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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

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

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

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group