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Dozers

Steward: Equipment Technology Committee

Intro paragraph

Dozer Typing Standards

Requirements Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Net HP Range* 240 and up 150 - 250 90 - 165 50 - 110
Minimum Base Weight** 60,000 lbs. 35,000 lbs. 24,000 lbs. 10,000 lbs.
*Manufacturer’s published rated net horsepower (HP). Horsepower rating taken at the flywheel with all the engine accessories installed not counting transmission losses or anything after the flywheel
**Manufacturer’s published base weight for dozer including equipped track width and blade configuration, equipment fluids, etc. If a published base weight is unavailable, a certified in-service weight shall be used
Base operational weight is only used for typing. Final in-service dozer weight will be higher and include additional accessories such as winch, grapple, forestry package, etc. Final in-service dozer weight must be used when calculating hauler capacity, bridge weight limits, etc.

Dozer Fireline Construction Rates (Single Pass) in Chains per Hour

Fire Behavior Fuel Model Up or Down Slope Slope Class 1
0-25%		 Slope Class 2
26-40%		 Slope Class 3
41-55%		 Slope Class 4
56-74%
Type 3 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 55-90 30-55 8-30 0-8
Down 90-110 90-110 20-90 0-20
3, 5, 8 Up 45-70 25-45 2-25 0-2
Down 70-80 65-80 0-65 0
4 Up 20-35 10-20 0-10 0
Down 35-40 25-40 0-25 0
6, 7, 9 Up 35-55 15-35 0-15 0
Down 55-60 40-60 0-40 0
11, 12 Up 15-25 7-15 0-7 0
Down 25-30 10-30 0-10 0
10, 13 Up 8-15 3-8 0-3 0
Down 10-15 5-10 0-5 0
Type 2 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 85-125 60-85 30-60 0-30
Down 125-145 130-145 75-130 0-75
And so on          

Note: Production rates are not precise but vary with conditions. The higher rate can be applied for situations involving:

  • Newer dozers (1975 and later)
  • Dozers in excellent operating condition
  • Most-qualified operators
  • Temperatures below 90 °F
  • Moist soil, few or no rocks
  • No lost time • Indirect fireline
  • Average fire behavior
  • Daylight operations
  • Less resistive vegetative types within each fire behavior fuel model

 

Table Title???

Dozer Horse Power Examples
Type 1 HEAVY: 200 Minimum Horse Power D-8, D-7, JD-950
Type 2 MEDIUM:  100 Minimum Horse Power D-5N, D-6N, JD-750
Type 3 LIGHT:  50 Minimum Horse Power JD-450, JD-550, D-3, D-4
Minimum standards for personnel with dozers will differ depending on fuel type, terrain, and resource configuration. Dozer strike teams may use team leader in place of additional personnel per dozer. Fuel requiring burnout and terrain that requires scouting demands two personnel per dozer.

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