What is the typical crew size for a burn operation involving heavy equipment?

• A. 1-2
• B. 3-6
• C. 7-10
• D. 11-15

Answer: (B)

Working with heavy equipment on a prescribed burn requires enough people to safely operate the machine, maintain control of the fireline, and monitor for hazards. A crew of about three to six people is typical because you usually need the equipment operator plus at least one helper to assist with line tasks, plus one or two people to manage ignition, hold points, and serve as a lookout or safety monitor. This size provides enough hands for control, communication, and safety without becoming unwieldy to manage. Smaller crews lack essential oversight and support for line and ignition tasks, while much larger crews are harder to coordinate and can slow down operations.