Skip to main content

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Quick View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

Note: If the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster

Title Steward Status Definition
firesetter WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Person who starts a fire, usually deliberately and maliciously.

firesetting WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Starting a fire, usually deliberately and maliciously.

firing out IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The act of setting fire to unburned fuels located between the control line and main fire in burning out operations.

firing technique IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Any method or pattern of igniting a wildland area to consume the fuel in a prescribed pattern. E.g., heading or backing fire, spot fire, strip-head fire, and ring fire.

first aid IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical care can be obtained. First aid is generally provided by someone other than a physician. On incidents, most first aid is provided in the field or camp by medical unit personnel such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

first fuel ignited WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

The first combustible material ignited beyond the components of the ignition source itself.

first name DMC Data Management Committee Approved

The first name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID.

First Order Fire Effects FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The effects that concern the direct or immediate consequences of fire, such as biomass consumption, crown scorch, bole damage, and smoke production. First order effects form an important basis for predicting secondary effects such as tree regeneration, plant succession, and changes in site productivity, but these involve interaction with many other non-fire variables. 

first-degree burn RMC Risk Management Committee Approved

A burn which causes only pain, redness, and swelling.

first-in WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Firefighters initially attacking a fire, usually the first to arrive at the fire scene.

fitness level IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

A descriptor of a human resource's physical work capacity

fix GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Geographical position determined by visual reference to the surface, by reference to one or more radio navigational aids, by celestial plotting, or by any other navigational device.

fixed tank NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

A device mounted inside or directly underneath an aircraft which can contain water or retardant for dropping onto a fire.

flame (light) FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

Light given off by burning gasses during the combustion process.

flame (scientific) FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

A mass of gas undergoing rapid combustion, generally accompanied by evolution of sensible heat and incandescence.

flame angle FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

Angle between the flame at the leading edge of the fire front and the ground surface, expressed in degrees.

flame depth FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

The depth of the fire front.

flame height FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

The average maximum vertical extension of flames at the leading edge of the fire front. Occasional flashes that rise above the general level of flames are not considered. This distance is less than the flame length if flames are tilted due to wind or slope. 

flame length FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

The distance between the flame tip and the midpoint of the flame depth at the base of the flame (generally the ground surface), an indicator of fire intensity.

flame thrower ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Device for throwing a stream of flaming liquid, used to facilitate rapid ignition during burn out operations on a wildfire or during a prescribed fire operation.

flaming combustion phase FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Luminous oxidation of gases evolved from the rapid decomposition of fuel. This phase follows the pre-ignition phase and precedes the smoldering combustion phase, which has a much slower combustion rate. Water vapor, soot, and tar comprise the visible smoke. Relatively efficient combustion produces minimal soot and tar, resulting in white smoke; high moisture content also produces white smoke. 

flaming front FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

That zone of a moving fire where the combustion is primarily flaming. Behind this flaming zone combustion is primarily glowing or involves the burning out of larger fuels (greater than about 3 inches in diameter). Light fuels typically have a shallow flaming front, whereas heavy fuels have a deeper front.

flaming phase FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

That phase of a fire where the fuel is ignited and consumed by flaming combustion.

flammability FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee Approved

The relative ease with which fuels ignite and burn regardless of the quantity of the fuels. Preferred to "inflammability."

flammable WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Easily ignitable and capable of burning and producing flames.

flammable gas, oil, and other liquids conditions (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

An event dealing with the various situations that arise as a result of the presence of flammable gas and liquids such as gasoline, oil, etc.

flammable liquid WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

A liquid generally with a flash point below 140F (60C) and a vapor pressure that does not exceed 40 PSI at 100F (37.8C).

flank fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

A firing technique consisting of treating an area with lines of fire set into the wind which burn outward at right angles to the wind.

flanking fire suppression IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Attacking a fire by working along the flanks either simultaneously or successively from a less active or anchor point and endeavoring to connect two lines at the head.

flanks of a fire (fire spread) FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

The parts of a fire’s perimeter that are roughly parallel to the main direction of fire spread.

flanks of a fire (spread) WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee, FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

The parts of a fire's perimeter that are roughly parallel to the main direction of spread.

flapper ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Fire suppression tool, sometimes improvised, used in direct attack for smothering out flames along a fire edge; may consist merely of a green pine bough or wet sacking, or be a manufactured tool such as a flap of belting fabric fastened to a long handle.

flare-up IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee, FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

Any sudden acceleration in rate of spread or intensification of the fire. Unlike blowup, a flare-up is of relatively short duration and does not radically change existing control plans.

flash fuels FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

Highly combustible fine fuels such as grass, leaves, draped pine needles, fern, tree moss and some kinds of slash, which ignite readily and are consumed rapidly when dry.

flash point WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Lowest temperature at which the vapor of a combustible liquid can be made to ignite in air.

flashover (behavior) FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

Rapid combustion and/or explosion of unburned gases trapped at some distance from the main fire front. Usually occurs only in poorly ventilated topography.

flashover (stage of fire) FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

Stage of a fire at which all surfaces and objects within a space have been heated to their ignition temperature, and flame breaks out almost at once over the surface of all objects within the space.

flight crew member NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

An individual holding a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman’s Certificate and flight physical as a prerequisite to performance of the duties of the position during flight: e.g., Pilot, co-Pilot, flight engineer, or flight navigator.

flight following NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

The method and process through which an aircraft is tracked from departure point to destination. Flight following is the knowledge of the aircraft location and condition at regular intervals with a reasonable degree of certainty such that, in the event of mishap, those on board may be rescued. 

flight path (intended) NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

Specified information relating to the intended flight of an aircraft that is filed orally or in writing with an air traffic control facility.

flight path (tracking) NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

Track of an aircraft over the earth's surface.

flight time NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

The time from the moment the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of flight until the moment it comes to rest at the next point of landing.

flight visibility NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

Average forward horizontal distance from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects may be seen and identified by night.

floatable pump ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Small portable pump that floats in the water source.

flooding (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

An event dealing with response to a major flood.

flow conditioner ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Chemical powders that will, in very small quantities, tend to prevent other powders from caking and flocculating. Imparts free-flowing qualities to powder. Used with fire retardant chemicals.

fluid foam ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A low expansion foam type with some bubble structure and moderate drain time, exhibiting properties of both wet and dry foam types, which is used for extinguishment, protection, and mopup.

fly ash FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Particulate matter emitted by a fire and larger than 10 microns in diameter with a consequently short residence time in the atmosphere.

foam ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

The aerated solution created by forcing air into, or entraining air in water containing a foam concentrate by means of suitably designed equipment or by cascading it through the air at a high velocity. Foam reduces combustion by cooling, moistening and excluding oxygen. 

foam blanket ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A layer of foam which forms an insulating and reflective barrier to heat and is used for fuel protection, suppression, and mopup.

Displaying 901 - 950 of 2562

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Burn Protocols

Date: January 19, 2023
Contact: Emergency Medical Committee (EMC)

The NWCG Burn Protocols provide a Burn Injury Flow Chart, Emergency Department Burn Evaluation Flow Chart and Burn Injury Care Guidelines. These documents were developed for firefighters and fire managers in the field to better assess burn injuries and expediate the injured firefighter to the appropriate level of care.

References:

2023 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign

Date: January 11, 2023
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

The theme for the 2023 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign is “In Service Of Others”. The campaign is an opportunity for personnel at the local level - whether collectively or through self-development - to focus on leadership development activities relating to the national campaign theme. Local units may use any of the information found on the Wildland Fire Leadership Program website or in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal to craft the campaign to fit local needs.

References: