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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

Term Steward Status Definition
range fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Any wildfire on rangeland.
rappelling RWSC Rotor Wing Subcommittee Approved Technique of landing specifically trained and certified firefighters from hovering helicopters; involves sliding down ropes with the aid of friction-producing devices.
rate of spread FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved The relative activity of a fire in extending its horizontal dimensions. It is expressed as rate of increase of the total perimeter of the fire, as rate of forward spread of the fire front, or as rate of increase in area, depending on the intended use of the information. Usually it is expressed in chains or acres per hour for a specific period in the fire's history.
rate of spread factor FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved A factor usually on a scale of 1 to 100 which represents a relative rate of forward spread for a specific fuel condition and fixed weather conditions (or fuel model). Factors can be used as multipliers, arguments for entering tables, or provide a ratio of values between two fuels. 
rate of spread meter FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved A device that computes the probable rate of spread of a fire for different combinations of fuel moisture, wind speed, and other selected factors.
rated pressure MFES Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee Approved The maximum “operating pressure” of a component or system. Also known as “working pressure” in Forest Service specifications.
rating period FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved The period of time during which a fire danger rating value is considered valid or representative for administrative or other purposes. Normally it is 24 hours extending from midnight to midnight.
rawinsonde IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved Method of upper-air observation consisting of an evaluation of the wind speed and wind direction, temperature, pressure, and relative humidity aloft by means of a balloon-borne radiosonde tracked by a radar or radio direction-finder.
re-certification PMC Fire Planning Management Committee, QMC Qualifications Management Committee, QSSC Qualifications Systems Subcommittee, LMC Logistic and Equipment Management Committee Approved Confirmation through the re-issuance of an incident qualification card that an individual has regained qualifications for a specified position that was lost through a lack of current experience. A key component in the certification or re-certification process is the subjective evaluation by the appropriate agency official of an individual's capability to perform in a position. 
reaction intensity IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved The rate of heat release, per unit area of the flaming fire front, expressed as heat energy/area/time, such as Btu/square foot/minute, or Kcal/square meter/second.
readiness (fire) IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Condition or degree of being completely ready to cope with a potential fire situation.
readiness (mental) IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Mental readiness to recognize changes in fire danger and act promptly when action is appropriate.
rear (of a fire) (fire spread) FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved That portion of a fire spreading directly into the wind or down slope.
rear (of a fire) (opposite the head) FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved That portion of a fire edge opposite the head.
rear (of a fire) (slowest spreading) FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved Slowest spreading portion of a fire edge.
reason for responding to incident on unprotected land IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee Approved The rationale an agency responded to an incident where the point of origin is on unprotected land.
Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) FMSC Fuels Management Subcommittee Approved Control measures developed by EPA which apply to residential wood combustion, fugitive dust, and prescribed and silvicultural burning in and around 'moderate' PM-10 non-attainment areas. RACM is designed to bring an area back into attainment and uses a smoke management program which relies on weather forecasts for burn/no-burn days. 
reassigned (at incident) DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending A resource on a filled request has been reassigned from one incident to the another, but the mobilization travel has not started.
reburn (historical) IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An area that has reburned.
reburn (leftover fuel) IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Repeat burning of an area over which a fire has previously passed, but left fuel that later ignites when burning conditions are more favorable.
recertification Archived Confirmation through the reissuance of an incident qualification card that an individual has regained qualification for an ICS position that is lost through a lack of current experience. Recertification is based upon an individual's satisfactory performance in that position as a trainee, by a simulation exercise, and/or by retaking the required training for that position.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) PMC Fire Planning Management Committee, QMC Qualifications Management Committee, QSSC Qualifications Systems Subcommittee, LMC Logistic and Equipment Management Committee Approved A competency-based process that evaluates an individual’s experience, formal and non-formal, to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required competencies of an emergency response position.
Reconnaissance (RECON) AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved To examine a fire area to obtain information about current and probable fire behavior and other related fire suppression information.
recorders QMC Qualifications Management Committee, NISC NIMS Integration Subcommittee Archived Individuals within ICS organizational units who are responsible for recording information. Recorders may be found in planning, logistics and finance/administration units.
recovery (increased relative humidity) IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved The increase in fuel moisture as a result of increased relative humidity, usually occurring overnight.
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