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Dozers

Steward: Equipment Technology Committee

Intro paragraph

Dozer Typing Standards

Requirements Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Net HP Range* 240 and up 150 - 250 90 - 165 50 - 110
Minimum Base Weight** 60,000 lbs. 35,000 lbs. 24,000 lbs. 10,000 lbs.
*Manufacturer’s published rated net horsepower (HP). Horsepower rating taken at the flywheel with all the engine accessories installed not counting transmission losses or anything after the flywheel
**Manufacturer’s published base weight for dozer including equipped track width and blade configuration, equipment fluids, etc. If a published base weight is unavailable, a certified in-service weight shall be used
Base operational weight is only used for typing. Final in-service dozer weight will be higher and include additional accessories such as winch, grapple, forestry package, etc. Final in-service dozer weight must be used when calculating hauler capacity, bridge weight limits, etc.

Dozer Fireline Construction Rates (Single Pass) in Chains per Hour

Fire Behavior Fuel Model Up or Down Slope Slope Class 1
0-25%		 Slope Class 2
26-40%		 Slope Class 3
41-55%		 Slope Class 4
56-74%
Type 3 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 55-90 30-55 8-30 0-8
Down 90-110 90-110 20-90 0-20
3, 5, 8 Up 45-70 25-45 2-25 0-2
Down 70-80 65-80 0-65 0
4 Up 20-35 10-20 0-10 0
Down 35-40 25-40 0-25 0
6, 7, 9 Up 35-55 15-35 0-15 0
Down 55-60 40-60 0-40 0
11, 12 Up 15-25 7-15 0-7 0
Down 25-30 10-30 0-10 0
10, 13 Up 8-15 3-8 0-3 0
Down 10-15 5-10 0-5 0
Type 2 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 85-125 60-85 30-60 0-30
Down 125-145 130-145 75-130 0-75
And so on          

Note: Production rates are not precise but vary with conditions. The higher rate can be applied for situations involving:

  • Newer dozers (1975 and later)
  • Dozers in excellent operating condition
  • Most-qualified operators
  • Temperatures below 90 °F
  • Moist soil, few or no rocks
  • No lost time • Indirect fireline
  • Average fire behavior
  • Daylight operations
  • Less resistive vegetative types within each fire behavior fuel model

 

Table Title???

Dozer Horse Power Examples
Type 1 HEAVY: 200 Minimum Horse Power D-8, D-7, JD-950
Type 2 MEDIUM:  100 Minimum Horse Power D-5N, D-6N, JD-750
Type 3 LIGHT:  50 Minimum Horse Power JD-450, JD-550, D-3, D-4
Minimum standards for personnel with dozers will differ depending on fuel type, terrain, and resource configuration. Dozer strike teams may use team leader in place of additional personnel per dozer. Fuel requiring burnout and terrain that requires scouting demands two personnel per dozer.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee