What should be the focus during the initial attack on a wildfire?

During the initial attack on a wildfire, the primary focus should be on quickly assessing the situation and deploying resources effectively. This is crucial because the initial moments of a wildfire can determine its potential growth and impact. Quickly assessing the fire’s behavior, size, intensity, and the surrounding conditions allows firefighters to make informed decisions about which tactics and strategies to implement.

An effective deployment of resources at this stage maximizes the chances of controlling the fire before it spreads beyond the initial point of ignition. This ensures that personnel can engage the fire while it is still manageable, which is essential for both firefighter safety and community protection. Rapid response is a fundamental principle in wildland firefighting, as early intervention can significantly decrease the fire's severity and the resources needed for suppression later on.

Focusing on gathering additional resources can delay action and allow the fire to spread, while creating a safety plan for evacuees and checking wind patterns are important but secondary to the immediate needs of assessing and engaging the fire. Those tasks can be executed in tandem or subsequently, but they do not take precedence over the need for immediate action based on situational awareness.