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Incident Business Committee Prescribed Fire Positions

Prescribed Fire (DOI Pay Plan Only)

RXB1

RX Burn Boss Type 1, AD I

RXB2

RX Burn Boss Type 2, AD H

RXB3

RX Burn Boss Type 3, AD F

RXM1

RX Fire Manager Type 1, AD J

RXM2

RX Fire Manager, Type 2, AD I

 

 

RXB1 - RX Burn Boss Type 1, AD I

Duties:

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator or Prescribed Fire Manager for implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan.
  • Review prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met.
  • Perform a reconnaissance of the site to validate burn plan elements, including areas of special concern and that holding/contingency plans adequately address the expected fire behavior outside of the unit.
  • Maintain communication with the FMO and/or Agency Administrator
  • Obtain weather forecasts, updates and advisories from a meteorologist
  • Ensure that the Agency Administrator Go/No-Go decision and checklist is still valid
  • Coordinate with resource advisor and or land owners and permittees when buring on or adjacent to private lands
  • Make the go/no-go decision, complete and sign the implementation go/no-go checklist
  • Conduct the personnel/safety briefing to ensure a safe operation
  • Conduct the test burn
  • Supervise assigned personnel
  • Direct the ignition, holding and monitoring operations
  • Ensure that a log records all activities during each operational period
  • Determine when the prescribed fire is not within prescription parameters or isnot meeting project objectives
  • Manage the incident or oversee the transition to another Incident Commander if an escape occurs
  • Evaluate and document objective accomplishments, operational procedures, assigned personnel and costs
  • Declare the prescribed fire out unless the project is formally passed to another burn boss, prescribed fire manager or the local fire management organization
  • Ensure that reports are completed

Position Needs

  • Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-490)
  • Satisfactory performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 3 AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Smoke Management Techniques (RX-410), Applied Fire Effects (RX-510), Fire in Ecosystem Management (M-580), Fire Program Management (M-581)
  • RX300 and RX341

 

RXB2 - RX Burn Boss Type 2, AD H

Duties:

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator/ Prescribed Fire Manager and coordinates with the FMO on implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan.
  • Review prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met
  • Confirm pre-burn notifications are done
  • Perform a reconnaissance of the site prior to implementation to validate burn plan elements, including areas of special concern and that holding/contingency plans adequately address the expected fire behavior outside of the unit
  • Maintain communication with the FMO and/or Agency Administrator
  • Obtain area/zone weather forecasts, spot weather, updates and advisories from a meteorologist
  • Coordinate required/qualified personnel and equipment
  • Ensure that the Agency Administrator Go/No-Go decision and checklist is still valid
  • Coordinate with resource advisor and or land owners and permittees when burning on or adjacent to private lands
  • Make the go/no-go decision, complete and sign the implementation go/no-go checklist
  • Conduct the personnel/safety briefing to ensure a safe operation
  • Conduct the test burn
  • Supervise assigned personnel
  • Oversee the ignition, holding and monitoring operations
  • Ensure that a log records all activities during each operational period
  • Continuously monitor the prescribed fire to determine if it is not within prescription parameters or is not meeting project objectives
  • Make the decision to declare the prescribed fire a wildfire and manage the incident or oversee the transition to another Incident Commander if an escape occurs
  • Evaluate and document objective accomplishments, operational procedures, assigned personnel and costs
  • Implement the contingency section until the prescribed fire is out
  • Declare the prescribed fire out unless the project is formally passed to another burn boss, prescribed fire manager or the local fire management organization
  • Ensure that reports are completed

Position Needs:

  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Ignition Specialist Type 2 AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RX-300), Leadership and Organizational Development (S-381), Introduction to fire Effects (RX-310)
  • RX300 and RX341

 

