What hazard does the cup trench specifically mitigate?

What hazard does the cup trench specifically mitigate?

• A. Rolling debris and spot fires below the crew
• B. Soil erosion
• C. Wind uplift
• D. Noise

Answer: (A)

Cup trenches are dug as a safety feature to stop debris and embers from rolling downhill toward the crew or the area below the work site. The concave, cup-like shape acts as a catch basin, trapping loose soil, burning debris, and ember-driven embers so they don’t reach and start spot fires below. This is their primary purpose. They aren’t primarily used to prevent soil erosion, address wind uplift, or reduce noise, which is why rolling debris and spot fires below is the best fit for what a cup trench mitigates.

Cup trenches are dug as a safety feature to stop debris and embers from rolling downhill toward the crew or the area below the work site. The concave, cup-like shape acts as a catch basin, trapping loose soil, burning debris, and ember-driven embers so they don’t reach and start spot fires below. This is their primary purpose. They aren’t primarily used to prevent soil erosion, address wind uplift, or reduce noise, which is why rolling debris and spot fires below is the best fit for what a cup trench mitigates.