US Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Technology and Development Program Banner with Logos.
Images from various aspects of the T&D Program.
HomeAbout T&DT&D PubsT&D NewsProgram AreasHelpContact Us
  T&D > T&D Pubs > Incident Sign Installation Guide T&D Publications Header
Table of Contents

Back | Next | Cover Page

Incident Sign Installation Guide

Approaching and Ending Fire Activity Zones

Application Notes

Incident management activities may occur throughout an incident zone over a long section of road.

Use the FIRE ACTIVITY AHEAD sign with a distance plaque indicating the length of the traffic control zone as the first sign in a series of incident management signs.

Use the END FIRE ACTIVITY sign to let road users know that they may resume normal driving. Place the END FIRE ACTIVITY sign on the opposite side of the road from the FIRE ACTIVITY AHEAD sign warning road users coming from the other direction.

If the incident activity occurs over more than 5 miles of road, install additional FIRE ACTIVITY AHEAD signs with the distance plaque at least every 5 miles.

Photo of a road with two signs. The top sign reads, "Fire Activity Ahead" the lower sign reads, "Next 5 Miles".

Graphic of a roadway with the appropriate placement for signs being used to approach and end fire activity zones.
Approaching and Ending Fire Activity Zones
*Obtain distance from table 1 (page 8).
(Click here for long description)

Initial Attack Engine or Crew Operations Along a Roadway

Application Notes

The FIRE ACTIVITY AHEAD sign may be omitted if the incident vehicle or activity is behind a barrier, more than 24 inches behind a curb, or more than 15 feet from the edge of any roadway.

For operations lasting less than 30 minutes, signs are not required if the incident vehicle uses activated high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights.

Hazard-warning signals on vehicles may be used to supplement—but not replace—high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights.

Photo of a roadway with a sign on a retractable sign stand. The sign in the photo reads, Fire Activity Ahead. In the distance there is an engine parked on the shoulder of the road.

Graphic of a roadway with two-way traffic. A truck is parked off the roadway with text next to the truck that reads, Engine or crew activity occuring near, but not in, the roadway. On either side of the vehicle, facing traffic, are signs that read, Fire Activity Ahead. To obtain the proper distance where the signs should be placed refer to table 1 on page 8.
Initial Attack Engine or Crew Operations Along a Roadway
*Obtain distance from table 1 (page 8).

Top

Back | Next | Cover Page