: A. Optional B. Last-resort life-saving devices C. For rest breaks D. Not necessary in safety zones
Fire shelters are used only when escape routes and safety
zones are no longer accessible.
21.What fuel type does not significantly influence initial fire spread? A. Grasses B. Shrubs C. Large-diameter logs D. Pine needles
Large fuels burn slowly and don't drive early fire spread.
22.What does a “Red Flag Warning” indicate? A. Heavy rainfall expected B. Conditions are ideal for wildfires C. Smoke advisory in effect D. Fire season is over
Red Flag Warnings are issued when weather conditions are
extremely conducive to fire ignition and spread.
23.What role does humidity play in wildland fire behavior? A. Increases fire intensity B. Higher humidity reduces fire activity C. Causes more spotting D. Promotes ignition
Humidity affects moisture content in fuels; higher levels
inhibit ignition.
24.When should a fireline be burned out? A. Only in light fuels B. When conditions allow for safe removal of unburned fuel inside control lines C. At night D. Immediately after constructing the line
Burning out removes potential fuel between the fire and
control line.
25.What is a flanking attack? A. An aerial drop B. Suppressing fire from the sides C. Attack from the rear D. Defensive action only
Mop-up ensures the fire doesn’t rekindle after initial
suppression.
29.A “hotshot” crew is: A. A medical team B. A highly trained wildland firefighting handcrew C. An air support unit D. A leadership team
Hotshot crews are elite, physically fit firefighters trained
for wildfire suppression.
30.What action should you take when a fire shelter deployment is imminent? A. Run uphill B. Deploy in the flattest area with least fuel C. Call for aerial support D. Wait for orders
Choosing a good deployment site increases your chances of
survival.
31.What is the most accurate method to predict fire behavior? A. Historical data B. Observing current weather, fuel, and topography C. Satellite images D. Fire reports from other agencies
Current fire behavior is primarily influenced by real-time
weather, fuel conditions, and terrain.
32.The term “one-hour fuels” refers to: A. Fuels that take one hour to burn B. Fine fuels that respond to humidity changes within one hour C. Fuels used during the first hour of suppression D. Fuel that burns for one hour
These fuels (like grass and pine needles) quickly absorb or
lose moisture, influencing fire behavior.
33.Which weather condition increases fire spread the most? A. High humidity B. Low humidity with strong winds C. Fog D. Rainfall
Low humidity dries fuels, and strong winds push flames,
accelerating fire spread.
34.What does a “watch out situation” mean? A. Fire is out B. Attack is underway C. Conditions that increase risk for firefighters D. Crew is on break
Heavy fuels produce high radiant heat that shelters cannot
withstand.
38.A "sling load" refers to: A. A medical kit B. Equipment transported by helicopter on an external line C. A drip torch load D. A crew pack
Sling loads move tools and supplies by air when ground
access is limited.
39.If a fire is moving downhill at night, what should you be aware of? A. Fire will extinguish itself B. Cold air drainage can push fire unpredictably downhill C. Fire only moves uphill D. Visibility will improve
Downslope nighttime fire spread can catch crews off guard
due to inversion winds.
40.The term “burnout” means: A. Crew fatigue B. Intentional firing of vegetation between fireline and fire C. Escaped fire D. Equipment failure
Burnout removes fuel between the control line and main
fire.
41.What does “smoke inversion” cause during a fire? A. Extinguishes the flames B. Traps smoke near the ground and limits visibility C. Clears the air D. Causes temperature drops
Smoke inversion traps smoke layers at low altitudes,
affecting visibility and behavior.
42.What is the main hazard of snags during wildfires? A. Provide shade B. They can fall unexpectedly and injure firefighters C. Attract wildlife D. Block roads
Dead or burned trees (snags) are unstable and pose serious
falling risks.
43.Fire behavior is usually most extreme during: A. Early morning B. Mid to late afternoon C. Late evening D. Midnight
Direct attack engages the fire at its active edge to suppress
it immediately.
47.A “spot weather forecast” is: A. A general regional outlook B. A weekly weather prediction C. A detailed forecast for a specific fire location D. Only used for aviation
Spot forecasts provide hyper-local weather updates for
wildland incidents.
48.If wind shifts and begins to push fire toward your position, what should be your immediate action? A. Wait for orders B. Move to a pre-identified escape route and safety zone C. Keep digging line D. Call for water
Always maintain awareness of escape routes and safety
zones; evacuate if fire threatens.
49.What is a "heel" of a wildfire? A. The burned area B. The fire’s head C. The point of origin or slowest moving part D. The deepest part of the smoke
The heel is where the fire started and usually moves
slowest, downwind or downslope.
50.What is the significance of blackline operations? A. Fueling aircraft B. Putting out burning structures C. Burning vegetation near control lines to strengthen them D. Cooling equipment
Blacklining ensures the area inside control lines is burned
under controlled conditions, removing fuel.
51.What is the appropriate PPE when working a wildland fire? A. Shorts and T-shirt B. Nomex clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, boots C. Raincoat and rubber boots D. Fire shelter only
Wildland PPE protects against heat, embers, and debris.
52.What is the primary function of a helispot? A. Fuel storage B. Base camp C. A landing and takeoff zone for helicopters D. Shelter site
Helispots are cleared, designated areas for rotary-wing
aircraft access.
B. Slow fire spread to allow ground crews time to act C. Mark location D. Remove trees
Retardants don’t put out fire but slow it down for better
control.
57.If visibility drops drastically on the fireline, what is your priority? A. Stand still B. Wait for orders C. Stay with your crew, communicate, and maintain LCES D. Head into the black
Low visibility increases entrapment risk—staying with your
crew and following safety protocols is vital.
58.What does a red flag atop a fire weather station indicate? A. Crew change B. Red Flag Warning in effect C. No activity D. Training underway
It signals critical fire weather conditions are present.
59.The “hot” part of a wildland fire is: A. The burned area B. The green C. The active flame front D. The mop-up zone
The flame front is where combustion is occurring and
presents the greatest danger.
60.What is the purpose of briefing before a wildland operation? A. Eat together B. Relax C. Ensure everyone understands the plan, hazards, and safety measures D. Assign radio frequencies
Briefings align the crew with objectives, risks, and
communication procedures.
