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PMS 411

Introduction

Fire Shelter History

Know Your Fire Shelter

Escape and Entrapment

Selecting Your Deployment Site

Deployment

During a Deployment

Training

Inspection and Care

After a Deployment

Project Reviews, Tech Tips, and Publications

Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports

Selecting Your Deployment Site

The characteristics of an effective deployment site have not changed. Your goal in selecting a deployment site is to keep the fire shelter away from heat, especially flames. Practice evaluating deployment sites so that you can recognize them quickly under stress. Identify effective sites whenever you are on the fireline so you know where they are before you need one.

A rocky mountain forest

1. Keep away from narrow draws, chutes, and chimneys. They tend to funnel smoke, flames, and hot gases that can damage your shelter.

A rocky mountain forest

2. Avoid saddles on ridgetops. They also funnel smoke and heat.


A dirt road in through wildland forest.

3. Flat areas on slopes, such as benches, or road cuts, offer some protection from radiant and convective heat. These level areas can keep you below the path of flame and convective heat. Do not deploy in the middle of a road if vehicles may be passing. A drainage ditch on the uphill side of a road cut can be an effective deployment site unless it contains fuels that could ignite and burn the shelter. Four firefighters deployed their fire shelters on this road during a burnover. All four survived with only minor burns.

A rocky mountain forest

4. Stay out of draws, even when deploying on a road.


Birds eye view of a smoke rising above trees in a forest
A rockslide with tall trees in the forefront
A rocky mountain forest.
5. Try to pick natural firebreaks such as wet meadows, wide streambeds, swampy areas, and rockslides.


A rocky mountain forest
A rocky mountain forest
6. Do not deploy in or next to tall or thick grass, small trees, trees with low branches, brush, piles of slash, or firefighting equipment such as packs, parachutes, tools, or chain saws. Firefighters have been burned because they deployed too close to such fuels. Large rockslides can be effective deployment sites, but you must stay away from brush and trees, and from fuels scattered in the rocks. Even though it can be difficult to hold the edges of the shelter down, large, jumbled rocks, rockslides sometimes offer the largest area free of fuels and may be the best option for deployment.


A rocky mountain forest

7. Ground fuels, such as grass, or tree litter, can ignite rapidly. Clear the deployment site to mineral soil if time allows. If time is critical, pick a site with the sparsest fuels.

A rocky mountain forest

8. Deploy fire shelters well away from thick vegetation such as the shrubby understory and trees.


A rocky mountain forest

9. Boulders, large rocks, buildings, vehicles, and equipment can provide buffers from the heat of the fire. Keep in mind that when vehicles, equipment, and buildings catch fire, they burn hot, and for a much longer duration than the vegetation around them. This can lead to shelters being exposed to heat for a prolonged period, well after the flame front has passed. This may keep firefighters in their shelters longer, exposed to prolonged levels of dangerous heat.

A rocky mountain forest

10. Avoid areas where rocks or logs can roll on you or snags can fall on you.


A rocky mountain forest

11. The lee side of a ridgetop can be an effective deployment site because the flames and hot gases tend to rise above the ridge. Fire intensity usually drops when fire reaches a ridge. But be alert for the possibility that firebrands might ignite fires below you on the lee side of the ridge.

A rocky mountain forest

12. Burned-out areas can be effective deployment sites if there is no fuel left to reburn. Be aware of residual heat and hotspots on the ground. Scrape the ground if possible to clear away any heat and burning materials. Burn injuries have occurred from firefighters deploying in the black that was still hot.


A rocky mountain forest
A rocky mountain forest
13. Wide areas that have been cleared of fuel, such as dozer lines or roads, can be good deployment sites, depending on the size of the area that has been cleared and the behavior of the fire.

 

A rocky mountain forest
A rocky mountain forest
14. Bodies of water can be adequate deployment zones, however you should be aware of several hazards if you find yourself having to use a body of water. Deployments can last from several minutes to an hour or more. If the water is over your head in depth, you may be at higher risk of drowning especially once your boots and clothing become waterlogged. Since water removes heat from the body much faster than air, you may be at risk of hypothermia from deployments in bodies of water. If there is a current to the water your fire shelter may be hard to hold on to or you may become entangled in your shelter and drown. The fire shelter’s ends can fill with water and become very heavy. For further information read this tech tip on deploying in bodies of water.

 

 
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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

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NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page