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Managing Vehicle Traffic in Smoke

Smoke has the potential to cause safety hazards to vehicle traffic in the vicinity of active fires, both wildland and prescribed fires, especially at night. The following traffic-related items should be considered and addressed in local unit planning documents prior to an incident/project.

  • Identification, location, and phone numbers of local units that have law enforcement and traffic control responsibilities in the smoke-impacted areas. Review any local agreements presently in place with those agencies.
  • Identification of important public roads that may be impacted by smoke.
  • Identification of adequate equipment and trained personnel to control traffic. This may include warning signs, communications equipment (preferably not using the active fire frequency), and vehicles equipped with warning or flashing lights.
  • Identification and phone numbers of radio and television stations that can issue traffic advisories for the smoke-impacted area.
  • Identification of alternative traffic routes as part of the incident/project traffic plan.
  • Identification of traffic routes subject to temperature inversions, as well as contributory factors such as fog and ice.
  • When potential smoke-related problems are identified:
    • Advise the Incident Commander, Burn Boss, or Agency Administrator that severe smoke exists.
    • Notify local law enforcement units and highway departments of a potential problem.
    • Implement preplanned actions such as posting smoke warning signs.
    • Ensure that proper equipment is ready and appropriate personnel are briefed on contingency plans and are available to control traffic.

References:

Category
Vehicles - Roads

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was 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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee