Skip to main content

COVID-19 and the Wildland Fire Environment

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health risk and can cause mild to severe illness, especially in older adults or individuals with underlying medical conditions. COVID-19 is generally thought to be spread from person-to-person in close contact and through exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected individual. Initial symptoms of COVID-19 can show up 2 to 14 days after exposure and often include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or loss of taste or smell.

Consider and discuss how the Common Denominators of Fire Behavior on Tragedy Fires parallels the new situation we face this year:

  • Relatively small fires or deceptively quiet areas of large fires. Cases of COVID-19 started as small outbreaks in December 2019. People infected in the United States were linked to travelers or those in close contact of known cases. The US didn’t feel the direct impacts immediately, potentially leading to under-preparedness or a sense of playing catch-up.
  • In relatively light fuels, such as grass, herbs, and light brush. COVID-19 can be spread by individuals who are asymptomatic (those not exhibiting symptoms) or pre-symptomatic (before showing symptoms) – allowing us to think that the rate of spread is slower, but many more people may be infected than is currently reported. One single carrier can rapidly create a serious health problem and create a virus hotspot without themselves suffering or even showing symptoms.
  • There is an unexpected shift in wind direction or wind speed. Increases in cases with no known contact with known cases or recent travel, indicating community spread (people infected with the virus, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected).
  • When fire responds to topographic conditions and runs uphill. Initial attack strategies used by public health officials did not contain the virus. As we move into an extended attack, states continue to re-evaluate strategies and tactics; such as hand hygiene, social distancing, shelter-in-place, and stay-at-home orders due to increased community spread.
  • Critical burn period between 1400 and 1700. What are the tasks, positions, activities, and places that you and your crew will have a heightened awareness this fire season? What will be the trigger points to re-evaluate the situation? Restrictions on our movement, changes in normal operations, and impacts to interactions for onboarding, training, mentoring, and team cohesion can be a challenge. Think purposely about how and when to engage.

The first objective on every fire is to protect firefighter and public safety. The emergence of COVID-19 has given that objective a whole new meaning.

Discuss how you may implement the following recommendations:

  1. Stay healthy as a unit—Can your crew or module isolate as a modular unit throughout the season? How will you take care of each other? How can you track signs and symptoms?
  2. Follow social distancing practices—What does this look like in your workplaces and communities you may travel to throughout the wildfire season?
  3. Personal hygiene is key to reducing exposure—How can you increase your personal hygiene and cleaning procedures throughout a work shift?

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources