Wildfire Knowledge Graph · Operations
A suppression method in which control line is constructed approximately parallel to and close to the fire edge.
In plain language
A suppression method in which control line is constructed approximately parallel to and close to the fire edge.
Why it matters
Parallel Attack 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 parallel attack in wildland fire?
Parallel attack is a suppression method in which firefighters construct fireline approximately parallel to the fire edge and far enough away to work effectively. The line may cut across unburned fingers to shorten the route.
NWCG notes that the strip of unburned fuel between the fire edge and the new line is normally burned out as line construction progresses, though in some situations it may be allowed to burn out without assistance when that does not create undue delay or threaten the line.
Parallel attack is not the same as direct attack. Direct attack works at the fire edge; parallel attack deliberately builds line a short distance away from it.
NWCG — parallel attack · Direct vs Indirect Strategy → · Fireline vs Control Line →