NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Nautical miles per hour, equal to 1.15 mph.

A permanent source of air pollution that can be distinctly identified such as a smokestack.

The speed of an aircraft as shown on its pitot static airspeed indicator. Calibrated to reflect standard atmosphere adiabatic compressible flow at sea level, uncorrected for airspeed system errors.

Graph showing the increase in temperature at a specified point in a fire as a function of time, beginning with ignition and ending with burnout.

The general term referring to the undesirable addition of substances (gases, liquids, or solid particles) to the atmosphere that are foreign to the natural atmosphere or are present in quantities exceeding natural concentrations.

An airborne dust, fume, gas, mist, odor, smoke, vapor, soot, pollen, carbon, acid or particulate matter or any combination thereof.

An increase in the central pressure of a low. Counter-clockwise wind flow around the low usually decreases as filling occurs.

A NIMS guiding principle stating that each individual involved in incident management reports to and takes direction from only one person.

Prediction of probable fire behavior, usually prepared by a fire behavior analyst, in support of fire suppression or prescribed burning operations.

Rate at which a propellant and other combustibles burn.

A progressive system of building a fireline on a wildfire without changing relative positions in the line. Each worker does one to several "licks", or strokes, with a given tool and then moves forward a specified distance to make room for the worker behind.

Property that may be endangered by a fire burning in another structure or by a wildfire.

The meeting which serves as a final review and approval, by the Command and General Staff, of operational plans and resources requirements. This meeting is an element of the Planning Cycle.

Evaluation of all factors pertinent to probable future behavior of a going fire and of the potential ability of available forces to perform fire suppression operations on a specified time schedule.

A number of individuals that have been organized and trained and are supervised principally for operational assignments on an incident.

A management approach, fundamental to NIMS, that involves (1) establishing objectives, e.g., specific, measurable and realistic outcomes to be achieved; (2) identifying strategies, tactics, and tasks to achieve the objectives; (3) performing the tactics and tasks and measuring and documenting results in achieving the objectives; and (4) taking corrective action to modify strategies, tactics, and/or performance to achieve the objectives.

Five-minute test used to predict a person's ability to take in, transport, and use oxygen (aerobic capacity), the most important factor limiting the ability to perform arduous work.

The dispatch center actively supporting an incident and the resources assigned or a resource who is temporarily transferred for official action i.e. details, temporary duty station, etc.

A situation in which a tree is lodged in another, preventing it from falling to the ground.

The reduction in forest floor thickness due to consumption by fire.

A map showing location of supplies of water readily available for pumps, tanks, trucks, camp use, etc.

A planned, systematic procedure for collecting, recording, and evaluating prefire and fire management intelligence data for a given planning unit or preattack block. The planning phase is usually followed by a construction and development program integrated with other resources and activities. 

A number used to indicate relative (not actual) rate of spread.

Rapid combustion and/or explosion of unburned gases trapped at some distance from the main fire front. Usually occurs only in poorly ventilated topography.

North, south, east, west; used for giving directions and information from the ground or air in describing the fire (e.g., the west flank or east flank, not right flank or left flank).

A landing necessitated by apparent impending failure of engines, systems, or components which makes continued flight unadvisable.

Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures.

The organizational level having responsibility for operations within a defined geographic area. Divisions are established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span of control of the Section Chief. See Group.

An organizational subdivision established to divide the incident management structure into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within a single geographic area.

The discharge of distinct pockets of water and air due to the insufficient mixing of foam concentrate, water, and air in a compressed air foam system.

A radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure which operates from its own power source on 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz. The transmitter transmits a distinctive downward swept audio tone for homing purposes and is designed to function without human action after an accident. 

The boundary of a fire at a given moment.

Any uncontrolled fire near to or heading toward an area under organized fire protection.

A heat detection system used for fire detection, mapping, and hotspot identification.

The display or printout of an infrared scanner operating over a fire.

The chance that a firebrand will cause an ignition when it lands on receptive fuels.

Two or more units of any one type working one in front of the other to accomplish a specific fire suppression job; the term can be used in connection with crews of firefighters, power pumps, bulldozers, etc.

Manipulation of stands of brush by manual, mechanical, chemical, or biological means or by prescribed burning for the purpose of achieving land management objectives.

The effects that concern the direct or immediate consequences of fire, such as biomass consumption, crown scorch, bole damage, and smoke production. First order effects form an important basis for predicting secondary effects such as tree regeneration, plant succession, and changes in site productivity, but these involve interaction with many other non-fire variables. 

The secondary effects of fire such as tree regeneration, plant succession, and changes in site productivity. Although second order fire effects are dependent, in part, on first order fire effects, they also involve interaction with many other non-fire variables. 

Fire scar in a tree resulting from fire injury to the cambium without destruction of the overlying bark and therefore not readily discernible.

A safety briefing emphasizes key safety concerns on the incident and is presented at each briefing session. The safety briefing should contain information to alert incident personnel of potential risk/hazard considered to be most critical.

The general surroundings of a site with special reference to its openness to winds.

The basis for decision support for daily staffing of initial attack resources and other activities. A level of readiness and an indicator or daily preparedness.

Any soil or soil horizon containing at least 30% organic matter (e.g., muck, peat).

Device that emulates the moisture response of specific classes of dead fuels, constructed from organic or inorganic materials (e.g., half-inch ponderosa pine dowels representing ten-hour timelag fuels).

An area that may be adversely affected by smoke from a prescribed burn.

The results of those factors in fire danger affecting long-term planning; involves consideration of past records and conditions and probable future trends.

The orderly line of authority within the rank of incident management organizations.

Agency personnel with specific delegation of procurement authority.