Firefighter Health and Safety Practice

The primary difference in strategy when battling structure fires compared to wildland fires lies in the tactics employed. In structure fires, the typical approach involves direct attack and interior tactics, meaning firefighters usually enter the building to extinguish the flames and protect occupants. This strategy is often necessary due to the confined space, potential for rapid fire spread, and the presence of life safety concerns within the structure.

In contrast, wildland fires usually require different tactics due to the expansive, uncontrolled environment and the nature of the fuel. Firefighters often employ defensive strategies, creating fire lines or using backburning techniques to manage the fire's perimeter rather than deploying direct attack inside the fire's path. The distinctions between these strategies arise from the differences in environments, the types of fuel involved, and the goals of the firefighting efforts, which are fundamentally different in urban versus wilderness scenarios.