Which statement is an advantage of strip-heading fire?

• A. It is very slow
• B. It provides good smoke dispersal
• C. It cannot accommodate wind changes
• D. It has high spotting potential

Answer: (B)

Shaping the burn with a strip-heading pattern focuses on how smoke moves with the wind. By lighting narrow strips and allowing the fire to advance in the same direction as the wind, the heat creates a plume that rises and is carried away from the immediate area. This helps smoke mix into the atmosphere and disperse more broadly, reducing dense smoke hold near the burn and steering it toward areas where it won’t cause as much impact.

This approach is especially useful for meeting air-quality objectives, since you can predict and direct where the plume goes, improving visibility and reducing exposure for nearby roads, communities, and sensitive receptors. It’s not about slowing the burn down or being unable to adapt to changing winds; with strip widths and firing timing adjusted as winds shift, the pattern remains controllable and can maintain effective smoke dispersion. The idea that it would produce high spotting potential isn’t the goal or a characteristic advantage of this method.