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Proposed Wildfire Cause Data Standard

Intro of some sort.

See an overview - link to the spreadsheet

Graphic workflow here

General Cause Table

Existing NASF Cause Code Proposed Fire Cause Standard
1-Lightning Natural
2-Equipment Use Equipment/vehicles
3-Smoking Smoking
4-Campfire Recreation/cultural activities
5-Debris Burning Debris/open burning
6-Railroad Railroad
7-Arson Incendiary (unlawful)
8-Children Fire Play (minor)
9-Miscellaneous Miscellaneous/other
10-Fireworks Fireworks
11- Power line Power generation/transmission
12-Structure Structure
N/A Ammunition/explosives
N/A Unknown (Human)

The complete standard goes beyond this high level table to include:

  • Age Category: discriminates between children (0-12), adolescents (13-17), and adults (18+)
  • Prohibited Flag: allows the investigator to identify that an activity was unlawful or otherwise prohibited (burn ban, unpermitted, etc.) 
  • Specific Cause: more detailed cause information associated with a General Cause
    • Examples: burn barrel, explosive targets, passenger vehicle/RV
  • Ignition Source: the actual source of the spark resulting in a wildfire
    • Examples: hot slag, rock/hard surface strike
  • Activity/Group Category: further refines information for prevention programs
    • Examples: Private/Residential; Farming/Ranching; Logging

Stuff goes here about the general feedback

Cause Source:

We have identified  three cause sources.  The options are:

  • Unknown
  • Natural
  • Human.  

Please add any comments you would like regarding these three cause options.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Add comment box here

Age Category:

This information allows the investigator to identify the age of the person causing the fire.  The options are:

  • Children (0-12)
  • Adolescents (13-17)
  • Adults (18+)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these three age category options.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Add comment box here

Prohibited Flag:

This information allows the investigator to identify that an activity was unlawful or otherwise prohibited (burn ban, unpermitted, etc.). The options are:

  • Yes
  • No
  • Unknown

Please add any comments you would like regarding these three prohibited flag options.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Add comment box here

Activity/Group:

This information allows the investigator to identify the activity or group responsible for the fire.  The options are:

  • Farming/ranching
  • General construction
  • Hunting
  • Military / law enforcement
  • Mining / extraction
  • Private/residential
  • Recreation
  • Road construction
  • Transient
  • Suspected undocumented alien
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required

Please add any comments you would like regarding these activity/group options.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Add comment box here

General Cause:

As shown above, there are 14 general cause categories.  Each General cause also has specific causes and ignition sources.  - OK TO PUT THESE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER?

  1. Ammunition/Explosives
  2. Debris/Open Burning
  3. Equipment/Vehicles
  4. Fire Play (minor)
  5. Fireworks
  6. Incendiary (unlawful)
  7. Miscellaneous/Other
  8. Natural
  9. Power Generation/Transmission
  10. Railroad
  11. Recreation/Cultural Activities
  12. Smoking
  13. Structure
  14. Unknown (Human)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these 14 general cause categories.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Add comment box here

