The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Sam Wu, U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program project manager in San Dimas, Calif., guides a team of technicians as they use a fire front simulator system at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. The testing provided indispensable data on how heat exposure affects both equipment and personnel, enabling the development and modification of equipment to ensure safety for U.S. Department of Defense and wildland firefighters. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program conducts test burns May 11, 2023, while using a fire front simulator system at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. During the simulated burn, the team ran tests on fire shelters, seen on the right side of the photo. All wildland firefighters carry fire shelters while on duty. In circumstances when they cannot escape advancing flames, firefighters are trained to ditch their gear, pull out their fire shelter, and climb inside as the flame front passes. The testing team assessed the temperatures around and inside the fire shelters, examining the amount of fire exposure that begins to break down the materials. This data can make all the difference in protecting firefighters on the line. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Technicians from the U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program extinguish a test burn at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. The crew used a fire front simulator system to replicate the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. The purpose of these tests was to gather essential data on how heat exposure impacts both equipment and personnel. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Technicians from the U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program work on the fire front simulator system they used to conduct controlled burns at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. The team came to Vandenberg to test equipment, train, and gather essential data on how heat exposure impacts both equipment and personnel. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Ralph Gonzales, U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program fire and aviation program manager, explains details about a fire shelter to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Avenida, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. The fire shelter is a fire-resistant tent-like product that all wildland firefighters carry while on duty. In circumstances when they cannot escape advancing flames, firefighters are trained to ditch their gear, pull out their fire shelter, and climb inside as the flame front passes. Firefighters from the base and the U.S. Forest Service conducted test burns on Vandenberg to simulate real-world fire conditions, helping the firefighters enhance their training. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Sam Wu, a project manager at the National Technology and Development Center in San Dimas, Calif., helps his crew extinguish a controlled fire at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. Technicians from the U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program conducted test burns using a fire front simulator system. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. The testing provided indispensable data on how heat exposure affects both equipment and personnel, enabling the development and modification of equipment to ensure the utmost safety for U.S. Department of Defense and wildland firefighters. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Technicians from the U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program conduct test burns using a fire front simulator system at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Sam Wu, U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program project manager in San Dimas, Calif., guides a team of technicians as they use a fire front simulator system at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases. The testing provided indispensable data on how heat exposure affects both equipment and personnel, enabling the development and modification of equipment to ensure safety for U.S. Department of Defense and wildland firefighters. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley)

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The U.S. Forest Service Conducts Test Burns at Vandenberg

Published June 15, 2023
By Senior Airman Tiarra Sibley
Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Technicians from the U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program conduct test burns using a fire front simulator system at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 11, 2023. This cutting-edge system is controlled through a computer, which opens and closes fuel lines and ignites the burners in the simulator. It replicates the various stages of a wildfire, including the approach, immersion, and post-radiation phases.