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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Beyond Visual Line of Sight

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around is an integral method for gathering situational awareness when responding to fire assignments. The increased use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the public domain and on the fireline has significantly impacted the “Look Up” portion of the equation. It is critical to be aware of your surroundings on the ground and in the air.

Non-agency, non-cooperator UAS can operate under a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) meaning a UAS operator can operate their UAS/drone outside of their line of sight. This can create potential airspace conflicts with aircraft on an emerging or established wildland fire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a procedure to help mitigate conflicts between firefighting operations and BVLOS TFRs. To learn more about the BVLOS TFR, please review the Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin, No. IA IB 23-06, at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/iaib-2023-06.pdf.

Ask yourself: What is a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in UAS operations and how might it affect me?

  • Firefighting aircraft may not be able to enter into the TFR. How does this impact your:
    • Strategy?
    • Tactics?
    • Hazard assessments?
    • Emergency medical response?
  • There may be an authorized or unauthorized UAS or drone working directly above you, what do you need to be aware of?
  • Do you know when TFRs will be active and are you aware of their duration?
  • If your fire doesn’t require the use of aviation, but there is a BVLOS TFR in place and drone operators have the authority to work above you within their established TFR, do you have any concerns? If so, what are they?

Consider the following actions if you are an Incident Commander (IC) or IC trainee:

  • Communicate aviation delay information to all resources and base tactics on delayed aviation.
  • Brief all resources about UAS operations over personnel and equipment that may be in close proximity and /or low altitude legally.
  • Inform dispatch if an unknown UAS is in close proximity and/or low altitude during wildland fires.
  • Continue to employ Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around.
Category
Aviation

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal