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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of wildland firefighters hiking down a valley to a fire. Black topo map and WFSTAR logo on left.

Wildland Fire Investigation and Fire Origin Protection

Define the role of fire investigation in both fire prevention and fire suppression. Define the role of first responder in fire investigation. Review fire origin protection best practices for first responders during initial suppression. Explore paths to becoming a Wildland Fire Investigator.
Category: Operations
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 40 minutes
Video Length: 14:33

Remote Video

Intent

Define the role of fire investigation in both fire prevention and fire suppression. Define the role of first responders in fire investigation. Review fire origin protection best practices for first responders during initial suppression. Explore paths to becoming a Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF).

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.
  • Consider inviting a local agency INVF or wildland fire prevention educator to provide pertinent context and input for discussions.
  • Reference the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Provide copies of the NWCG IRPG for students to utilize and answer questions.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss your unit or module’s procedures for fire origin protection.
    1. Identify other first responders in your area. How might their fire origin protection procedures differ from yours?
  2. Discuss wildland fire investigation in your local response area.
    1. Identify (and, if present, introduce) local INVFs and Wildland Fire Investigation Team Leaders (INVL).
    2. List common human-caused fire trends in your area.
    3. Discuss local fire cause types that may be considered a crime or a civil offense.
    4. Review fire investigation policy for your area/agency. When should law enforcement be called in to assist with the fire investigation?
  3. Scenario: You have been dispatched to a wildfire in the wildland urban interface bordering your agency protection area. As a first responder, what actions do you take related to fire investigation? (Refer to the Fire Origin Protection Checklist in the NWCG IRPG.)
    1. Discuss your actions as first responder.
    2. What do you see? What do you take note of? What do you protect?
    3. Who do you notify? Who can you call to assist you?
    4. How do you identify potential origin areas? What actions can you take to protect the origin?
  4. What fire cause categories and circumstances of the causes should you be aware of when you arrive at the scene of a wildfire incident? (Refer to Ignition Factors and Sources in the Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412.)
    1. Identify and discuss cause categories common to your local response area.
  5. Discuss training paths and qualification requirements to expand your knowledge of fire investigation. (Refer to the NWCG Position Catalog and NWCG Training Course Catalog.)
    1. Which topics presented in FI-110, Wildland Fire Observations and Origin Scene Protection for First Responders would you find most beneficial as a wildland fire first responder?
    2. Identify required training and experience for INVF qualification.
    3. Discuss fire investigation training opportunities in your local area.

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 574GB) with the .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
  • Note: For Chrome and Firefox, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

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

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

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. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters