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Week of Remembrance

Building Fireline Downhill With Fire Below

 

Building fireline downhill requires special attention to safety factors because of the potential for rapid uphill fire spread. This Watch Out depicts firefighters building fireline downhill without first mitigating the existing hazards.

9. Building fireline downhill with fire below. Three firefighters use tools to dig fireline down a steep slope covered in grass and brush.  Large flames are below them as the fire burns uphill.

9. Building fireline downhill with fire below. 

Read about all 18 Watch Out Situations.
 

As a rule, construct line moving uphill: Many firefighters have lost their lives attacking wildland fires from above. If there is no practical alternative to constructing line downhill, proceed only after weighing the following considerations:

  • Has the area been scouted for fire perimeter and behavior? Discuss what you need to know about the fire perimeter and fire behavior before building fireline downhill with fire below.
  • Will the wind direction be at your back? Will it stay at your back? Talk about how winds can change when you are on a slope (e.g., time of day, upslope and downslope breezes, etc.).
  • Is the area free of chimneys and gullies? How would you negotiate your line location if there were chimneys and gullies below where you want to work?
  • Are there adequate safety zones and escape routes? How do you maintain adequate safety zones and escape routes as you progress downhill?
  • Can you complete the burnout downhill as you work, providing an anchor point and safety zones? Discuss how you decide to carry the burnout with you or wait until you have tied into a fireline down below.
  • Have lookouts been posted? What should they be monitoring?
  • Have you established good communications? What are some of the dangers of poor communication with lookouts and crews working towards you? Describe the benefits of maintaining good communications.
  • Can the line be completed and burned out before the fire reaches it? Discuss how this would affect where you locate the line.
  • Do you have adequate resources to complete the assignment? What additional resources might you need to safely take on an assignment that includes building fireline downhill with fire below? How many resources do you want to engage?
  • Is aerial support available if needed? What benefits can aerial resources provide? What might be an added danger from aerial resources in this type of situation (common denominators)?
  • Has everyone been briefed on the assignment, fire behavior, weather, communications, escape routes and safety zones, hazards, and tactics? Discuss who might provide this briefing, where they would receive their information, and where and when it might occur.

 

Category
Operational Engagement
References
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002