What type of attack is used for large wildland and ground fires that are too dangerous to approach?

An indirect attack is utilized for large wildland and ground fires that pose significant risks to firefighters due to their size, intensity, or unpredictability. This method is effective in situations where approaching the fire directly is too dangerous.

In an indirect attack, firefighters create fire lines some distance from the flames, using natural barriers such as roads, rivers, or previously burned areas, or by employing controlled burns to consume the fuel in advance of the main fire. This strategy allows firefighters to manage and reduce the fire's intensity from a safer location, guiding it towards these established lines where it can be more effectively contained.

Choosing this approach is crucial in protecting the safety of personnel, as it minimizes the risk of injuries or fatalities in hazardous conditions. By leveraging the fire's behavior and landscape features, an indirect attack can hinder the fire's spread while ensuring that firefighters are not put in direct danger.