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Terms and Definitions
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Energy Release Component (ERC)
The computed total heat released per unit area (British thermal units per square foot) within the fire front at the head of a moving fire.
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Engine
Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping, water and hose capacity.
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Engine Crew
Firefighters assigned to an engine. The Fireline Handbook defines the minimum crew makeup by engine type.
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Entrapment
A situation where personnel are unexpectedly caught in a fire behavior-related, life-threatening position where planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, inadequate or compromised. An entrapment may or may not include deployment of a fire shelter for its intended purpose. These situations may or may not result in injury. They include "near misses."
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Environmental Assessment (EA)
EAs were authorized by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. They are concise, analytical documents prepared with public participation that determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed for a particular project or action. If an EA determines an EIS is not needed, the EA becomes the document allowing agency compliance with NEPA requirements.
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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
EIS's were authorized by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Prepared with public participation, they assist decision makers by providing information, analysis and an array of action alternatives, allowing managers to see the probable effects of decisions on the environment. Generally, EIS's are written for large-scale actions or geographical areas.
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Equilibrium Moisture Content
Moisture content that a fuel particle will attain if exposed for an infinite period in an environment of specified constant temperature and humidity. When a fuel particle reaches equilibrium moisture content, net exchange of moisture between it and the environment is zero.
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Escape Route
A preplanned and understood route firefighters take to move to a safety zone or other low-risk area, such as an already burned area, previously constructed safety area, a meadow that won’t burn, natural rocky area that is large enough to take refuge without being burned. When escape routes deviate from a defined physical path, they should be clearly marked (flagged).
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Escaped Fire
A fire which has exceeded or is expected to exceed initial attack capabilities or prescription.
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Extended Attack Incident
A wildland fire that has not been contained or controlled by initial attack forces and for which more firefighting resources are arriving, en route, or being ordered by the initial attack incident commander.
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Extreme Fire Behavior
Extreme implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One of more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, presence of fire whirls strong convection column, prolific crowning and/or spotting. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously.
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