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Valley Fever

 

United States map illustrating estimated areas with valley fever in the U.S.

Estimated Areas with Valley Fever in the United States (Centers for Disease Control).

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is an illness caused by fungal spores found in the soil in the southwestern United States and south-central Washington. Valley fever is contracted by breathing in spores from soil or airborne dust particles. Valley fever is typically not contagious (cannot spread person-to-person).

Many people exposed to Valley fever never have symptoms. Others may develop symptoms one to three weeks following exposure to contaminated soil or dust.

Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash on upper body or legs
  • Headache
  • Night sweats

Symptoms usually last for a few weeks to a few months, while severe cases may extend beyond this. Individuals who develop symptoms consistent with Valley fever and seek medical care may be asked by their healthcare providers to complete a medical and travel history, to provide information about their symptoms, and to undergo physical examinations and laboratory tests to accurately diagnose Valley fever. In some cases, Valley fever can cause severe illness. This is more common in individuals with certain risk factors. (Source: CDC – Valley Fever).

Wildland fire tasks associated with increased risk for exposure:

  • Being in close proximity to helicopter operations due to rotor wash.
  • Digging or prepping fireline, mopping up (suppression efforts), hiking or traveling in areas with loose soil (dozer line, handline).
  • Working around and operating heavy equipment.
  • Working in camps with high traffic and minimal dust control

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can you minimize your exposure to soil and dust?
    1. Consider dust control mop-up kits and other water-handling tools to reduce dust and soil from becoming airborne.
    2. Mop up to secure your area. Evaluate your section and determine what is necessary and what is unnecessary exposure to secure the fireline.
  2. If you suspect Valley fever and seek medical care, what information would you share with the provider?
Category
Firefighter Health First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal