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2026 WOR: Redmond Smokejumper Fatality – Ray Rubio

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

 

Today we honor Ray Rubio, an Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division and a federal wildland firefighter for 25 years. Ray spent 22 of those years as a Redmond Smokejumper. 

Ray Rubio, December 19, 2016

Incident Summary: 

The Redmond Smokejumper Base often sent firefighters to the Southern Area during the late fall to assist with prescribed fire and wildland fire response. 2016 had been a punishing wildfire season in the Southern Area, so the smokejumpers had spent their assignment fighting fires, not lighting prescribed fires. On November 23rd, Ray Rubio and a group of Redmond Smokejumpers spent their last night in Alabama before heading home to Oregon for Thanksgiving. Late that night, someone found Ray unconscious with a serious head injury from an apparent fall. An ambulance brought Ray to the hospital in Birmingham, AL, where he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure in his skull. A Care Team of smokejumper colleagues and others was established to support Ray’s family and to liaise between medical professionals and agency officials. Despite continuous care, Ray passed away in the hospital in Birmingham on December 19, 2016.

Discussion:

  1. Accidents, illnesses, and emergencies don’t just happen on the fireline. When a tragedy occurs during travel status, what is the process to initiate notifications and coordinate a response? What else is different? How can we prepare for such an event? 
  2. The prolonged injury and death of a friend or colleague causes immense emotional distress and takes a physical toll. The person injured is not the only one affected. Our coworkers and community will bend over backwards to care for us and our families in situations like these. How can we support each other in these difficult times? How can we balance caring for ourselves as well as others during these situations? How do we manage compassion fatigue and recognize it in others?
  3. In the event of a tragic accident like Ray’s, are your final wishes known? Do you have beneficiaries, and have they been made known legally? Is your emergency-notification documentation up to date, including multiple emergency contacts, significant medical history, and allergies?

References:

Redmond Smokejumper Fatality 2016
A Preparedness Guide for Wildland Firefighters and Their Families, PMS 600 | NWCG
USDA Forest Service – Casualty Assistance Program (CAP) – Includes information applicable beyond Forest Service
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) - Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
 

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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