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Week of Remembrance

Frequent Spot Fires Across the Line

 

Spot fires occur when embers land on the unburned side of a fireline. This Watch Out depicts an engine crew attempting to contain several spot fires which are increasing in size while the main fire is also growing.

16. Getting frequent spot fires across line. In tall, thick timber, a fire is actively burning on the left side of the road. On the right side, firefighters are spraying water and digging with tools on spot fires. Behind them, a green fire engine is driving on the road.

16. Getting frequent spot fires across line.

Read about all 18 Watch Out Situations.

This watch out situation clearly indicates how much potential a fire has for rapid, uncontrolled growth. Consider the following questions if you are getting spot fires across your line:

  • Can you handle increased spotting?
    List some ways you can keep ahead of spot fires (gridding the green, lookouts, etc.).
  • What is your Probability of Ignition (PIG)? Is it increasing or decreasing?
  • Do you have a plan for long-range spotting? In what fuel type and under what conditions is it likely? What planning would account for handling long-range spotting?
  • Is help available if necessary? What kinds of resources will you have in place, or order, to handle spot fires?
  • If fire behavior increases, is your position still defensible?
    Discuss what type of action you might take if a spot fire takes off.
  • Do you have more than one safety zone in case access to one is cut off?
    Describe how you might utilize multiple safety zones.
  • Do the primary lookouts have a good view of the situation?
    Discuss who might be acting as a lookout (crew member, air resources, supervisors, etc.) and how you will get accurate information from that person. Are you relying on an air attack that is busy with airtankers?
  • Where are you in the burning period? Talk about how your tactics for finding spot fires early in the day to later into the evening may vary. Review PIG and what it can tell you about spotting potential.
  • To reduce the risk, are you ready to retreat?
    Keep your guard up even if spotting has not occurred for a few hours. Review incidents where you have had frequent spot fires and share what you have learned about controlling them.

 

Category
Weather Fire Behavior
References
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118

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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

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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.

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002