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National Fuel Geyser Awareness

Fuel Geyser Triangle with Fuel, Heat, and Pressure as the sides.

Click Here to Report Fuel Geyser Incidents

 

What is a fuel geyser?

The rapid and energetic expulsion of heated fuel in a closed container when a fuel container is quickly depressurized. Heat and agitation causes the pressure increase. A delayed fuel geyser can occur after the fuel container is opened.

 

 

What does a fuel geyser look like?

Why is this important to me?

Over the last two years three significant burn injuries have occurred on prescribed fire and wildland fire incidents. Many additional fuel geyser incidents have been reported. These events happen frequently and have the potential to harm users of power equipment and people refueling power equipment. If you experience or have experienced a fuel geyser please report it.

Incident Reports

The following reports contain incidents where fuel geysers have occurred:

What do I need to know to protect myself?

Fuel geysers can happen anytime when there is fuel, heat & pressure from small gasoline-powered engines, chainsaws, leaf blowers, portable pumps, even when opening fuel transport containers.

Fuel geysers have resulted in injury when sprayed fuel and vapor ignite.

Appropriate precautions when there is fuel, heat & pressure, may prevent significant burns in the event of fuel spray.

  • Always assume fuel tanks and fuel containers are pressurized.
  • Ensure the cap is correctly secured.
  • Always check fuel levels before opening the fuel tank or filler cap. Fuel levels greater than ½ tank may geyser.
  • Move at least 20 feet or more from any heat source. 
  • For safety cans with pour spouts, direct potential spray away.
  • Cover the cap with a rag to contain potential fuel geyser spray.
  • Be extra vigilant when equipment is running poorly with fuel levels above ½ tank.
  • Start the saw at least 10 feet from the fueling area.
  • Do not use fuel older than one month.

If the equipment is running poorly or vapor lock is suspected:

  1. Do not open fuel cap. Relieving the pressure does not alleviate a “vapor lock” equipment.
  2. Check fuel level through the tank or use the bar oil level to gage fuel level.
  3. If fuel level is over ½ full, DO NOT open the tank.
  4. Allow the equipment to thoroughly cool. This could take over 45 minutes.
  5. When the equipment is cool, restart the equipment.

It’s YOUR job to protect yourself and others. Know how to handle your equipment to avoid fuel geysers anytime there is fuel, heat & pressure.

What should I do If I experience a fuel geyser?

Please REPORT every fuel geyser incident you experience!

The information you provide our engineers can mean the difference between one of our employees getting injured or not.

To report an incident go to Fuel Geyser Incident Reporting Form.

Location of Incidents

View a map of fuel geysering incidents and fuel requirements.

Videos

Video: USFS - Fuel Geysering: Predictable?

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal