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Fire Environment Observation Unit

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FEOU header graphic. An image of a bolt of lightning with two inset photos of wildland firefighters watching and taking readings of fire activity. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Fire Environment Observation Unit (FEOU) provides technical expertise to the Fire Weather Subcommittee in the development of fire weather observation standards and the management of data generated from fire weather operations.

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Primary Objectives

Heavy clouds and rainfall with a bolt of lightning striking dry grass plains. Decorative

  • Develop and maintain wildland fire weather station standards and guidelines.
  • Coordinate weather monitoring networks for maintenance, compliance, and related issues.
  • Ensure wildland fire business needs are met for lightning detection, and lightning and fire weather data retention and storage.
  • Represent Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group (STIWG) in support of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) utilization.
  • Perform change management function for the Wildland Fire Management Information (WFMI) modules for weather and lightning.
  • Manage the interagency RAWS web site.

Chair: Robbie Swofford

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: Fire Weather Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412