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2025 WOR: De Soto Prescribed Fire Helicopter Accident – March 30, 2015

Letter to Leadership |  Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7  

 

Incident Summary:

On March 30, 2015, at approximately 1436, helicopter N50KH, a Type 3 rotor wing under contract with the USFS, experienced a catastrophic loss of engine power during prescribed fire aerial ignition Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) operations on the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi. The helicopter came to rest within the burn unit after having been in the air for an hour and having already completed the first PSD flight leg. Three personnel were onboard. Pilot Brandon Ricks (age 40) of Blanchard, OK and Firing Boss Steve Cobb (age 55) of Wiggins, MS were killed. The PSD Operator was seriously injured and walked through a flaming front to escape the crash site. He was transported by air to a regional hospital and made a full recovery. He continues to work in aviation today.

The investigation reported the helicopter experienced a “loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.” No mechanical failures were found, nor negligence on behalf of the personnel on the aircraft that day.

Image
Pilot Brandon Ricks
Pilot Brandon Ricks
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Firing Boss Steve Cobb
Firing Boss Steve Cobb

Discussion:

  • Sometimes helicopters fall out of the sky. When you are working with or around helicopters, what can you do that might improve rescue operations should they be required?
  • How might your Incident Within an Incident response planning be unique for helicopters?
  • “Is this flight necessary?” is a question we are trained to ask (IRPG aviation pages).
    • Think about your experience related to flights:
      • When and where does this question fit in the planning cycle?
      • Can it be asked more than once?
      • What happens when there is disagreement?
      • What other operations can we adapt this question to? (Is this ________ necessary?)
         

References:

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Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal