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Extended Attack

 

After the initial size-up of the fire and/or transfer of command from an initial attack Incident Commander (IC), task yourself with answering the following questions. Repeat this analysis whenever there is a change, or predicted change, in fire conditions.

  • Do you have a current fire weather forecast for the fire location?
  • Is the observed fire weather consistent with the forecast?
  • Have you established a new organizational structure and communicated it to the assigned resources and support functions associated with the fire?
  • Can you control the fire with the resources available (either on the incident or en route) under expected conditions?
  • Have you developed a plan to attack the fire?
    • Direct or indirect
    • Anchor points
    • Escape routes
    • Safety zones
    • Head or flank attack
    • Priority areas
  • Have you communicated the plan to all personnel assigned to the incident, including new arrivals?
  • Can you see the entire fire area? Do you have lookouts posted?
  • Can you communicate with everyone on the fire and with dispatch?
  • Are escape routes established?
    • If you are using the black, is it completely burned and without reburn potential?
  • Are safety guidelines and the Standard Firefighting Orders being followed and/or mitigated?
  • Will you contain the fire before the next operational period?
  • Have you reported the status of the fire to dispatch?
  • Do you have a complete list of resources that have been ordered?

 

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Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

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Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

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These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page 

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Incident Position Description 

NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 

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Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the 2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, is now available. Visit NWCG's website to learn about the major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG. The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically and will be available from Great Basin Cache by early summer 2025.

All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache (GBK). Information on the ordering process can be found in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Catalog.

References:

2025 IRPG Information 

NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 

NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES 

NWCG NFES Catalog - Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2 

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Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

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