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Black powder/muzzle loading
  • Blasting
  • Exploding targets
  • Fixed targets/bullet fragment
  • Improvised explosive device (IED)
  • Tracer/incendiary bullets
  • Military ordnance
  • Flares/fusees
  • Vandalism
  • Other explosives
  • Other shooting (only for historical mapping)
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • All-lead ammunition
  • Copper component ammunition
  • High velocity ammunition
  • Starburst ammunition
  • Steel component ammunition
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Open trash burning
  • Burning personal items
  • Burn barrel
  • Yard debris (leaves/grass/residential)
  • Ditch/fence line burning
  • Hand pile/slash
  • Machine pile/slash
  • Escaped Prescribed Burn (written burn plan)
  • Field burning (crop/grazing/habitat)
  • Right-of-way clearing
  • Other land clearing (vegetation conversion)
  • Branding
  • Distress/signal fire
  • Pest control/deterrent/smoke out
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Abandoned/unattended
  • Improper disposal hot ashes/coals
  • Improper screening
  • Inadequate control line/clearing
  • Burning during poor conditions
  • Burning prohibited material
  • Defective incinerator
  • Failure to follow permit instruction
  • Inadequate mop up
  • Inadequate resources to control
  • Haystacks/hay bales
  • Mulch/chip/sawdust piles
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Electric motor/power tools/battery
  • Trailer (utility, camper, boat, etc.)
  • Aircraft
  • Chainsaw/brush saw/weed trimmer
  • Commercial transport vehicle
  • Heavy equipment & implements
  • OHV/ATV/Motorcycle
  • Passenger vehicle/motorized RV
  • Tractors/mowers/brush hogs
  • UAS
  • Watercraft
  • Welder/grinder/torch
  • Other small engine equipment
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Battery
  • Cable block
  • Cable friction
  • Chain/dragging object
  • Collision/impact
  • Electrical system/faulty wiring
  • Exhaust system (direct vegetation contact/particles)
  • Fuel/lubricant/fluids
  • Overheating/radiant
  • Powertrain (engine, transmission, drive shaft, suspension)
  • Refueling operation
  • Rock/hard surface strike
  • Spark arrestor failure
  • Sparks/metal fragments from cutting/welding
  • Tire/wheel failure (includes brakes/bearings)
  • Other spark/friction/static
  • Other mechanical failure
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Burning personal items
  • Mischief
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Lighter/matches
  • Glass refraction/magnifying glass
  • Incendiary device
  • Flint/friction
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Aerial fireworks
  • Ground fireworks
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
 No Ignition Sources for this cause

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Arson
  • Vandalism
  • Negligence (adult fire play)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Device
  • Hot set
  • N/A

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Model rocket/airplane
  • Electric fence
  • Illegal substance manufacture
  • Residential fireplace/woodstove
  • Spontaneous combustion
  • Structure spread to wildland
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Chimney sparks
  • Electrical system/faulty wiring
  • Glass refraction/magnification
  • Haystacks/hay bales
  • Improper disposal hot ashes/coals
  • Lighter/matches
  • Mulch/chip/sawdust piles
  • Oil rags
  • Rock/hard surface strike
  • Other spark/friction/static
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
Lighting
Volcano
Coal Seam
Other (remarks required)
Unknown (remarks required)		 No Ignition Sources for this cause

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Electrical transmission lines
  • Oil/gas/nuclear
  • Residential electrical systems
  • Solar
  • Wind turbine/windmills
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Animal contact
  • Faulty electrical/temporary wiring
  • Flaring/burn off
  • Human contact
  • Ruptured pipe or gas line
  • Transformer
  • Vegetation contact
  • Other infrastructure failure
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Maintenance (track/right-of-way)
  • Operations
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Brakes
  • Derailment
  • Dynamic grid failure
  • Exhaust
  • Rail grinding
  • Right-of-way
  • Track replacement
  • Thermite welding
  • Wheel bearing
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Barbeque/smoker (charcoal/wood)
  • Bonfire/party fire
  • Campfire (cooking/warming/light)
  • Ceremonial fire
  • Gas cooking/warming/lighting device
  • Luminary (aerial or ground)
  • Outdoor oven/fireplace/fire pit
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Abandoned/unattended
  • Accelerants
  • Burning prohibited material
  • Defective incinerator
  • Failure to extinguish
  • Failure to follow permit instruction
  • Improper disposal hot ashes/coals
  • Improper screening
  • Inadequate clearance
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Other (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Cigar/cigarette/pipe
  • e-Cigs
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)
  • Battery
  • Discarded smoking material
  • Lighter/matches
  • Other (remarks required)
  • Unknown (remarks required)

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
Structure spread to wildland No Ignition Sources for this cause

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Intro text goes here. Discussion about Specific Cause and Ignition Source

Specific Cause Ignition Source
  • Undetermined/Investigated
  • Under Investigation
  • Not Investigated
  • Cause and origin not identified
 No Ignition Sources for this cause

Please add any comments you would like regarding these specific causes and these ignition sources.

Include information such as:

  • Do you agree?
  • Are there any that should not be on the list?
  • Are there any we should include that we have missed?

Comment form: Specific Cause

Cause Comment form: Ignition Source

Info at the bottom with name and contact info - both optional. Ask if want to be contacted, then name is required.

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Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
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References:

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Questions? 
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References:

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Questions? 
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Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

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