Wildfire Knowledge Graph · Operations
An advantageous location from which to begin constructing fireline or a firing operation to reduce the chance of being outflanked.
In plain language
An advantageous location from which to begin constructing fireline or a firing operation to reduce the chance of being outflanked.
Why it matters
Anchor Point is useful because it separates one specific part of wildfire behaviour, exposure, operations or evidence from nearby concepts that can otherwise be mixed together.
What is an anchor point in wildland fire?
An anchor point is an advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from which firefighters begin constructing fireline.
The purpose is to reduce the chance that the fire can move around the end of the line and outflank crews while suppression work progresses.
What can serve as an anchor point?
Depending on the incident, an anchor point may be a road, river, rocky area, previously burned ground, secure section of control line or another location judged suitable for beginning line construction.
An anchor point is a tactical concept, not a guarantee of safety. Its suitability depends on current fire behavior, terrain, fuels, access and the overall suppression plan.
Official source: NWCG — Anchor Point.
Related: Control Line · Fireline · LCES.