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COVID-19 and the Wildland Fire Environment

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health risk and can cause mild to severe illness, especially in older adults or individuals with underlying medical conditions. COVID-19 is generally thought to be spread from person-to-person in close contact and through exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected individual. Initial symptoms of COVID-19 can show up 2 to 14 days after exposure and often include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or loss of taste or smell.

Consider and discuss how the Common Denominators of Fire Behavior on Tragedy Fires parallels the new situation we face this year:

  • Relatively small fires or deceptively quiet areas of large fires. Cases of COVID-19 started as small outbreaks in December 2019. People infected in the United States were linked to travelers or those in close contact of known cases. The US didn’t feel the direct impacts immediately, potentially leading to under-preparedness or a sense of playing catch-up.

  • In relatively light fuels, such as grass, herbs, and light brush. COVID-19 can be spread by individuals who are asymptomatic (those not exhibiting symptoms) or pre-symptomatic (before showing symptoms) – allowing us to think that the rate of spread is slower, but many more people may be infected than is currently reported. One single carrier can rapidly create a serious health problem and create a virus hotspot without themselves suffering or even showing symptoms.

  • There is an unexpected shift in wind direction or wind speed. Increases in cases with no known contact with known cases or recent travel, indicating community spread (people infected with the virus, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected).

  • When fire responds to topographic conditions and runs uphill. Initial attack strategies used by public health officials did not contain the virus. As we move into an extended attack, states continue to re-evaluate strategies and tactics; such as hand hygiene, social distancing, shelter-in-place, and stay-at-home orders due to increased community spread.

  • Critical burn period between 1400 and 1700. What are the tasks, positions, activities, and places that you and your crew will have a heightened awareness this fire season? What will be the trigger points to re-evaluate the situation? Restrictions on our movement, changes in normal operations, and impacts to interactions for onboarding, training, mentoring, and team cohesion can be a challenge. Think purposely about how and when to engage.

The first objective on every fire is to protect firefighter and public safety. The emergence of COVID-19 has given that objective a whole new meaning.

Discuss how you may implement the following recommendations:

  1. Stay healthy as a unit—Can your crew or module isolate as a modular unit throughout the season? How will you take care of each other? How can you track signs and symptoms?
  2. Follow social distancing practices—What does this look like in your workplaces and communities you may travel to throughout the wildfire season?
  3. Personal hygiene is key to reducing exposure—How can you increase your personal hygiene and cleaning procedures throughout a work shift?

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group