LCES:
Lookouts
Communication
Escape Routes
Safety Zones
Original Document
By
Paul Gleason
Former Zig Zag Hotshot Superintendent
June 1991
LCES stands for lookout(s), communication(s), escape routes and safety zone(s). These are the same
items stressed in the FIRE ORDERS and "Watchout" Situations. I prefer to look at them from a
"systems" point of view, that is, as being interconnected and dependent on each other. It is not only
important to evaluate each one of these items individually but also together they must be evaluated as a
system. For example, the best safety zone is of no value if your escape route does not offer you timely
access when needed.
A key concept - the LCES system is identified to each firefighter prior to when it must be used. The
nature of wildland fire suppression dictates continuously evaluating and, when necessary,
re-establishing LCES as time and fire growth progress. I want to take a minute and briefly review
each component and its interconnection with the others.
Lookout(s) or scouts (roving lookouts) need to be in a position where both the objective hazard
and the firefighter (s) can be seen. Lookouts must be trained to observe the wildland fire environment
and to recognize and anticipate wildland fire behavior changes. Each situation determines the number of
lookouts that are needed. Because of terrain, cover and fire size one lookout is normally not sufficient.
The whole idea is when the objective hazard becomes a danger the lookout relays the information to the
firefighter so they can reposition to the safety zone. Actually, each firefighter has the authority to
warn others when they notice an objective hazard which becomes a threat to safety.
Communications(s) is the vehicle which delivers the message to the firefighters, alerting of the
approaching hazard. As is stated in current training, communications must be prompt and clear. Radios
are limited and at some point the warning is delivered by word of mouth. Although more difficult, it is
important to maintain promptness and clearness when communication is by word of mouth.
Incident intelligence (regarding wildland fire environment, fire behavior and suppression operations)
both to and from Incident Management (i.e. Command & General Staff) is of utmost importance. But I
don't view this type of communication a normal component of the LCES system. Entrapment occurs on
a fairly site-specific level. Incident intelligence is really used to alert of hazards (e.g.. "Watchout"
situations) or to select strategical operations. LCES is primarily a Division function: responsibility
should be here.
Escape Routes are the path the firefighter takes from their current locations, exposed to the danger, to an
area free from danger. Notice that escape routes is used instead of escape route(s). Unlike the other
components, there always must be more than one escape route available to the firefighter. Battlement
Creek 1976 is a good example of why another route is needed between the firefighter's location and a
safety zone.
Escape routes are probably the most elusive component of LCES. Their effectiveness changes
continuously. As the firefighter works along the fire perimeter, fatigue and spatial separation increases
the time required to reach the safety zone. The most common escape route (or part of an escape route) is
the fireline. On indirect or parallel fireline, situations become compounded. Unless safety zones have
been identified ahead, as well as behind, firefighters retreat may not be possible.
Safety Zone(s) are locations where the threatened firefighter may find refuge from the danger.
Unfortunately shelter deployment sites have been incorrectly called safety zones. Safety zones should be
conceptualized and planned as a location where no shelter is needed. This does not intend for the
firefighter to hesitate to deploy their shelter if needed, just if a shelter is deployed the location is not a
tree safety zone. Fireline intensity and safety zone topographic location determine safety zone
effectiveness.
Again, a key concept - the LCES system is identified prior to when it must be used. That is lookouts
must be posted with communications to each firefighter, and a minimum of two escape routes form the
firefighter's work location to a safety zone (not a shelter deployment site) every time the firefighter is
working around an objective hazard.
Safety and tactics should not be considered as separate entities. As with any task safety and technique
necessarily should be integrated. The LCES system should be automatic in any tactical operation where
an objective hazard is or could be present.
LCES is just a re-focusing on the essential elements of the FIRE ORDERS. The systems view
stresses the importance of the components working together. The LCES system is a result of analyzing
fatalities and near misses for over 20 years of active fireline suppression duties. I believe that all
firefighters should be given an interconnecting view of Lookout(s), Communications(s), Escape routes
and Safety zone(s)
Exhibit recognizes contributions of Paul Gleason, wildfire safety pioneer
Morgan Library Archives and Special Collections is featuring an
exhibit showcasing the contributions of Paul Gleason to the field of
wildland fire science through Jan. 31.
Gleason contributed significant training materials to the field,
especially on the topic of firefighter safety. After retiring from a
career as a wildland firefighter, leader, and strategist he became a
faculty member at Colorado State University in the Department of
Forestry and Natural Resources, where a scholarship has been established
in his name.
Karen Miranda Gleason donated her late husband’s papers, photographs
and documents detailing events such as the Crosier Mountain prescribed
fire west of Fort Collins, to Morgan Library. The collection also
features Gleason’s 1991 paper, “Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes,
Safety Zones,” commonly referred to as “LCES” or “the LCES concept,”
which has become the foundation of current wildland firefighter safety.
Pioneer in wildfire safety
Born in 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, to a homemaker from Seattle and a
Baptist minister from Tacoma, Washington, Gleason grew up in Southern
California. Becoming an accomplished rock climber in his teens, he
continued to enjoy climbing throughout his life. Correspondence between
Gleason and his father often refers to his love of the outdoors and
mountaineering.
Gleason’s career as a firefighter began in 1964 in the Angeles
National Forest as an 18-year-old member of the Dalton Hotshot Crew. He
served with that crew through 1970, interrupted only by a one-year tour
of duty with the U.S. Army. From 1971 to 1973, he attended Colorado
State University and earned a degree in mathematics.
In 1974, Gleason returned to work as a firefighter, serving as the
assistant foreman for a Regional Reinforcement Crew on the Okanogan
National Forest. In 1977, he became the assistant superintendent of the
ZigZag Hotshot Crew at Mount Hood National Forest, moving into the
position of superintendent two years later.
Student of Fire Exhibit
Archives and Special Collections
Morgan Library Room 202
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m
through Jan. 31, 2018
Free and open to the public
Gleason began work as a district fire management officer for the
Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest in 1992, eventually becoming the
forest fire ecologist. In 1999, he moved to the position of deputy fire
management officer for the Rocky Mountain Region of the National Park
Service. Mandatory retirement in 2001 sent Gleason into academia at age
55. He served as an adjunct professor for the Wildland Fire Science
program at Colorado State University for two years before losing his
battle with cancer in 2003.
Gleason received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his
career. He was heavily involved in three significant fires: the Loop
Fire in 1966, the Dude Fire in 1990, and the Cerro Grande Fire in 2000.
Student of Fire gear benefits the Gleason Scholarship Fund. Link
