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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?

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal