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PMS 437

Fire Assessment: A Process to Follow

  1. Before an Assignment
  2. Assigned and Enroute
  3. On Scene Fire Assessment
  4. Determine Decision Thresholds to Ensure LCES
  5. Document Your Assessment

What Makes a Good Analyst (Mark Finney...FBSC YouTube Video)

Time: 07:19

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Before an Assignment

  • Evaluate Weather Forecasts and Outlooks
  • Consider local climatology and critical fire weather patterns
  • Review area Pocket Cards and current season severity
  • Review yesterday’s fire activity and notable fire behavior

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Assigned and Enroute

  • Get on scene weather reports from yesterday, overnight and current conditions
  • Assess maps and photos of the fire area with current perimeters and recent activity
  • Ask for Spot Forecast and confer with fire weather forecaster
  • Interpret sky and smoke conditions for stability, wind speed and direction, and burning intensity.

 

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On Scene Fire Assessment

  • Request current weather observation and validate your forecast. Is your fireline exposed to or sheltered from the expected winds?
  • Get a picture of current fire activity level.
  • Anticipate today’s next big changes. Do you anticipate changes? When?
  • Characterize fuels (fuel types, loadings, moistures) adjacent to your fire, especially where folks are working and where fire could move.
  • Inventory of significant terrain features ahead of the fire. Will it burn upslope or down?
  • Continue to monitor the sky for cloud and smoke indicators.
  • Estimate the fire behavior you anticipate in view of the current situation and the expected changes. What spread rates do you anticipate? What flame lengths? Do you anticipate crown fire? Spotting across your lines or long range?

 

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Determine Decision Thresholds to Ensure LCES

  • Determine time frames for escape to safety and escape routes. What windspeeds or changes in fire behavior will render those time frames insufficient?
  • Identify best locations and methods for lookout to monitor and validate your assessment.
  • Ensure that weather and fire behavior observations are communicated to the entire crew.
  • Will fatigue and logistics factors impact these decisions?

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Document Your Assessment

  • Record your observations and assumptions.
  • Use worksheets and include notes for each assessment.
  • Include assessments and decisions in personal logs.
  • Remember: If you’re not keeping score, it’s just practice.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

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

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

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Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)