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PMS 515

PMS 515

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

UAS Program Administration

UAS Typing and Call Signs

Operational Requirements

Mission Planning and Mobilization

Airspace Coordination

Mission Flight Procedures

Aircraft Coordination and Separation

UAS Aerial Ignition

Safety Considerations

UAS Incursions

Job Aids for UAS Operations

Website References

Airspace Coordination

Airspace standards are referenced in the NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination, PMS 520.

Fire Traffic Area (FTA) Protocol

Firefighting aircraft follow a communications protocol known as the FTA, which is a 12-mile radius from the center point of an incident. UAS are typically launched and recovered from inside the FTA. UASPs must follow this protocol before the aircraft is launched.

  1. All wildland fire incidents, regardless of aircraft on scene, have an FTA. Reference the FTA diagram and find more information in NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. The airspace surrounding an incident is managed by the aerial supervisor who must implement FTA procedures. If an incident has an active TFR in place, FTA rules apply to the TFR, and clearance from the controlling aircraft is required prior to TFR UAS operations. If aerial supervision is not on scene, the first aircraft on scene will establish the FTA protocol.
  2. The FTA is a communication protocol for firefighting agencies. It does not pertain to other aircraft who have legal access within a TFR (medevac, law enforcement, media, Visual Flight Rule [VFR] airport traffic, or Instrument Flight Rule [IFR] traffic cleared by the FAA).
  3. Key components and procedures of the FTA include:
    1. Initial Communication (ICOM) Ring: A ring 12 nautical miles (nm) from the center point of the incident. At or prior to 12nm, inbound aircraft contact the ATGS or appropriate aerial resource for permission to proceed to the incident. Briefing information is provided to the inbound aircraft by the aerial supervision resources over the incident (ATGS, ASM, and HLCO).
    2. No Communication (NOCOM) Ring: A ring 7nm from the center point of the incident that should not be crossed by inbound aircraft without first establishing communications with the appropriate aerial supervision resource.
    3. Three Cs of initial contact: Communication requirements and related actions to be undertaken by the pilot of the inbound aircraft:
      1. Communication: Establish communications with the controlling aerial supervision resource over the incident (ATGS, ASM, HLCO).
      2. Clearance: Receive clearance from aerial supervision prior to proceeding with UAS operations. The inbound pilot will acknowledge receipt of clearance or hold outside the NOCOM ring or on the ground, until the clearance is received and understood.
      3. Comply: UAS aircraft will comply with clearance from aerial supervision resource. If compliance cannot be accomplished, the UAS will remain on the ground until an amended clearance is received and understood.
  4. UAS departing incident airspace must follow assigned departure route and altitude. Aerial supervisors must establish/deconflict routes for departing aircraft through or away from other incident aircraft operations.
  5. UAS flights by accredited news representatives within a TFR shall adhere to current FAA policy.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

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

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee