SEAT Tactics

             As most of you know Hazleton and Mid-State are home to several Single Engine Air Tankers that coordinate with our firefighters to help battle wildfires in Pennsylvania. But did you know that SEATs have their own firefighting tactics?

They have both direct and indirect forms of an attack like firefighters do. 

When they attack directly their goal is to knock down flames with the retardant so that ground crews can build a fire line more safely and effectively. 

DIRECT ATTACK

For an indirect attack, their goal is to reinforce constructed fire lines with retardant.

INDIRECT ATTACK

Here is a photo that labels parts of a fire so that you can follow along with the descriptions of their tactics:

Tactics:

ANCHOR AND FLANK

When SEATs use the anchor and flank method, they establish an anchor point and begin working either one or both flanks of the fire with their retardant drops.

HOOK/PINCH

This tactic is often referred to as “turning the corner” or “pinching the head off.” These aerial drops progress from the flank around the head of the fire.

NARROW VEE

The narrow vee is aggressive and used to quickly catch the head of a small fire. If the SEATs use this additional hose lays or line construction MUST follow soon.

WIDE VEE

This tactic is attempted when the ground crews are delayed, they drop a little in front of the head of the fire to “slow it down” or “buy you time” until the crew gets there.

PRE-TREAT

This is not meant to catch the fire itself but to provide support by reinforcing a natural barrier to lower fire spot spread and assist with backfiring operations. Dropped on the green side of the fire or on the lee side of a ridge.

TANDEM AHEAD

With this, a SEAT will tie in where ground forces left off, rather than from the anchor point. The goal here is to lower the intensity of the fire so ground crews can work more safely and efficiently.

TANDEM BEHIND

Used to reinforce hastily created fire lines, most often it is being used when high values are being protected.

ANGLE TIE-IN

The SEAT will anchor from a barrier and work across the head would usually be followed with firing operations to the barrier. It provides a defendable tie to the anchor point.

SPOT FIRE

This is an aggressive tactic used to prevent a small spot fire from growing. The SEAT will put an “X” on the spot fire, usually dropping from two directions for better coverage. 

ANGLE OUT

The goal here is to pre-treat and contain growth and is used when you can’t get to the origin of the fire (steep or congested terrain).

COOLING CONVECTION

The goal is to cool down the fire by dropping into the head. The tanker will drop tight to the backside of the flames which allow for convection wind to draw the retardant into the flames.