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Introduction
Scope of the Glossary
This glossary provides the wildland fire and incident management communities a single source document that covers wildland fire,
prescribed fire, fire use and incident management terminology commonly used by the NWCG and its subgroups.
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Objective of the Glossary
This glossary will help to improve communication and provide consistency in terminology usage throughout those organizations with a mission
of wildland fire or fire use management. It will also facilitate consistent use of glossary terms in publications, course development, and incident
management activities.
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Publication of the Glossary
For those who wish to access the most up-to-date, interactive version of this glossary, it is available via the Internet at the NWCG Web site (
http://www.nwcg.gov).
An electronic version of the glossary document is available for download [PDF] or on CD.
Requests for CDs should be sent to: BLM_FA_NWCG_Webmaster@blm.gov
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Maintenance of the Glossary
This glossary is intended to be a dynamic document, updated on a regular cycle. Those wishing to submit terminology for glossary inclusion or to recommend
updating or removing existing glossary definitions may do so by sending a glossary entry change request to:
NWCG Program Management Unit (MS 150)
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705
or by e-mailing the request to: BLM_FA_NWCG_Webmaster@blm.gov
Requests should be submitted using the NWCG Entry Change Request format [MS Word format or
PDF]. A sample Entry Change Request [PDF]
shows a correctly completed request.
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Preface
The Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology provides an extensive listing of terms and definitions
used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) community. This document contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of
wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG members and users.
The NWCG has approved this glossary for use by the NWCG and its subgroups. The NWCG has directed that all NWCG glossaries will be based upon the
Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology
for the purpose of maintaining definition consistency and clarity among documents.
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Reference Definitions
Some of the terms within this glossary will be followed by initials or will have references or comments at the end of the definition to help
broaden the recognition and understanding of the term. An explanation of those references is as follows:
- Also called:
- means there is another term that may sometimes be in use, but is not defined in this glossary.
- Acronym:
- A name made up of the initial letters of a multi-word term or official title. An acronym appears in parentheses following the term.
- See:
- means there is another, preferred term that should be used instead. In such a case only the preferred term is defined in this glossary.
- See Also:
- means there are one or more related terms that may also be of interest to the glossary user. The related terms are also defined in this glossary.
- Synonym:
- means the term is synonymous with another. The terms have the same, or essentially the same, definition and the terms are interchangeable in their use.
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Previous Editions
Previous editions: 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1996. A summary of changes [PDF] made in this edition is available.
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Copyright and Trademark Information
This NWCG information is in the public domain. Use of the information, including copying, is permitted. Use of NWCG information within another document
is permitted, if NWCG information is accurately cited to the NWCG.
The NWCG logo may not be used except on NWCG authorized information. "National Wildfire Coordinating Group", "NWCG", and the NWCG
logo are trademarks of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute
an endorsement by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.
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