This powerpoint presentation was the keynote address given at the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada-Wildland Fire Operations Research Group Sponsored Workshop on Heavy Equipment and Fireline Construction-The Past, Present and Future on March 15-16, 2005, in Hinton, Alberta. Fire behavior fundamentals, fire suppression principles, fireline breaching, fire suppression requirements vs. fire behavior, fire growth and production rates, safety issues, and thoughts on future directions are discussed.