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2026 WOR: Mulholland Fire Struck by Rock Fatality – Shawna Lynn Jones

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

 

Shawna Lynn Jones, February 25, 2016

Today we honor Shawna Lynn Jones and seek to learn and improve from the circumstances that led to her passing.

Incident Summary: 

The Mulholland Fire was reported early in the morning on February 25, 2016. Located in steep terrain within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area of the National Park Service, the fire was roughly 12 acres and burning in chaparral with a heavy dead component due to drought. Initial response included approximately 200 personnel from county and federal units, including Shawna’s Los Angeles County Department of Corrections hand crew. In the early morning hours of February 25, a boulder was dislodged and rolled down the hill, striking Shawna’s head. Firefighters initiated CPR and Shawna was airlifted to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Shawna was 22 when she passed and had planned to continue a career in wildland fire upon completion of her sentence. Let us never forget her sacrifice. 

Discussion:

  • Crews responded to the Mulholland Fire in the early morning hours, during a time of year not normally associated with high fire activity. 
    • How does the timing and the seasonality of a fire response impact decision-making during initial attack?
  • On small fires, crews may find themselves working within a short distance of other resources, and may be uphill or downhill of those resources, with the potential for objects to roll downhill.
    • What precautions would your crew take when working near other resources on a steep slope?
  • Though the Mulholland Fire was not large, several factors increased its complexity.
    • What are some other factors beyond fire size that can contribute to complexity analyses?
    • How does the changing complexity of emerging incidents impact your actions and decision-making process as an Incident Commander, single resource boss, or crew member?

References:

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Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee