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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

Term Steward Status Definition
rough FMSC Fuels Management Subcommittee Approved The accumulation of living and dead ground and understory vegetation, especially grasses, forest litter, and draped dead needles, sometimes with addition of underbrush such as palmetto, gallberry, and wax myrtle. Most often used for southern pine types.
rough reduction FMSC Fuels Management Subcommittee Approved Reduction of fire hazard in rough, usually by prescribed burning.
roundwood FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved Boles, stems, or limbs of woody material; that portion of the dead wildland fuel which is roughly cylindrical in shape.
run (of a fire) FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved Rapid advance of the head of a fire, characterized by a marked transition in fireline intensity and rate of spread with respect to that noted before and after the advance.
running fire FASC Fire Analysis Subcommittee Approved Behavior of a fire spreading rapidly with a well defined head.
rural WMSC WUI Mitigation Subcommittee Archived Any area wherein residences and other developments are scattered and intermingled with forest, range, or farm land and native vegetation or cultivated crops.
Rural Fire District (RFD) FBC Finance/Business Management Committee Approved An organization established to provide fire protection to a designated geographic area outside of areas under municipal fire protection. Usually has some taxing authority and officials may be appointed or elected.
rural fire protection IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Fire protection and firefighting problems that are outside of areas under municipal fire prevention and building regulations and that are usually remote from public water supplies.
saddle (topographic) PMC Fire Planning Management Committee, FESC Fire Environment Subcommittee Approved Depression or pass in a ridgeline.
SAFENET SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Approved A form and process, used by wildland firefighting agencies, for reporting and resolving incidents relating to firefighter safety. The information collected is used to determine long-term trends and problem areas within the wildland fire industry.
Safety Advisory SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Archived A safety alert addressing wildland fire safety information that isn't related to imminent or potential threats of injury.
Safety Alert SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Archived A warning or alert concerning critical information relating to firefighter safety, that is distributed via email through an NWCG mail server. There are three types of alerts: Safety Warning, Safety Advisory, and Safety Bulletin.
safety briefing SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Approved 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.
Safety Bulletin SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Archived A safety alert containing a factual confirmation of a serious wildland fire accident, incident or fatality.
safety circle AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved An obstruction-free circle around the (helicopter) landing pad.
Safety Warning SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Approved A time-sensitive alert to the wildland fire community addressing wildland fire safety hazards that pose an imminent threat, or have potential to pose a threat, to life or property.  Red hash-marked bordered stationary will be associated with this type of alert.
safety zone SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Approved An area cleared of flammable materials used for escape in the event the line is outflanked or in case a spot fire causes fuels outside the control line to render the line unsafe. In firing operations, crews progress so as to maintain a safety zone close at hand allowing the fuels inside the control line to be consumed before going ahead. Safety zones may also be constructed as integral parts of fuel breaks; they are greatly enlarged areas which can be used with relative safety by firefighters and their equipment in the event of blowup in the vicinity. 
salvo AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Dropping by an airtanker of its entire load of fire retardant at one time.
salvo drop AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Total retardant or water load dropped all at once. Usually done to knock down a hotspot.
sample IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved Part of a population; that portion of the population that is measured.
sample size IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved The number of items or observations in a sample; usually denoted by lower case letter n.
Sand Table Exercise (STEX) QMC Qualifications Management Committee, LTSC Leadership Training Subcommittee, LDSC Leadership Development Subcommitte Approved A tactical decision game that employs a three-dimensional terrain model made from sand and various props to provide a visual representation of the situation described in the tactical decision game.
satellite delivery QMC Qualifications Management Committee, TDSC Training Delivery Subcommittee Approved Synchronous distance learning where students participate individually or with small groups of other students at the same physical location.  An instructor who is qualified as a Unit Instructor (or higher) is physically available to interact with each student/group. This delivery configuration allows for inclusion of hands-on training. Note that the use of the word 'Satellite' here does not refer to the means of providing internet connectivity.
satisfactory performance Archived Performance by an individual which meets the written standards for a specific ICS position, as evaluated by the individual's incident or agency supervisor.
scope of practice SRC Safety/Risk Management Committee Approved The set of responsibilities and ethical considerations that define the extent or limits of the care provider within the current standards of practice.
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