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PMS 437

Fire Danger References

  1. Other Fire Danger Resources
  2. Drought Assessment Resources
  3. Fire Danger References
  4. Publications

Other Fire Danger Resources

Alaska Fire Weather Index (FWI)

Florida Wildland Fire Danger Index (FDI)

Georgia Forestry Commission Fire Weather System

Great Lakes Fire Weather Index (FWI)

Maine Wildfire Danger Report

Michigan DNR Wildland Fire Application

Minnesota DNR Wildfire Information Center

New York State Fire Danger Map

North Carolina Fire Weather Intelligence Portal

OK-Fire, Oklahoma Mesonet

Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index

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Drought Assessment Resources

Western Water Assessment (NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments)

The Drought Monitor (National Drought Mitigation Center)

National Integrated Drought Information System (National Centers for Environmental Information)

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Fire Danger References

Online Resources

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Publications

Andrews, P. L.; Bradshaw, L. S.; Bunnell, D.; and Curcio G., Fire Danger Rating PocketCard for Firefighter Safety, Symposium on Fire and Forest Meteorology, 1997.

Bradshaw, L. S.; Deeming, J. E.; Burgan, R. E.; and Cohen, J. D., The 1978 National Fire-Danger Rating System: technical documentation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; 1984. 

Burgan, R. E., 1988 Revisions to the 1978 National Fire-Danger Rating System, USDA Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Research Paper, 1988.

Deeming, J. E.; Burgan, R. E.; and Cohen, J. D., The National Fire-Danger Rating System – 1978USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1978.

Fosberg, M. A., and Deeming, J. E., Derivation of the 1 and 10-hour timelag fuel moisture calculations for fire-danger rating, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1971.

Jolly, W.M.; Nemani, R.; and Running, S.W., A generalized, bioclimatic index to predict foliar phenology in response to climate, Global Change Biology, 2005.

Remote Sensing/Fire Weather Support Unit, Interagency Wildland Fire Weather Station Standards and Guidelines, PMS 426-3, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2014.

Nelson R.M., Jr., Prediction of diurnal change in 10-h fuel stick moisture contentCanadian Journal of Forest Research, 2000.

Schlobohm, P., and Brain, J., Gaining an Understanding of the National Fire Danger Rating System, PMS 932, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee