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Week of Remembrance

2023 WOR: Point Fire (Idaho) – July 28, 1995

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7

 

Point Fire (Idaho) – July 28, 1995

Today’s topic is dedicated to all fallen firefighters.
May we never stop learning.

 

On July 28, 1995, at 6:29 p.m., a fire was reported approximately 16 miles southwest of Boise. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Kuna Rural Fire District (RFD) resources were dispatched to the fire. As they arrived on scene, the fire was 60 to 65 acres, actively burning in brush and grass with moderate rates of spread. The BLM Incident Commander (IC) instructed the BLM engines to split up and directly attack the flanks with Kuna RFD engines 620 and 622 behind them. The fire spread had been stopped at 120 acres.

 

At 8:22 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning predicting gusts of up to 50 mph from a thunderstorm.

Kuna 620 and 622 mopped up along the north flank until 622 ran out of water. While Kuna 622 was en route to refill, Kuna 620 contacted them with a report that their vehicle was overheating. Kuna 620 turned north on a two-track road, driving cross-country through unburned heavy sagebrush. At this point, Kuna 620 became disabled.

At about 8:46 p.m., the fire escaped the northern flank due to strong southerly outflow winds. Several fire personnel immediately drove north to assess fire behavior. They see a stationary engine in the path of the oncoming flame front. They did not know whether the engine was occupied.

Never Forgotten

  • Bill Buttram (31)
  • Josh Oliver (18)

At, 8:49 p.m., Kuna 620 contacted the Kuna Commander on a local non-federal frequency and reported, “We are on the north line. We have fire coming hard, and this thing has died.” The Kuna 620 engine crew made another radio transmission one minute later, “The truck’s been overtaken by fire!” That was their last transmission. It took four minutes from the point of escape for the fire to overrun the disabled engine.

How do we as a fire community remember and honor those that were lost.
Understanding how federal, state, and local resources come together on a single piece of ground to accomplish a common goal will continue to make the response to wildfire, prescribed fire, and all-hazard incidents better.

How do you maintain, improve, or promote relations on your unit?
The focus on our quality of engines and support vehicles throughout the fire service is constantly improving. The improvements made in standardizing the Preventative Maintenance checks and creating a culture of reporting equipment issues nationally have helped tremendously.

What are ways you ensure your equipment is in serviceable condition?
In the Swiss Cheese model, the holes in the slices represent weaknesses in individual parts of the system and are continually varying in size and position across the slices. The system produces failures when a hole in each slice momentarily aligns, so that a hazard passes through holes in all the slices, leading to a failure. In the case of the Point Fire there wasn’t a singular event that led to this tragedy. Recognition of all the different variables is key in learning.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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 January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) 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 January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page