In response, the United States Forest Service developed a set of standards for all wildland firefighters to follow when working a wildland fire. These standards are known as the 10 Fire Orders and they standardize how things are done on and near the fire line. All wildland firefighters should follow these standards for their safety and the safety of those they are working with.

F ight fire aggressively, but provide for safety first
I nitiate all action based on current and expected fire behavior
R ecognize current weather conditions and obtain forecasts
E nsure instructions are given and understood

O btain current information on fire status
R emain in communication with crew, supervisor and adjoining forces
D etermine safety zones and escape routes
E stablish lookouts in potentially hazardous situations
R etain control at all times
S tay alert, keep calm, think clearly, and act decisively

The wildland firefighting community has also developed 18 Watchout Situations.  Each of these 18 situations have been ignored at one time or another, resulting in fatalities or near-miss incidents.  The list aims to remind wildland firefighters to reanalyze the LCES (Lookout, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) System on a consistent basis, as well as to reevaluate their suppression strategies and tactics.  Every wildland firefighter should keep these 18 Watchout Situations on their mind when on or near the fireline.

1. Fire not scouted and sized up
2. In country not seen in daylight
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior
5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards
6. Instructions and assignments not clear
7. No communication link with crew members or supervisor
8. Constructing fireline without a safe anchor point
9. Building fireline downhill with fire below
10. Attempting frontal assault on fire
11. Unburned fuel between you and the fire
12. Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyone who can
13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below
14. Weather is getting hotter and drier
15. Wind increases and/or changes direction
16. Getting frequent spot fires across the line
17. Terrain and fuels make escape zones difficult
18. Taking a nap near the fireline

Besides following the 10 and 18, wildland firefighters should be aware of common denominators of fire behavior on tragedy fires.  As with the 10 and 18, these common behaviors should be remembered when on or near the fireline.

• Most incidents happen on smaller fires on isolated portions of larger fires
• Flare ups generally occur in deceptively light fuels, such as grass and brush
• Fires run uphill surprisingly fast in chimneys, gullies, an on steep slopes.
• Some suppression tools, such as helicopters or air tankers can adversely effect fire behavior.  The blasts of air from low-flying helicopters and air tankers have been known to cause flare-ups
• Most fires are innocent in appearance before unexpected shifts in wind direction and/or speed results in flare-up or extreme fire behavior.  In some cases, tragedies occur in the mop-up stage.