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2025 WOR: Frog Fire Entrapment – July 30, 2015

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

 

Incident Summary:

On the evening of July 30, 2015, 38-year-old Engine Captain, David “Dave” Ruhl, from the Black Hills National Forest, was entrapped and killed while scouting on foot during initial attack (IA) of the Frog Fire on the Modoc National Forest in Northeastern California. The lightning-caused fire was detected at 1732, and an hour after ignition began to rapidly spread through pine, juniper, brush, and grass fuels under the influence of outflow winds. It was around that time that the first of the IA resources arrived on scene and assumed control of the emerging incident.
Wildland firefighter waving to someone to come back to them.Dave Ruhl, in his role as an acting Battalion Chief, arrived on scene roughly 20 minutes later and assumed command as Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), with the original IC as his trainee. Dave began scouting the fire perimeter, alone and on foot. Around 1915, Dave was heard over the radio communicating with a helicopter, requesting information about values at risk in front of the fire. Dave’s voice was calm and professional.

The fire continued to grow and was now burning through the wet lines laid down by the responding engines. Over the radio, Dave and his trainee agreed to meet face-to-face to transition to a higher complexity Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) organization. Dave never arrived at this meeting, and subsequent attempts to contact him via phone and radio were unsuccessful. At 1930, a 90-degree wind shift triggered the disengagement of suppression resources on the fire. With Dave still unaccounted for, the disengagement from suppression freed up overhead to search for him. 

Sadly, Dave was not found until the following day at 0917. He had apparently been cut off and overrun by fire at about 1936 the previous evening.

Map of Event:

Sketch of frog fire, not to scale.

Discussion: 

  • How often do you scout alone? Do you prefer to scout alone?
  • Are there tools to help build situational awareness on initial or extended attack fires to help make scouting more efficient and safer?
  • How can you protect yourself when you are scouting alone?

     
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NWCG Latest Announcements

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

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