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Week of Remembrance

2019 WOR Day 7: South Canyon 25 Years Ago Today

June 30-July 6, 2019

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness, and safety of wildland firefighters.

 

On July 2, 1994, seven miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, lightning ignited a Bureau of Land Management fire in piñon-pine and juniper on a ridge at the base of Storm King Mountain. The fire, paralleled by two deep canyons, was initially believed to have “little chance” to spread. The past two days, lightning had started 40 new fires on this BLM District. The entire general area, in a one-year drought, was experiencing low humidity and record-high temperatures. Over the next two days, the South Canyon Fire increased in size. Visible from Interstate 70 and nearby residential areas, the public became concerned. Some initial attack resources were assigned.

Four days later, on July 6, a dry cold front moved into the fire area. As winds and fire activity increased, the fire made several rapid runs within the existing burn—in dense, highly flammable Gambel oak. 35 firefighters survived either by escaping down a deep drainage or by seeking a safety area and deploying their fire shelters. Fourteen firefighters perished as they tried to outrun the flames.

They were just out doing normal work.

Remembering those that lost their liveson Storm King Mountain 25 years ago today.

Remembering those that lost their lives on Storm King Mountain 25 years ago today.

Today we mark the anniversary of this tragedy and honor through learning. Anniversaries of such events provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our mission and seek improvement.

The purpose of this week has been to honor all fallen firefighters by making a commitment that we will learn the lessons from those that walked the fireline before us, many of those lessons being learned the hard way and by those making the ultimate sacrifice.

New Resource

A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families provides candid information and resources to help wildland firefighters and their families understand risks of the job and plan for the unexpected. The guide will be useful for both new and experienced wildland firefighters, friends and family who support them, and agency employees who supports emergency response.

Action:

We encourage all fireline personnel, incident management, fire support staff, and program management to take a moment of remembrance, when/if appropriate, to reflect on, and discuss lessons we learned from this Week of Remembrance, and how we will apply those lessons.

 

Purple ribbon symbol

How can YOU Honor through Learning?

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the NWCG Leadership Committee, and many other field subject matter experts.

 

 

 

Category
Week of Remembrance
References
Honor the Fallen
WFSTAR Video: Released in honor of the 20th anniversary of the South Canyon Fir…
This Day in History: The South Canyon Fire, 1994, Colorado. A special edition f…
Link to the accident report, staff ride, and other South Canyon Fire information
Video Collection about the South Canyon Fire from the Wildland Fire Lessons Lea…
Video: The Tri-Data Study
25th Anniversary SOUTH CANYON FIRE commemorative website
A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families
Mental Health Subcommittee

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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