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Fuel Moisture: NASA SPoRT Land Information System

The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center has developed a Real-Time Land Information System (LIS), using satellite-derived datasets, ground-based observations, and model reanalysis to inform weather models with influences from the land surface. The link, above, allows you to select data by date and product but, for near real-time observations, the SPoRT Viewer may be easier to navigate and explore.

Products are updated daily and include:

  • Volumetric Soil Moisture represents actual moisture in a soil column.
  • Relative Soil Moisture represents the soil moisture for a given soil column on a relative scale between soil saturation and wilting levels.
  • Column-Integrated Relative Soil Moisture combines four column depths down to 200cm.
  • Green Vegetation Fraction-current and trends-from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
  • Land surface temperature and Heat Flux.

Soil Moisture products evaluate conditions at five levels:

  • 0-10 cm – relates most directly to the Fire Weather Index (FWI) Du Moisture Code, or DMC
  • 10-40 cm – relates most directly to the FWI Drought Code, or DC
  • 40-100 cm
  • 100-200 cm
  • 0-200 cm Integrated Column

Available at 3km resolutions for the Continental U.S. (CONUS), analysts should consider using the following:

Column-Integrated Relative Soil Moisture products to assess current drought levels and changes over one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, and one year.

Green Vegetation Fraction products that are updated daily in lieu of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) that are updated on only a weekly basis. Current conditions are augmented by 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 4-month, and 1-year change products.

Relative Soil Moisture products that may be correlated to fuel moisture contents applied in fire effects and fire spread models. A 0-10 cm 1-day change product provides an assessment of rainfall effects on the top soil layer that relates to fuel moisture in carrier fuels.

Image
Relative Soil Moisture for top 2 centimeters. Example graphic from the SPoRT Land Information System for April 18th of 2017.

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Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
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Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

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NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
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Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources