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Heat Disorders

Heat disorders are caused by prolonged exposure to hot temperatures or excessive physical activity, restricted fluid intake, or failure of the body's ability to regulate its temperature. The general term used for heat disorders is hyperthermia.

Heat becomes a problem when humidity, air temperature, and radiant heat combine with hard work to raise body temperature beyond safe limits. Sweat is your main defense. Everyone on the fireline must understand the importance of drinking water often.

There are several terms and types of heat related illnesses which can include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Heat cramps are the least serious form of hyperthermia. They are the first sign that the body is having difficulty with increased temperature. Heat cramps are a warning sign that more serious problems may soon develop.

  • Painful muscle spasm, often in the abdomen, back as well as extremities
  • Fatigue
  • Thirst 

Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps. Heat exhaustion results when the body produces more heat than it can dissipate. Inadequate fluid intake can be a major contributing factor. The body may become dehydrated, or its temperature regulation system may begin to fail. 

  • Weakness
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Wet, clammy skin
  • Dark yellow or orange urine

Prompt treatment of heat cramps and heat exhaustion is usually successful. Patients recover in a matter of hours or, at most, a day, or two. Heat Stroke poses more serious problems.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke symptoms

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Heat stroke is caused by failure of the body’s heat controls.  Whereas heat cramps and heat exhaustion may be treated locally, heat stroke patients should be medevac’d off the line immediately, by air if possible, as their condition may worsen suddenly.

The main characteristic is altered mental status or confusion.

  • Mental confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Elevated body temperature (sometimes higher than 105.8) 

The presence or absence of sweating is NOT a criterion for heat stroke.  50% of Heat Stroke victims are still sweating.

Brain damage and death may result if treatment is delayed.

The first steps in treating any form of hyperthermia include:

  • Place in cool shaded environment
  • Remove excess clothing and equipment
  • Cool with fanning and/or water dousing
  • Rehydrate orally with cool water only if conscious and can follow directions
    • Provide liquids which contain electrolytes, i.e. Gatorade, etc.
  • Transport to an emergency facility if recovery is not prompt.
  • Individual is not to go back to work that day.
  • If symptoms persist following 10-15 minutes of treatment, suspect heat stroke, and begin more aggressive cooling therapy and immediate transport to an emergency facility.

You can prevent the serious consequences of heat disorders by improving your level of fitness and becoming acclimated to the heat. Maintaining a high level of aerobic fitness is one of the best ways to protect against heat stress. The fit worker has a well-developed circulatory system and increased blood volume. Both are important to regulate body temperature. Fit workers start to sweat sooner, so they work with a lower heart rate and body temperature. They adjust to the heat twice as fast as the unfit worker.

References:

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1