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PMS 437

Fuel Moisture Sampling

  1. Online Fuel Moisture Sampling History
  2. Fuel Moisture Sampling Procedures

Online Fuel Moisture Sampling History

Fuel moisture sampling can provide useful insight to current conditions if it is done consistently throughout each fire season. Results from sampling efforts around the United States are stored in the National Fuel Moisture Database. Results for sampling history of both live and dead fuels are available for locations around the United States.

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Fuel Moisture Sampling Procedures

General Guidelines

  • Record site name, date, time, observer name, observed weather, general site description.
  • DO NOT collect samples if water drops or dew are present on samples.
  • Keep samples in a cool and dry location.
  • Seal containers with tape that will not leave residue.

Live Fuel Samples

  • Only collect foliage or needles and very small twigs remove flowers, seeds, nuts, or berries.
  • Pack containers loosely to avoid spillage but ensure container is full.
  • Include stems of herbaceous plants.
  • Replace lid on container immediately after collecting sample.

Dead Fuel Samples

  • Samples should not be attached to live trees or shrubs.
  • Avoid decayed samples that crumble or splinter when rubbed.
  • Collect samples from several different plants.
  • Ensure container is full or about 20 grams.
  • Do not collect buried samples.
  • Pick samples of different size within the time lag class.
  • Recently fallen material should be avoided.
  • Remove all lichen, moss, and very loose bark from sample.

Duff and Soil Samples

  • Remove all soil and live tree or plant roots from sample.
  • Avoid any soil particles in duff samples and vice versa.

Litter Samples

  • Collect only uncompacted dry litter from both sunny and shady areas.

Handling and Measuring Samples

  • Preheat drying oven between 60°C (140°F) – 100°C (212°F). Be sure to note temp used.
  • Place sample cans with closed lids on scale and record wet weights.
  • Remove lid just prior to placing in oven. If material is lost, re-weigh sample
  • Dry sample for 24 hours (very wet samples 48 hours).
  • Replace Lids immediately after sample is removed from oven and weigh
  • Calculate fuel moisture using worksheet provided here:
Fuel moisture sampling and estimation. This table provides means for tracking sample weights and calculating gravimetric fuel moisture.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

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