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NFDRS

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What's New

National Weather Service (NWS) 7-day expansion of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) forecast

From March 2 to May 31, 2020, the NWS will issue experimental seven-day NFDRS forecasts. At the end of this period, a decision will be made whether or not to make the expanded product operational for NFDRS forecasting.

NFDRS2016 Evaluation

Following the development of a draft FDOP, The updated rollout timeline has been extended to allow for evaluation/comparison of the legacy NFDRS outputs with the NFDRS2016 outputs. The intent is to provide field units with the tools needed to evaluate FDOP decision thresholds as a function of NFDRS2016 outputs. Additional resources are available on this website to assist with the transition from the legacy system to ide NFDRS2016.

Pre-Workshop Webinar Components

Fire Danger Operating Plan Examples


NFDRS2016 Rollout Plan (Update)

On July 24, 2019, the NWCG Executive Board approved a proposal from the Fire Danger Subcommittee to update the initial NFDRS2016 Rollout Plan. All units will be fully transitioned to NFDRS2016 by January 2021.

At the September 17th 2014 NWCG Executive Board meeting, three updates to the United States National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) were approved. 

  1. Incorporate the Growing Season Index (GSI) to compute live fuel moistures;
  2. Incorporate the Nelson Model to compute fine dead fuel moisture; and
  3. Reduce the number of fuel models in the NFDRS. 

View a PowerPoint presentation narrated by the Fire Danger Subcommittee Chair Jon Wallace; developed to explain the case for change to the NFDRS.


Background

The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) has offered a consistent interagency decision-support framework since its inception in 1972. The System was first updated in 1978; and again in 1988. Although the original developers intended for periodic improvements to be incorporated as science and technology improved, the System has remained fundamentally unchanged the past 40 years. Today, there is even greater need for state-of-the-art tools to assist the wildland fire community sort through the daunting complexities and conflicting priorities which can confound decision-makers.

In 2013, research scientists from the USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) proposed updates to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Danger Subcommittee. In September 2014, the NWCG Executive Board issued Memorandum 14-018, approving a revision to the US National Fire Danger Rating System. Three significant changes were addressed:

  1. Incorporate the Growing Season Index (GSI) to compute live fuel moisture;
  2. Incorporate the Nelson Model to compute fine dead fuel moisture; and
  3. Reduce the number of fuel models in the NFDRS.

In September 2016, the NWCG Executive Board Issued Memorandum 16-019 providing an update of the transition to the 2016 version of NFDRS; otherwise known as NFDRS2016. The primary objective is to provide a stable NFDRS2016 system along with updates to the Weather Information Management System (WIMS) and FireFamilyPlus (FF+) to assure end-users are comfortable with the new model outputs and associated applications.

NFDRS2016 is a next-generation system which aligns with common interagency goals to use the best available science and technology to provide decision-makers with improved efficiencies, increased accuracy, and a much clearer understanding of the associated risks. Since interagency cooperation and collaboration (at every level) is essential for a successful transition to NFDRS2016, all agencies (State and Federal) with responsibility to make and implement risk-based wildfire management decisions are encouraged to participate in the roll-out process.

This web site has been designed to facilitate education regarding the new science and improve the utilization of NFDRS through the standard interagency applications of the system.

 

The National Fire Danger Rating System is supported by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and monitored through their Fire Danger Sub Committee. All Federal, State and Local wildland fire management agencies are encouraged to work collaboratively with partners in their Dispatch Zones to create and adhere to a Fire Danger Operating Plan.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources