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NFDRS

NFDRS header graphic. Decorative.

What's New

National Weather Service (NWS) 7-day expansion of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) forecast

From March 2 to May 31, 2020, the NWS will issue experimental seven-day NFDRS forecasts. At the end of this period, a decision will be made whether or not to make the expanded product operational for NFDRS forecasting.

2021

2020

NFDRS2016 Evaluation

Following the development of a draft FDOP, The updated rollout timeline has been extended to allow for evaluation/comparison of the legacy NFDRS outputs with the NFDRS2016 outputs. The intent is to provide field units with the tools needed to evaluate FDOP decision thresholds as a function of NFDRS2016 outputs. Additional resources are available on this website to assist with the transition from the legacy system to ide NFDRS2016.

Pre-Workshop Webinar Components ​

Fire Danger Operating Plan Examples

NFDRS2016 Rollout Plan (Update)

On July 24, 2019, the NWCG Executive Board approved a proposal from the Fire Danger Subcommittee to update the initial NFDRS2016 Rollout Plan. All units will be fully transitioned to NFDRS2016 by January 2021.

At the September 17th 2014 NWCG Executive Board meeting, three updates to the United States National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) were approved. 

  1. Incorporate the Growing Season Index (GSI) to compute live fuel moistures;
  2. Incorporate the Nelson Model to compute fine dead fuel moisture; and
  3. Reduce the number of fuel models in the NFDRS. 

View a PowerPoint presentation narrated by the Fire Danger Subcommittee Chair Jon Wallace; developed to explain the case for change to the NFDRS.

Background

The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) has offered a consistent interagency decision-support framework since its inception in 1972. The System was first updated in 1978; and again in 1988. Although the original developers intended for periodic improvements to be incorporated as science and technology improved, the System has remained fundamentally unchanged the past 40 years. Today, there is even greater need for state-of-the-art tools to assist the wildland fire community sort through the daunting complexities and conflicting priorities which can confound decision-makers.

In 2013, research scientists from the USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) proposed updates to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Danger Subcommittee. In September 2014, the NWCG Executive Board issued Memorandum 14-018, approving a revision to the US National Fire Danger Rating System. Three significant changes were addressed:

  1. Incorporate the Growing Season Index (GSI) to compute live fuel moisture;
  2. Incorporate the Nelson Model to compute fine dead fuel moisture; and
  3. Reduce the number of fuel models in the NFDRS.

In September 2016, the NWCG Executive Board Issued Memorandum 16-019 providing an update of the transition to the 2016 version of NFDRS; otherwise known as NFDRS2016. The primary objective is to provide a stable NFDRS2016 system along with updates to the Weather Information Management System (WIMS) and FireFamilyPlus (FF+) to assure end-users are comfortable with the new model outputs and associated applications.

NFDRS2016 is a next-generation system which aligns with common interagency goals to use the best available science and technology to provide decision-makers with improved efficiencies, increased accuracy, and a much clearer understanding of the associated risks. Since interagency cooperation and collaboration (at every level) is essential for a successful transition to NFDRS2016, all agencies (State and Federal) with responsibility to make and implement risk-based wildfire management decisions are encouraged to participate in the roll-out process.

This web site has been designed to facilitate education regarding the new science and improve the utilization of NFDRS through the standard interagency applications of the system.

Forecast Fire Danger Class map of the United States

Map Source: https://www.wfas.net/images/
firedanger/fd_cls_f.png

Observed Fire Danger Class map of the United States

Map Source: https://www.wfas.net/images/
firedanger/fd_class.png.

 

The National Fire Danger Rating System is supported by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and monitored through their Fire Danger Sub Committee. All Federal, State and Local wildland fire management agencies are encouraged to work collaboratively with partners in their Dispatch Zones to create and adhere to a Fire Danger Operating Plan.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page