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10 Standard Firefighting Orders

The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and the 18 Watch Out Situations, as referenced in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, provide wildland firefighters with a set of consistent best practices and a series of scenarios to be mindful of when responding to a wildland fire.

The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders are organized in a deliberate and sequential way to be implemented systematically and applied to all fire situations.

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1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts. A firefighter talks into the radio as he stands near remote weather equipment. Smoke and flame are visible in the distance.

1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.

Weather conditions can significantly impact fire behavior, and weather forecasts help firefighters anticipate changes. This Standard Firefighting Order shows a remote automated weather station (RAWS) which sends real-time weather information to incident fire personnel.

2. Know what your fire is doing at all times. A firefighter, wearing a pack and holding a tool, stands on a ridge while talking into a radio. On the left hillside, several firefighters are digging on a spot fire. On the right, the main fire is burning uphill. A helicopter is also flying over the fire.

2. Know what your fire is doing at all times.

Current and accurate information about fire behavior and weather conditions is critical to firefighter safety. This Standard Firefighting Order demonstrates how lookouts are used to gather and communicate details on fire behavior.

 
3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire. A firefighter looks at his watch, which reads 2 PM, while a fire actively grows in steep terrain and heavy timber.

3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.

Fire managers make decisions throughout the day on how to suppress fires and best use resources while protecting life and property. This Standard Firefighting Order depicts a firefighter observing increased fire behavior during a time of day when temperatures are high and relative humidity is low.

4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known. A fire crew is walking through a meadow on a path lined with pink flagging. Behind them, a fire is growing in heavy timber.

4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known.

Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) are the foundation to safe fire suppression actions. This Standard Firefighting Order shows a crew utilizing a predesignated escape route to safely move away from an active fire.

 
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger. A firefighter works by a water pump in a creek. Two firefighters spray water onto flames. And another firefighter talks into a radio while observing all firefighters.

5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger.

Lookouts provide time-sensitive information to firefighters. This Standard Firefighting Order demonstrates firefighters installing a pump and hose lay with a designated lookout to keep watch for and communicate possible hazards.

6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively. On the left side of a split screen, four firefighters stand near a wildland fire, listening to a radio in the hands of one. On the right side of the screen, a supervisory firefighter talks into a handheld radio.

6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.

Remaining alert, keeping calm, thinking clearly, and acting decisively are important components of decision-making on wildland fire incidents. This Standard Firefighting Order illustrates a supervisor providing direction and establishing leader's intent to help a crew working on a growing fire.

 
7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces. A bulldozer is on one side of a fire burning in palmetto, and a fire engine and water tender are on the other. A supervisory firefighter is in the middle talking into the radio and gesturing to the bulldozer.

7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.

The Incident Command System (ICS) relies on interagency communications between firefighting resources for collaborative fire suppression. This Standard Firefighting Order shows a variety of firefighting resources working together to effectively suppress a wildland fire.

8. Give clear instructions and be sure they are understood. About 20 firefighters stand in a semi-circle in front of two crew buggies where a map has been put up. A supervisory firefighter points at the map and speaks to the group.

8. Give clear instructions and be sure they are understood.

Briefings are opportunities to share information, plan tactics, and ask questions. This Standard Firefighting Order illustrates a briefing from a supervisor to the personnel working on the fireline.

 
9. Maintain control of your forces at all times. A crew boss is gesturing to a wildland fire crew walking along a path away from a fire burning in grass and cacti. A Single-Engine Airtanker (SEAT) is flying over dropping red retardant on the flames.

Building and maintaining crew cohesion promotes trust among crew members and leadership. This Standard Firefighting Order demonstrates a crew following direction from their supervisor to avoid hazards, including the approaching airtanker.

10. Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first. A green fire engine is driving through thick grass and sage. Three firefighters are spraying water at a fire's edge. Along a road in the foreground, pink flagging is tied to brush to indicate an escape route.

The safety of firefighters and the public is always the top priority of wildland fire management agencies. This Standard Firefighting Order portrays an engine crew, with a clearly identified escape route in place, suppressing an active wildland fire .

 

Las 10 órdenes de extinción de incendios estándar y las 18 situaciones de cuidado, como se menciona en la Guía de bolsillo de respuesta a incidentes (IRPG), PMS 461, brindan a los bomberos forestales un conjunto de mejores prácticas consistentes y una serie de escenarios a tener en cuenta al responder a un incendio forestal.

Las 10 Órdenes de lucha contra incendios estándar están organizadas de manera deliberada y secuencial para ser implementadas sistemáticamente y aplicadas a todas las situaciones de incendio.

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1. Manténgase informado(a) sobre las condiciones del tiempo y pronósticos del incendio. Un bombero habla por la radio mientras se encuentra cerca de equipos meteorológicos remotos. El humo y las llamas son visibles en la distancia.

Las condiciones climáticas pueden afectar significativamente el comportamiento del fuego, y los pronósticos del tiempo ayudan a los bomberos a anticipar los cambios. Esta orden estándar de extinción de incendios muestra una estación meteorológica remota remota (RAWS) que envía información meteorológica en tiempo real al personal del incendio incidente.