RXB3 - RX Burn Boss Type 3, AD F

Duties

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator or Prescribed Fire Manager for implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan. The BLM has established an additional level of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, the RXB3, to qualify a person to supervise some prescribed fire operations. These types of operations typically would have few personnel assigned, a very low threat of escape and present a minimal risk to personnel involved in the operation. The use of the RXB3 is limited to the burning of piled slash, landings, ditches, and debris.
  • Review prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met
  • Review specific agency prescribed fire policy
  • Ensure that all phases of the prescribed fire operation, stress the safety of all personnel.
  • Perform a reconnaissance of the burn unit.
  • Obtain and interpret current fire environment conditions, such as weather, fuel moisture, and soil moisture.
  • Interpret cumulative effects of weather and drought on fire behavior
  • Coordinate with the unit Line Officer to make the go/no-go decision.
  • Conduct operations according to agency-specific policies and standards, emphasizing safety and meeting plan objectives.
  • Direct specific resources to complete operational assignments.
  • Provide for monitoring of smoke emissions for health, safety, vista impairment, and fire behavior effects.
  • Remain in communication with crew members, assigned supervisor, and adjoining forces.
  • Ensure pre-burn coordination and communication is maintained between the burn organization and other offices, agencies, air quality authorities, news media, transportation agencies, safety officials, and interested public.
  • Evaluate and document the accomplishment of fire objectives, operational procedures, and assigned personnel.
  • Ensure the post-burn narrative, time and equipment records, reports, cost summaries, and unit logs are completed as necessary.
  • Monitor implementation costs and make the appropriate notifications.
  • Conduct After Action Review at the end of the burn
  • Conduct a briefing to all participants of the burn

Position Needs

  • Unable to locate pre-requisites for this position; items listed below pertain to the RXB2:
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Ignition Specialist Type 2 AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RX-300), Leadership and Organizational Development (S-381), Introduction to fire Effects (RX-310) 

 

RXM1 RX Fire Manager Type 1, AD J

Duties:

  • The Prescribed fire Manager is responsible to the Agency Administrator for implementing and coordinating assigned prescribed fire activities. A Prescribed Fire Manager may be assigned during periods when multiple, simultaneous complex and or multiple simultaneous moderate complex prescribed fires are being conducted, multiple prescribed fires will be conducted within a short timeframe or where there is a complex interagency involvement.
  • Obtain briefings from ordering officials and/or the prior Prescribed Fire Manager
  • Review Prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation or assess the current active prescribed fire plans
  • Act as liaison/coordinator for the Prescribed Fire burn Boss, local dispatch offices, other offices and agencies, air quality authorities, news media, transportation agencies and safety officials and interested public groups
  • Obtain and interpret long-term weather information
  • Conduct strategy meetings and/or briefings as needed
  • Set priorities for allocation of resources
  • Brief Prescribe Fire Burn Bosses and direct operational assignments according to interagency policies, agency-specific policies, priorities and standards
  • Monitor overall prescribed fire operations
  • Ensure that all operations are conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with the Prescribed Fire Plans
  • Ensure completion of all required documentation, including the evaluation and documentation of accomplishments, immediate fire behavior and fire effects, operational procedures and costs summaries

Position Needs

  • Satisfactory performance as Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1, AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Manager Type 1
  • Recommended Training includes Intermediate ICS (I-300) and Fire Program Management (M-581)

 

RXM2 RX Fire Manager, Type 2, AD I

Duties:

  • The Prescribed fire Manager is responsible to the Agency Administrator for implementing and coordinating assigned prescribed fire activities. The RXM1 may be assigned during periods when multiple, simultaneous prescribed fires are being conducted, multiple prescribed fires will be conducted within a short timeframe or where there is a complex interagency involvement.
  • Obtain briefings from ordering officials and/or the prior Prescribed Fire Manager
  • Review Prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation or assess the current complex situation
  • Act as liaison/coordinator for the Prescribed Fire burn Boss, local dispatch offices, other offices and agencies, air quality authorities, news media, transportation agencies and safety officials, and interested public groups
  • Obtain and interpret long-term weather information
  • Conduct strategy meetings and/or briefings as needed
  • Set priorities for allocation of resources
  • Brief Prescribe Fire Burn Bosses and direct operational assignments according to interagency policies, agency-specific policies, priorities and standards
  • Monitor overall prescribed fire operations
  • Ensure that all operations are conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with the Prescribed Fire Plans
  • Ensure completion of all required documentation, including the evaluation and documentation of accomplishments, immediate fire behavior and fire effects, operational procedures and costs summaries

Position Needs:

  • Satisfactory performance as Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2, AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Manager Type 2
  • Recommended Training includes Intermediate ICS (I-300) and Fire Program Management (M-581)

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21