2026 WOR: Fire Season 2016

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

2026 Week of Remembrance reflects on firefighters who died in the line of duty during the 2016 fire season. Week of Remembrance is a time for honoring through commemoration and learning from unintended outcomes. We begin this week every year in honor of the Granite 19 who perished together on this day in 2013.

On the Yarnell Hill Fire, members of Granite Mountain IHC made their way toward a designated safety zone. As they hiked through an area of unburned fuel, they were overtaken by rapid-moving fire driven by powerful outflow winds. The crew had minutes to improve a deployment site before the fire overran them in deployed shelters. All 19 perished.

Gone, but never forgotten. We will always remember.

Contingent of wildland firefighters hiking single file up a hill.

Fire Season – 2016

Nationally, 67,743 wildfires were reported (92% of the 10-year average), burning 5,509,995 acres (79% of the 10-year average), significantly down from the over 10 million acres of the previous year. Despite significantly fewer acres burned, the number of total fires was nearly unchanged from the 2015 season. The setup to this less active season was average or greater precipitation in much of the country, with the exception of the Southwest and south-central states. As the year progressed, areas of drought in the West intensified, but fire season slowed in much of the area from autumn precipitation. The Southern Area, by contrast, experienced 50% of all the significant fires in the country. The wildland fire community lost 15 firefighters during the 2016 season.

This Week of Remembrance, we honor these fallen firefighters:

Wildland Firefighter Foundation Memorial Ribbon

Shawna Lynn Jones (Feb 25, 2016 - CA)
Hit by rock during IA response.
Charles Tucker (Mar 30, 2016 – AL)
Vehicle collision leaving fire scene.
Steven Lapierre (April 27, 2016 – VT)
Heart attack during IA response.
Will P. Hawkins (July 10, 2016 - NV)
Vehicle accident during patrol.
Jacob M. O’Malley (July 10, 2016 - NV)
Vehicle accident during patrol.
Charles Waterbury (July 24, 2016 - NH)
Medical emergency during IA response.
Robert Reagan (July 26, 2016 - CA)
Dozer rollover on the Soberanes Fire.
Justin Beebe (Aug 13, 2016 – NV)
Hit by tree on the Strawberry Fire.

Ian Howard (Aug 21, 2016 – CA)
Medical emergency while in travel status.
Alan Schwartz (Aug 27, 2016 - MN)
Crew carrier rollover traveling to assignment.
James Shelifoe, Jr. (Aug 27, 2016 - MN)
Crew carrier rollover traveling to assignment.
Ryan Osler (Sept 21, 2016 - CA)
Water tender rollover traveling to fire.
Ted Collett (Oct 29, 2016 - KY)
Tree limb struck engine during suppression.
Ray Rubio (Nov 23, 2016 – AL)
Fatal fall while in travel status.
Darryl Vielle (Nov 30, 2016 – NC)
Medical emergency while in travel status.

Reflections:

Our personal experiences influence how we respond to events. This week can be a challenging time as we remember those lost in 2016, and because this act of reflection may raise our own memories of other tragedies. When we recall those we have lost as real people, not just historical figures, the emotional impact can be significant. Give each other grace and space to process, and do not be afraid to ask for help. Check in with your people. Remember, it is okay to not be okay.

Discussion:

Where were you and what were you doing when you heard the Granite Mountain 19 had perished?
What does the Week of Remembrance mean to you, and what are some ways you reflect?
How do the tragedies you have experienced affect you or continue to affect you? How do we support each other when the experience of traumatic events in our community is common?

References:

Annual Report 2016
Safety Gram 2016
Yarnell Hill Fire Entrapment Fatalities
All 2016 Incidents at Lessons Learned Center

Useful Resources

6MFS Suggestion Form

Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee

Follow NWCG on X and Facebook

Share on Social Media

Last Modified / Reviewed: 2026-06-18

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date: June 12, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date: June 12, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: June 11, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
Mixmaster (MXMS)*
Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)**

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date: May 28, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

6MFS

Topics Categories

2026 WOR: Fire Season 2016

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

Fire Season – 2016