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2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461

The 2025 IRPG is now available. Major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG include:

  • Addition of nighttime fuel estimates for reference fuel moisture.
  • Updated In Your Fire Weather Forecast section with new materials that use clear text to describe the potential for lightning and impacts of mixing height. This coincides with the removal of the Haines Index and Lightning Activity Level (LAL) by the National Weather Service (NWS).
  • Added language to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) section outlining key considerations for UAS operations, considerations prior to requesting UAS, and aerial ignitions involving UAS.
  • The pages on chainsaw operations had the section name updated, and now includes “Indicators of Complexity” and “Chainsaw Operation Standards”.
  • Other changes throughout the IRGP were made to modernize language, update specifications for airtankers and water scoopers, and improve formatting.

Please see full summary of changes: 2025 Summary of Changes.

Ordering

  • All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache. Information on the ordering process can be found on the NFES Catalog. An IRPG only order form exists if you are not ordering other materials.

NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI)

  • The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically.
  • The 2025 GRI will be available hard copy from the Great Basin Cache in early summer 2025.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Fire Center

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) recognizes July 2, 2025, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2025 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG provides leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated interagency wildland fire operations nationwide.

References:

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal