S-130 Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield S-130 facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which map feature is used by wildland firefighters to identify potential escape routes and safety zones based on terrain? → Contour lines
2. What is a 'sleeper' in the context of wildland fire mop-up? → A fire burning underground through roots, duff, or peat that re-surfaces after mop-up
3. What is the correct ICS protocol when a firefighter receives conflicting orders from two supervisors? → Clarify with their immediate supervisor per unity of command
4. What is the purpose of a grid search pattern during mop-up operations? → To systematically cover every part of the assigned mop-up area without missing hotspots
5. Which tool is used to cut fireline through thick brush? → Chainsaw
6. How often should S-130 compliance training be conducted? → At regular intervals as required by regulations
7. Which situation most directly triggers the need to implement an escape route? → When fire threatens to cut off the crew's path to the safety zone
8. What is the primary purpose of a lookout on a wildland fire? → To observe changing fire behavior and weather and warn crews of hazards
9. Which ICS position is responsible for coordinating ground support, food, communications equipment, and facilities? → Logistics Section Chief
10. What is the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) in the ICS Command Staff? → Interfacing with the media and gathering/releasing incident information
11. What should be done if a fire shelter is deployed? → Lie down face-first in the shelter
12. When an incident grows beyond the capacity of a single Operations Section, what organizational element may be activated? → Branches within the Operations Section
13. What is the primary hazard presented by a safety zone that contains standing dead trees (snags)? → Snags can ignite and fall on personnel sheltering in the zone
14. What does 'anchor point' refer to in tactics? → Starting point for fireline
15. Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure and is used to help forecast approaching weather systems? → Barometer
16. A safety zone located in a rocky outcrop on a ridgeline is considered most effective under which condition? → When it is free of fine fuels and offers rocky, non-combustible ground
17. A firefighter notices smoke coming from a stump 30 feet inside the black during mop-up. The correct action is to: → Fell the stump, dig out burning material, and extinguish with water or soil
18. What type of nozzle pattern is most effective for direct attack on the flaming front of a wildland fire? → Straight stream directed at the base of flames
19. What is 'torching' in wildland fire terminology? → An individual tree or small group of trees being engulfed in flames from bottom to top
20. When a S-130 professional faces pressure to compromise professional standards, the BEST response is to: → Document the pressure and uphold professional standards
21. A spot fire has ignited 200 yards ahead of the main fire front. The crew's best immediate action is to: → Attack the spot fire immediately before it grows and links up with the main fire
22. In S-130 practice, what is the best approach to quality improvement in weather observation? → Use data-driven methods with measurable outcomes
23. What is 'triangulation' as applied to compass navigation in the field? → Using bearings to two or more known landmarks to determine your unknown position
24. On a topographic map, V-shaped contour lines pointing downhill (away from the summit) indicate what terrain feature? → A spur or ridge
25. In S-130 certification, what is the primary purpose of regulatory compliance programs? → To ensure adherence to laws and standards
26. According to S-130 guidelines, how should hand tools be carried when moving through heavy timber? → At the side with cutting edge pointed away from the body and down
27. The 18 Watch Out Situations were developed to help firefighters recognize which type of conditions? → Situations that historically have led to firefighter fatalities or near-misses
28. Under the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, firefighters should 'fight fire aggressively but provide for': → Firefighter safety first
29. A firefighter notices the adze blade of a Pulaski has a mushroomed, peened edge. What is the appropriate action? → Tag the tool out of service and report it to a supervisor
30. Under ICS, what is a 'Division'? → A geographic subdivision of the incident