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Week of Remembrance

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2016 WOR: Nutrition

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6, 2016

 

Humans are unique in the ability to expend energy for many hours.

Wildland Firefighters = 2800-6200 Calories per day

Energy is used in the body in 3 pathways: Immediate, Anaerobic, and Aerobic

Regardless of the pathway, it comes down to carbohydrates (sugar) and fats

words carbs and fats with arrows pointing to engergy, glucose pointing to a photo of a firefighter felling a pine tree with a chainsaw.

When performing long arduous activities, it is important to eat small amounts frequently throughout the work shift.  The wildland firefighter sack lunch was designed to be eaten in small amounts throughout the day to maintain a constant flow of carbs and fats into the body.

A firefighter should consume:

Food ItemLight work
(2,200 calories)		Arduous work
(4,400 calories)
Fruit4 servings (2 cups)12 servings (6 cups)
Vegetables4 to 5 servings
(2 to 2 ½  cups)		8 servings (4 cups)
Whole grains*6 servings12+ servings
Milk or yogurt1 to 2 cups5 cups
Meat, fish**6 ounces10 ounces

*Whole grains and enriched or whole-grain products.
**Meat, fish, or meat substitute.

  image of mountains with nutrition indications at different levels of the mountain.


The topics for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been drawn from the Human Performance Optimization course taught as a part of the USFS Apprentice Academy in cooperation with the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) and is rooted in the desire to prepare wildland fire personnel to optimally manage themselves and others at any given time. Review and resources have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, NIFC External Affairs, the Wildland Fire annual refresher group, and the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee.

References:

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Week of Remembrance

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Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

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Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

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Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

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References:

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NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

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Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Executive Secretary

NWCG is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the wildland fire community. Beginning in 1976 with an interagency agreement between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture, NWCG has grown to include additional member agencies and is recognized as the standard-setting leader in wildland fire operations.

To honor where we’ve been and highlight where we are going, the NWCG team has created a video showcasing our history and accomplishments. The video is now available on the NWCG website.

References:

NWCG 50 Year Anniversary Video