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Unfamiliar With Weather And Local Factors

 

Watch Out Situation #4:  Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.

4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior. Three firefighters examine weather instruments while standing in a wide open, grassy area. Large white clouds appear to grow in the distant sky.


Read about all 18 Watch Out Situations.

What kinds of questions would you ask of local experts?

Does the operational period plan or Incident Action Plan (IAP) give you adequate weather information? What kinds of weather forecasts are available? What other weather or local information do you look for in the plan?

Can you get information from resources that have been on the fire? What questions will you ask of the crew that you are replacing?

Is there any other way to obtain information? List common sources of information on weather and local factors. Examples include web-based Weather Activity Planner, Point Forecast Matrix, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Internet Briefing.

3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire. A firefighter looks at his watch, which reads 2 PM, while a fire actively grows in steep terrain and heavy timber.
4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known. A fire crew is walking through a meadow on a path lined with pink flagging. Behind them, a fire is growing in heavy timber.
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger. A firefighter works by a water pump in a creek. Two firefighters spray water onto flames. And another firefighter talks into a radio while observing all firefighters.

To Reduce Risks:

  • Standard Firefighting Order #3: Base all actions on current and expected fire behavior.
  • Standard Firefighting Order #4: Establish escape routes and safety zones.
  • Standard Firefighting Order #5: Post lookouts.
  • Discuss a fire where you relied on information from the local unit. For example, where your fire knowledge and experience were very different from how they did things—such as in the southeastern United States or Alaska.
  • Recognize and report visual indicators (clouds, weather observed, cold front passage, inversion breaking).

References:

Category
Weather - Fire Behavior

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee