Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

What can the suppression cost of a major wildland fire reach?

1. Thousands of dollars

2. Hundreds of thousands of dollars

3. Millions of dollars

4. Billion of dollars

The correct answer is: Millions of dollars

The suppression cost of a major wildland fire can indeed reach millions of dollars due to the extensive resources required to combat such fires. This includes the deployment of firefighting crews, equipment, aircraft, and support services over potentially long periods of time. When considering the scale of these fires and their impact on the environment, personnel, and infrastructure, the costs rapidly accumulate. Factors contributing to these significant expenses include the remote nature of many wildland fires, the need for specialized firefighting techniques, and the logistics involved in transporting equipment and personnel to the fire site. The costs also encompass not just the immediate firefighting efforts but can extend to long-term rehabilitation of affected areas, which includes restoring ecosystems and managing post-fire hazards. All these elements highlight why the suppression costs for a major wildland fire can rise to millions of dollars.