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Carcinogen Exposure Risk

Wildfires expose wildland firefighters (WLFFs) to many different types of exposure hazards and risks, including carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer). Common exposures experienced during suppression and prescribed fire operations include smoke, dust, and ash. Additional carcinogenic exposures in the wildland fire environment include diesel exhaust, crystalline silica through work activities performed in ash and soil, asbestos, and radionuclides in certain geographic areas, heavy metals, and sunlight. WLFFs can be exposed to these hazards through inhaling, ingesting, and absorbing through the skin or mucous membranes.

Image
Infographic of IARC Monographs Vol. 132: occupational exposure as a firefighter

 

 

In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that “occupational exposure” as a firefighter was classified as “carcinogenic to humans” based on “sufficient” evidence for cancer in humans. This evaluation considered exposure and health studies from structural and wildland firefighters. The magnitude and frequency of exposure to carcinogens in the wildland environment vary, and traditional exposure reduction methods may be difficult to implement. Current recommended mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to carcinogens include:

Reduce exposure to dermal hazards

  • Implement hygiene practices for yourself and your gear and equipment.
  • “Cold trail” only to the extent of what is needed to secure your area.
  • When possible, shower or use a “bath-in-a-bag” to remove residual soot/ash from the skin.
  • Wear clean clothing and when possible, wash your clothing, often. If unable to launder, exchange clothing when on incidents. Clean high-touch surfaces in vehicles and workplaces.
  • Protect your skin from sun exposure. Apply sunscreen to sun-exposed areas (following manufacturer’s instructions).

Reduce exposure to inhalation and ingestion hazards

  • Establish mop-up criteria that allow resources to secure their area based on fire behavior, fuels, and topography.
  • Rotate fire personnel in and out of areas with high unavoidable smoke exposure.
  • Use air resource advisors to monitor and address smoke concerns at fire camps.
  • Locate Incident Command Posts (ICPs) and remote camps where the least smoke impact is practicable.
  • When provided, use the ventilated sleeping trailers.

WLFFs and incident management personnel prioritize health and safety, however, it is important to note that not all mitigation strategies will be applicable in all settings. Understanding your risk and implementing mitigation options where and when possible, may reduce your overall exposure.

Discussion Question:

  • What are specific ways you can minimize your exposure in various work scenarios? Think through shifts when you experienced exposure to carcinogenic hazards and implemented strategies to reduce your risk.
Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid
References
NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)
International Agency for Research on Cancer (World Health Organization), Occupa…

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NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page