Glossary of Terms

- M -

Micro-Remote Environmental Monitoring System (Micro-REMS):
Mobile weather monitoring station. A Micro-REMS usually accompanies an incident meteorologist and Air Transportable Modular Unit (ATMU) to an incident. The ATMU is a weather data collection and forecasting unit consisting of four modules, weighing a total of 282 pounds and occupying 27.1 cubic feet of space when transported. Used by incident meteorologists on an incident.

Mineral Soil:
Soil layers below the predominantly organic layers; soil with little combustible material.

Mobilization:
The process and procedures used by all organizations -- federal, state, and local -- for activating, assembling, and transporting all resources requested to respond to or support an incident.

Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS):
A manufactured unit consisting of five interconnecting tanks, a control pallet, and a nozzle pallet, with a capacity of 3,000 gallons, designed to be rapidly mounted inside an unmodified military C-130 (Hercules) cargo aircraft for use in dropping retardant on wildland fires.

Mop up:
To make a fire safe or reduce residual smoke after the fire has been contained, by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling snags, or moving logs and large rocks so they won't roll downhill. Mop-up work is usually (but not always) handled by hand crews.

Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC):
A generalized term describing the functions and activities of representatives of involved agencies and/or jurisdictions who make decisions regarding the prioritization of incidents and the sharing and use of critical resources. The MAC organization is not a part of the on-scene ICS and is not involved in developing incident strategy or tactics.

Mutual Aid Agreement:
Written agreement between agencies and/or jurisdictions in which they agree to assist one another upon request by furnishing personnel and equipment.