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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

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)

Fire Danger References

Online Resources

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 – 1978, USDA 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 content, Canadian 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

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2