What is a common risk for crews when making an indirect attack?

When crews are making an indirect attack on a wildfire, one of the main risks they face is the potential of being trapped by the fire. An indirect attack involves establishing barriers between the fire and the structures or areas being protected, typically by utilizing natural firebreaks or by creating control lines at a distance from the fire.

While this method can be effective, it carries inherent risks due to the unpredictable behavior of wildfires. If conditions change rapidly, such as shifts in wind direction, the fire can quickly advance towards the crew, creating a situation where they find themselves in a position where escape routes are cut off. This makes situational awareness and ongoing risk assessment critical during indirect attacks.

In contrast, burnout refers more to the process of intentionally setting controlled fires to eliminate fuel between a control line and the main fire, high winds can affect visibility and fire behavior but are not as directly tied to the risk of entrapment. Working in darkness poses challenges but does not specifically correlate to the unique hazards of making an indirect attack. Overall, the most pressing and immediate concern when executing this strategy is the risk of being trapped by the advancing fire.