Comments on: What does it mean when they say a fire is 75% contained? https://habitablezone.com/2022/05/26/what-does-it-mean-when-they-say-a-fire-is-75-contained/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: podrock https://habitablezone.com/2022/05/26/what-does-it-mean-when-they-say-a-fire-is-75-contained/#comment-49906 podrock Thu, 26 May 2022 22:44:27 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=94637#comment-49906 It's about establishing the perimeter in a way where there is a reasonable (not 100%) probability that the fire is under control in that area. Very much like a military operation. The fire may be driving in one direction and the rear areas already burned are contained. Of course, the wind may shift, but the fire fighters believe it will not get out of control. Also, not everything in the containment area may have burned. Sadly, I have become all too familiar with <a href="https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ </a> If you click on a fire, it will provide all sorts of current information, including a map that shows containment and command / control points, divisions, etc. I am very impressed (and often thankful) about the amazing strategic, tactical, and logistic approach by fire fighters. And by the constantly updated cartography. They use thermal images from both planes and satellites. Plus ground reports. Their maps are very well done; I am always impressed. I'll have to look for it, but a while back I watched a video of the logistics of areal firefighting. With spotter planes, slurry bombers, helicopters, it can be quite the cluttered air space requiring great coordination. It’s about establishing the perimeter in a way where there is a reasonable (not 100%) probability that the fire is under control in that area. Very much like a military operation. The fire may be driving in one direction and the rear areas already burned are contained. Of course, the wind may shift, but the fire fighters believe it will not get out of control.

Also, not everything in the containment area may have burned.

Sadly, I have become all too familiar with https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

If you click on a fire, it will provide all sorts of current information, including a map that shows containment and command / control points, divisions, etc. I am very impressed (and often thankful) about the amazing strategic, tactical, and logistic approach by fire fighters. And by the constantly updated cartography. They use thermal images from both planes and satellites. Plus ground reports. Their maps are very well done; I am always impressed.

I’ll have to look for it, but a while back I watched a video of the logistics of areal firefighting. With spotter planes, slurry bombers, helicopters, it can be quite the cluttered air space requiring great coordination.

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