2. Sepa lo que está haciendo su incendio en todo momento. Un bombero, que lleva un paquete y sostiene una herramienta, se para en una cresta mientras habla por radio. En la ladera izquierda, varios bomberos están cavando en un spot spot. A la derecha, el fuego principal está ardiendo cuesta arriba. Un helicóptero también está volando sobre el fuego.

La información actual y precisa sobre el comportamiento del fuego y las condiciones climáticas es crítica para la seguridad de los bomberos. Esta Orden estándar de extinción de incendios demuestra cómo se utilizan los puestos de observación para reunir y comunicar detalles sobre el comportamiento del fuego.

 
3. Base todas acción en reciente y supuesto comportamiento del incendio. Un bombero mira su reloj, que marca las 2 de la tarde, mientras un fuego crece activamente en terrenos empinados y madera pesada.

Los gerentes de bomberos toman decisiones durante todo el día sobre cómo suprimir incendios y utilizar mejor los recursos mientras protegen la vida y la propiedad. Esta Orden de extinción de incendios estándar muestra a un bombero observando un mayor comportamiento del fuego durante un momento del día cuando las temperaturas son altas y la humedad relativa es baja.

4. Identifique rutas de escape y zonas y hágalas saber. Un equipo de bomberos está caminando a través de un prado en un camino bordeado de banderas rosas Detrás de ellos, un fuego está creciendo en madera pesada.

Los miradores, las comunicaciones, las rutas de escape y las zonas de seguridad (LCES) son la base para las acciones seguras de extinción de incendios. Esta orden de extinción de incendios estándar muestra a una tripulación que utiliza una ruta de escape previamente designada para alejarse con seguridad de un incendio activo.

 
5. Establezca vigilantes cuando existe posibilidad de peligro. Un bombero trabaja junto a una bomba de agua en un arroyo. Dos bomberos rocían agua sobre las llamas. Y otro bombero habla por radio mientras observa a todos los bomberos.

Los miradores brindan información urgente a los bomberos. Esta Orden estándar de extinción de incendios muestra a los bomberos que instalan una bomba y una manguera con un puesto de observación designado para vigilar y comunicar posibles peligros.

6. Manténgase alerta. Conserve la calma. Piense con claridad. Actúe en forma decisiva. En el lado izquierdo de una pantalla dividida, cuatro bomberos se paran cerca de un incendio forestal, escuchando una radio en las manos de uno. En el lado derecho de la pantalla, un bombero supervisor habla por una radio portátil.

Mantenerse alerta, mantener la calma, pensar con claridad y actuar con decisión son componentes importantes de la toma de decisiones sobre incidentes de incendios forestales. Esta orden estándar de extinción de incendios ilustra a un supervisor que proporciona dirección y establece la intención del líder de ayudar a una tripulación que trabaja en un incendio creciente.

 
7. Mantenga alerto(a) y calmado(a). Piense claramente. Actué decisivamente. Una excavadora está a un lado de un incendio que arde en palmetto, y un camión de bomberos y una licuadora de agua están en el otro. Un bombero supervisor está en el medio hablando por la radio y gesticulando hacia la excavadora.

El Sistema de Comando de Incidentes (ICS) se basa en las comunicaciones interinstitucionales entre los recursos de extinción de incendios para la extinción de incendios coloborativa. Esta Orden de extinción de incendios estándar muestra una variedad de recursos de extinción de incendios que trabajan juntos para suprimir eficazmente un incendio forestal.

8. De instrucciones claras y aseguré que son entendidas. Unos 20 bomberos se paran en un semicírculo frente a dos buggies de la tripulación donde se ha colocado un mapa. Un bombero supervisor señala el mapa y habla con el grupo.

Las sesiones informativas son oportunidades para compartir información, planificar tácticas y hacer preguntas. Esta orden de extinción de incendios estándar ilustra una sesión informativa de un supervisor al personal que trabaja en la línea de fuego.

 
9. Mantenga control de su cuadrilla en todo momento. Un jefe de equipo está señalando a un equipo de bomberos forestales que camina por un sendero lejos de un incendio que arde en hierba y cactus. Un Airtanker monomotor (SEAT) está volando sobre la caída de retardante rojo sobre las llamas.

Construir y mantener la cohesión de la tripulación promueve la confianza entre los miembros de la tripulación y el liderazgo. Esta orden estándar de extinción de incendios demuestra que una tripulación sigue las instrucciones de su supervisor para evitar riesgos, incluido el agente de aire que se acerca.

10. Combata incendio agresivamente, habiendo proveído por la seguridad primero. Un camión de bomberos verde atraviesa hierba espesa y salvia. Tres bomberos están rociando agua al borde del fuego. A lo largo de un camino en primer plano, las banderas rosadas están atadas al pincel para indicar una ruta de escape.

La seguridad de los bomberos y el público es siempre la principal prioridad de las agencias de manejo de incendios forestales. Esta Orden de extinción de incendios estándar retrata a una tripulación de motor, con una ruta de escape claramente identificada en su lugar, suprimiendo un incendio forestal activo.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1