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Fuel Moisture: Fuel Moisture References

Online Resources

National Fuel Moisture Database

NDVI Greenness Resources

1-hr Fuel Moisture (SimpleFFMC – Nelson Model)

Publications

Agee, James K, Wright, Clinton S.  Williamson, Nathan, and Huff, Mark H.; Foliar Moisture Content of Pacific Northwest Vegetation and its Relation to Wildland Fire Behavior; Forest Ecology and Management, 2002.

Burgan, R.E., Estimating live fuel moisture for the 1978 National Fire Danger Rating System—1978, USDA Forest Service. Research Paper, 1979.

Burgan, R.E.; Hartford, R.A., Monitoring vegetation greenness with satellite data, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1993.

Burgan, Robert E.; Hartford, Roberta A.; Eidenshink, Jeffery C., Using NDVI to assess departure from average greenness and its relation to fire business, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1996.

Fosberg, M. A., and J. E. Deeming,  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.

Hirsch, Kelvin G., Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System: User’s Guide, Canadian Forest Service Special Report, 1996.

Jolly, William M., Nemani, R. and Running, S.W., A generalized, bioclimatic index to predict foliar phenology in response to climate, Global Change Biology 11(4), 2005.

Jolly, W. Matt; Hadlow, Ann M.; Huguet, Kathleen, De-coupling seasonal changes in water content and dry matter to predict live conifer foliar moisture content, International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2014.

Jolly, W. Matt, Hintz, J., Kropp, R., and Conrad, E.,  Physiological drivers of the live foliar moisture content ‘spring dip’ in Pinus resinosa and Pinus banksiana and their relationship to foliar flammability, International Conference on Forest Fire Research, 2014.

Jolly, W.M.,  Development of fine dead fuel moisture field references for the Southeastern United States: SimpleFFMC, USDA Forest Service RMRS Fire Sciences Laboratory, 2016.

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

Norum, Rodney A.; Miller, Melanie, Measuring fuel moisture content in Alaska: standard methods and procedures, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1984.

Rothermel, Richard C., How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1983.

Schlobohm, P. and Brain, J., Gaining an Understanding of the National Fire Danger Rating System, PMS 932/NFES 2665, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002.

Schroeder, Mark J.,  Ignition probability, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1969.

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2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
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  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
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  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
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  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1