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Fire Danger Background

  1. General References
  2. NFDRS Structure

General References

Fire Danger ratings are an effective part of daily risk rating and operational preparedness for fire management agencies across the world. Chapter 10 – Preparedness of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations outlines processes and resources applied in the development of standard Fire Danger Operating Plans in the United States.

Included in Fire Danger Operating Plans are:

  • Specification of fire danger ratings.
  • Identification of climatological thresholds for administrative purposes. Default thresholds include the 90th and 97th percentile values for key indices in the applied system. The Bureau of Land Management (Department of Interior) uses the 80th and 95th percentiles instead.
  • Communication of those danger ratings, including both internal and external forms.

Some valuable links:

A variety of fire weather systems are applied in danger rating around the United States. There are primarily two systems used in fire danger operating plans.

U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS):

First introduced in 1964, NFDRS has been updated in 1972, 1978, 1988, and now 2016 to integrate newer science and improved processing. This guide will compare important aspects of the 1978, 1988, and 2016 versions, detail important outputs, and describe primary components and indices. More information about the system and the latest update to it can be found at:

NFDRS Information Page

NWCG Fire Danger Subcommittee Website

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) Fire Weather Index (FWI) System

CFFDRS was introduced in Canada in 1970. Implemented in Alaska and the lake states of Michigan,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Details about CFFDRS are included a separate section of this guide. The following websites provide data access:

Other tools, formulations, and applications are used locally across the country. Some examples are highlighted later, in the  Fire Danger References Section.

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NFDRS Structure

Image
Structure and Process Flow of the 2016 National Fire Danger Rating System.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were 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 January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were 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 January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These 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 and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

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

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were 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 January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page