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Fuel Moisture: Fuel Moisture References

Online Resources

National Fuel Moisture Database

NDVI Greenness Resources

1-hr Fuel Moisture (SimpleFFMC – Nelson Model)

Publications

Agee, James K, Wright, Clinton S.  Williamson, Nathan, and Huff, Mark H.; Foliar Moisture Content of Pacific Northwest Vegetation and its Relation to Wildland Fire Behavior; Forest Ecology and Management, 2002.

Burgan, R.E., Estimating live fuel moisture for the 1978 National Fire Danger Rating System—1978, USDA Forest Service. Research Paper, 1979.

Burgan, R.E.; Hartford, R.A., Monitoring vegetation greenness with satellite data, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1993.

Burgan, Robert E.; Hartford, Roberta A.; Eidenshink, Jeffery C., Using NDVI to assess departure from average greenness and its relation to fire business, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1996.

Fosberg, M. A., and J. E. Deeming,  Derivation of the 1- and 10-hour timelag fuel moisture calculations for fire-danger rating, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1971.

Hirsch, Kelvin G., Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System: User’s Guide, Canadian Forest Service Special Report, 1996.

Jolly, William M., Nemani, R. and Running, S.W., A generalized, bioclimatic index to predict foliar phenology in response to climate, Global Change Biology 11(4), 2005.

Jolly, W. Matt; Hadlow, Ann M.; Huguet, Kathleen, De-coupling seasonal changes in water content and dry matter to predict live conifer foliar moisture content, International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2014.

Jolly, W. Matt, Hintz, J., Kropp, R., and Conrad, E.,  Physiological drivers of the live foliar moisture content ‘spring dip’ in Pinus resinosa and Pinus banksiana and their relationship to foliar flammability, International Conference on Forest Fire Research, 2014.

Jolly, W.M.,  Development of fine dead fuel moisture field references for the Southeastern United States: SimpleFFMC, USDA Forest Service RMRS Fire Sciences Laboratory, 2016.

Nelson R.M., Jr., Prediction of diurnal change in 10-h fuel stick moisture content, Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2000.

Norum, Rodney A.; Miller, Melanie, Measuring fuel moisture content in Alaska: standard methods and procedures, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1984.

Rothermel, Richard C., How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1983.

Schlobohm, P. and Brain, J., Gaining an Understanding of the National Fire Danger Rating System, PMS 932/NFES 2665, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002.

Schroeder, Mark J.,  Ignition probability, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1969.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200