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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Quick View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

Note: If the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster

Title Steward Status Definition
Automatic Weather Station FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

A non-GOES telemetered weather station that provides hourly observations to a local database.

automatically regulated IABS Interagency Airtanker Base Subcommittee Approved

A proportioning method or device that readily adjusts to changes in water flow and or pressure to maintain a desired mix ratio.

autorotation NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

A helicopter flight condition in which the lifting rotor is driven entirely by action of air when the helicopter is in motion.

auxiliary pump ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A secondary pump on an engine in addition to the main pump. Usually of small capacity.

available Proposed New

The resource can be used to fill a request. Resources on preposition incidents qualify as available.

available fuel FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

That portion of the total fuel that would actually burn under various environmental conditions.

available resources NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

Resources assigned to an incident and available for assignment.

average annual precipitation FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

The expected amount of annual rainfall. Average annual precipitation is an important component to determining the Keech-Bryam Drought Index (KBDI).

average relative humidity FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

The mathematical average of the maximum and minimum relative humidities measured at a fire weather station from one basic observation time to the next.

average temperature FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

According to the American Meteorological Society, the average temperature of the air as indicated by a properly exposed thermometer during a given time period, usually a day, a month, or a year.

aviation call sign NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

Communication call sign assigned as a unique identifier to an aircraft.

avoidance FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A smoke emission control strategy that considers meteorological conditions when scheduling prescribed fires in order to avoid incursions into smoke sensitive areas.

awareness IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived

The continual process of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence, information, and knowledge to allow organizations and individuals to anticipate requirements and to react effectively and safely.

azimuth [measurement technique] WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Horizontal angle or bearing of a point measured clockwise from true (astronomic) north.

azimuth circle IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived

A circle graduated in 360 degrees in a clockwise direction from true (astronomic) north.

back azimuth IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived

Angle or bearing 180 degrees opposite of azimuth.

back bearing Approved

A back bearing is measured from the object to your position. It is the exact opposite of a direct bearing.

backburn FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Used in some localities to specify fire set to spread against the wind in prescribed burning.

backdraft FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures.

backfire FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire or change the direction of force of the fire's convection column.

backfire torch ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A flame generating device (e.g., a fount containing diesel oil or kerosene and a wick, or a backpack pump serving a flame-jet).

backfiring FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A tactic associated with indirect attack, intentionally setting fire to fuels inside the control line to slow, knock down, or contain a rapidly spreading fire. Backfiring provides a wide defense perimeter and may be further employed to change the force of the convection column. Backfiring makes possible a strategy of locating control lines at places where the fire can be fought on the firefighter's terms. Except for rare circumstance meeting specified criteria, backfiring is executed on a command decision made through line channels of authority. 

background level FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

In air pollution control, the concentration of air pollutants in a definite area during a fixed period of time prior to the starting up, or the stoppage, of a source of emission under control. In toxic substances monitoring, the average presence in the environment, originally referring to naturally-occurring phenomena. 

backing fire FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee, WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

That portion of the fire with slower rates of fire spread and lower intensity normally moving into the wind and/or down slope.

backing fire [spread] FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee, WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Fire spreading, or ignited to spread, into (against) the wind or downslope. A fire spreading on level ground in the absence of wind is a backing fire.

backing wind FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

According to the American Meteorological Society, in the Northern Hemisphere, a wind that rotates in the counterclockwise direction with increasing height. In fire management usage, in the Northern Hemisphere, a wind that rotates in the counterclockwise direction over a given time period (normally a few hours).

backpack pump ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A portable sprayer with hand-pump, fed from a liquid filled container fitted with straps, used mainly in fire and pest control.

baffle NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A partitioned wall placed in vehicular or aircraft water tanks to reduce shifting of the water load when starting, stopping or turning.

ball valve ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A valve in which fluid flow is controlled by a ball with a hole drilled through it. In one position, fluid flows through the hole. When the valve is turned 90 degrees (1/4 turn) the hole is perpendicular to the flow and the ball stops the flow. Intermediate valve positions can be used to adjust the flow. 

Bambi Bucket NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

A collapsible bucket slung below a helicopter. Used to dip water from a variety of sources for fire suppression.

bandwidth RSUSC Wildland Fire Radio Standards and Use Committee Approved

The efficiency technology of either 25 KHz or 12.5 KHz in the frequency bands within the UHF/VHF ranges.

banking snags IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The act of throwing mineral soil about the base of an unlighted snag to prevent its being ignited by a surface fire.

Barbeque/smoker
barometer FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

According to the American Meteorological Society, an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.

barometric pressure FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

Atmospheric pressure corrected for elevation.

barrier IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Any obstruction to the spread of fire. Typically an area or strip devoid of combustible fuel.

base [incident] NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A location where personnel coordinate and administer logistics functions for anincident. There is typically only one base per incident. (An incident name or other designator is added to the term Base.) The ICP may be co-located with the Incident Base.

base [initial attack] NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The location of initial attack forces.

base area FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

An area representative of the major fire problems on a protection unit. Base fuel model and slope class are chosen from the base area.

base fuel model FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

A representation of the vegetative cover and fuel in a base area. Used in the calculation of fire danger rating.

base hours IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

The number of hours in a daily tour of duty.

base line Approved

An imaginary line on the ground running east-west (horizontal) measured with special accuracy to provide a base for surveying.

base observation time FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

The time established to take the fire danger observations. It should be at the time of day when the fire danger is normally the highest. The usually agreed upon time is 1:00 pm standard time. This allows time to transmit observations and prepare forecasts. 

base station NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

A fixed central radio dispatching station controlling movements of one or more mobile units.

baseline FMC Fuels Management Committee Approved

In prescribed burning, the initial line of fire, usually set as a backing fire along a barrier or control line, which serves to contain subsequent burning operations.

Basic Life Support RMC Risk Management Committee Approved

Basic life support skills performed by an EMS practitioner or service, e.g. splinting, bandaging, oxygen administration, use of the AED.

basic workweek IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Refers to the scheduled workweek of the employee (individual) at the home unit.

batch mix ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Manually adding and mixing a concentrated chemical, such as liquid foam, or powdered or liquid retardant with water, or gelling agents with fuel, into solution in a tank or container.

Battery
Battery/charger
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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeep of current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeep of current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

  • Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
  • Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
  • Do you need help building capacity?
  • What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03