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Fuels: Fuels References

Online Resources

Publications

Anderson, H. E., Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1982.

Andrews, Patricia L., BehavePlus Fire Modeling System, Version 5.0: Variables, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2009.

Bradshaw, Larry S., Deeming, John E., Burgan, Robert E., Cohen, Jack D., The 1978 National Fire-Danger Rating System: Technical Documentation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1984.

Burgan, Robert E., Concepts and Interpreted Examples in Advanced Fuel Modeling, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1987.

Keane, Robert E., Garner, Janice L., Schmidt, Kirsten M., Long, Donald G., Menakis, James P., Finney, Mark A., Development of Input Data Layers for the FARSITE Fire Growth Model for the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Complex, USA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1998.

Keane, R.E, Reinhardt, E.D., Scott, J., Gray, K., Reardon, J., Estimating Forest Canopy Bulk Density Using Six Indirect Methods, NRC Canada,  2005.

Keane, Robert E.; Mincemoyer, Scott A.; Schmidt, Kirsten M.; Long, Donald G.; Garner, Janice L., Mapping vegetation and fuels for fire management on the Gila National Forest Complex, New Mexico, CD-ROM, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2000.

Rothermel, R. C., A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1972.

Rothermel, R. C., How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-143. Ogden, UT:  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1983.

Scott, J.H. and Reinhardt, E.D., Estimating Canopy Fuels in Conifer Forests, Forest Management Today. 62(4), 2002.

Scott, Joe H.; Burgan, Robert E., Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel’s surface fire spread model, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2005.

Scott, Joe H., Nomographs for estimating surface fire behavior characteristics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2007.

Stratton, Richard D., Guidebook on LANDFIRE fuels data acquisition, critique, modification, maintenance, and model calibration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2009.

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Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog