NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

The unit identifier for the agency that has primary protection responsibility at the point of origin at the time of the incident. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

Broad classification of land ownership at the point of origin.

The State Code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin. Point of origin is the precise location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

Allows identification of an activity which is unlawful or otherwise prohibited (burn ban, unpermitted, etc.) by local authorities.

Evaluation of a dwelling and its immediate surrounding to determine its potential to escape damage by an approaching wildland fire. Includes the fuels and vegetation in the yard and adjacent to the structure, roof environment, decking and siding materials, prevailing winds, topography, fire history, etc., with the intent of mitigating fire hazards and risks. 

Identifying something that started a wildfire.

The thing that a person is doing when a wildland fire ignition occurs.

Agency or circumstance which started a fire or set the stage for its occurrence.

More specific information about the cause or factors contributing to the ignition.

The name of the fuels treatment

Status of the fuels treatment polygon(s).

Activities to change behaviors and attitudes about fire ecology, wildland fire and the role of fire in natural resource management. Defines the purposes for actions that provide information about and improve understanding of wildland fire.

Re-ignition due to latent heat, sparks, or embers or due to presence of smoke or steam.

Further refines wildfire cause supporting data, providing information for prevention programs for targeted messaging.

Measures taken by jurisdictional agencies to impose bans and standards of use on certain human activities that could lead to the cause of wildland fire. Restrictions may be applied to: smoking in designated areas; open flame; mechanical operations in high-risk areas; and off-road use.

A further categorization of each General Cause to indicate more specifically the agency or circumstance which started a fire or set the stage for its occurrence.

A way to group people based on their chronological age and their position in the life cycle as it relates to the age demographic. This information provides valuable insight to Communication, Education, and Prevention personnel in developing products to reach and educate on wildland fire prevention.

Activities directed at reducing the incidence of human-caused wildfires, including public education, law enforcement, personal contact, and other actions taken to reduce ignitions.

A person or group of persons who carries out patrol actions.

Oral or written statement tending to link its maker to involvement in a particular crime.

To travel over a given route to prevent, detect, and suppress fires. Includes interaction with the public for wildland fire prevention and educational purposes.

Act of soaking up and retaining a gas in liquid or in a solid; also retention of radiant energy.

A statement of declaration in writing and affirmed before an official with authority to administer an oath; a statement of declaration alleging fact to support the issuance of a search or arrest warrant.

Characteristics fire cone-shaped pattern left by a fire on a wall, at or near its point of origin.

Model legislation, recommended by the Fire Marshals' Association of North America and adopted in most states, dealing with the subject of arson.

Char patterns formed on paint or burned wood remains, usually in the shape of blisters.

Common name of activity

Type of activity or event

Any process or event capable of causing a fire.

Activities such as public education, community outreach, law enforcement, engineering, and reduction of fuel hazards that are intended to reduce the incidence of unwanted human-caused wildfires and the risks they pose to life, property or resources.

Material (usually a flammable liquid) used to initiate or increase the spread of a fire.

To go back and forth vigilantly over a length of control line during and/or after construction to prevent breakovers, suppress spot fires, and extinguish overlooked hotspots.

Classification of indicators into a variety of categories based on how they are formed and the types of material they are found on.

Readily changeable into vapor at low temperatures.

The symbol of the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Program since 1945. Smokey's image is protected by US Federal Law and is administered by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council.

An administrative action limiting or prohibiting access to a specific geographic or jurisdictional area for the purposes of reducing wildfire or the risk it poses to life, property, and/or resources. Example of use: "Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50 (a) and (b), it is hereby ordered that the prohibitions hereinafter set forth apply to the general forest area of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests until further notice."

A fire resulting from any operation or activity of a railroad, except smoking.

A plan developed in the collaborative framework established by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and agreed to by state, tribal, and local government, local fire department, other stakeholders and federal land management agencies managing land in the vicinity of the planning area. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommends the types and methods of treatment on Federal and non-Federal land that will protect one or more at-risk communities and essential infrastructure and recommends measures to reduce structural ignitability throughout the at-risk community. A CWPP may address issues such as wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, or structure protection - or all of the above. 

The person or entity that owns the land or has the authority to convey title to others.

Political subdivisions that fall within a country

The last name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID.