FIREFIGHT

Two principles prevail in fighting brush fires: deny flames new fuel and douse those already raging. Much like a military operation, an air attack is coordinated with forces on the ground. Tactics vary, but basically rely on helicopters and tankers dropping water and fire retardant, while hand crews cut brush and firefighters defend structures. Equipment used at the height of the Baker Canyon fire:

Firefighters: 1,261

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12 Bulldozers: Used for indirect attack, cutting line up a ridge and clearing safety zone every 300-400 feet.

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236 fire engines

Capacity: 150-500 gallons each

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Water tender: 10

Capacity: 3,500 gallons

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8 air tankers

Capacity: 2,500 gallons

Air tanker drop retardant which also contains fertilizer to help reestablish brush.

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6 helicopters

Capacity: 360 gallons

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Hand Crew

Twenty-two 15-member crews fought the fire using chain saws and shovels. Specialized tools--the Pulaski and McLeod--are used to cut brush. Other crews set backfires as containment measures.

Gearing Up for a Wildfire

Firefighters wear the following over their regular clothes. Layers of clothing reduce the risk of burns.

Helmet

Goggles

Jacket of fire-resistant Nomex material

Fire-resistant shroud

Insulated leather gloves

Backpack holds gear, personal items and flares to light backfires

Belt holds two canteens of water

Pack with emergency fire shelter tent

Leather chaps are worn by crew members using chain saws

Fire-resistant pants

Work boots

Tools of the Trade

The first crew members in use chain saws to clear the way for the rest of the ground crews, who use simple but effective tools.

Pulaski: Cuts with ax end and digs roots out with hoe or grub end

McLeod: Scraping tool used to rake on one side and hoe on the other

Shovel: For throwing dirt or scraping a trail

Researched by JULIE SHEER and APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times

Sources: Orange County Fire Authority, Times reports