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Week of Remembrance

2023 WOR: Stockyard Fire (Michigan) – July 1, 1988

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7

 

Stockyard Fire (Michigan) – July 1, 1988

Today’s topic is dedicated to all of Michigan's fallen firefighters.
May we never stop learning.

The Stockyard Fire entrapment occurred on the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan on the evening of July 1st, 1988. A Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB) was leading a team of three tractor plows constructing line along the west flank of the fire. The fire was backing to the west and the tractors were operating 30-50 feet from the fire edge. Conditions suddenly became calm, and the fire started to grow straight up. HEQB was leading the tractors toward a 2-track road when he noticed fire rapidly building. He directed the first two tractors to throttle up move out of the area and then went back to look for the third tractor. HEQB discovered the third tractor operator running and then falling. The HEQB went to the operator and extinguished the fire on his clothing and walked him out of the area. The tractor operator was taken to a burn center with second degree burns over 20% of his body.

What caused the change in fire behavior?

A DC-4 airtanker carrying 2,000 gallons of retardant flew along the right flank of the fire to alert the hand crew working there, circled, came back, and then dropped the retardant. The tanker flew at less than 400 feet above ground level and at approximately 140 miles per hour.

Later analysis by U.S. Forest Service researchers theorized that vortex turbulence developed that triggered extreme fire behavior. A sheet of turbulent air left in the wake of the aircraft rolled up into a strong pair of compact fast-spinning funnels of air. These two counter-rotating vortices likely stayed close together as they descended to ground level, in probably less than a minute, rolling apart as they hit the surface. This invisible sheet of rotating turbulent air left in the aircraft's wake caused the flanking fire to become a high wall of flames.

Discussion Points: Transition from normal to not normal

The report mentions the firefighters were operating how they “normally” would.

  • How can we prepare for ‘not normal’ events?
  • What are the limitations of basing all actions on current and expected fire behavior.

Resources

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” 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.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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 January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal