mop up

Fires that are smaller than five acres, the policy states, should include a line cut by hand or with a bulldozer around the entire perimeter, and 100% mop-up where crews extinguish remaining hot spots and smoldering material within the fire’s control lines using water and foam.

Larger fires are required to have “wet mop-up extending a minimum of 100 feet from the fire perimeter,” according to the document.

Experts said the LAFD’s decision not to deploy thermal imaging drones during the mop-up was one of several critical missteps in the days ahead of the Palisades fire.

Millichamp and Scmack, who can locate possums with his nose, are the mop-up team.

“Heavy equipment crews are en route to assist with mop-up and the establishment of a bare-earth dozer lines around the perimeter, with full containment expected to require an extended operation into early evening.”