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US Forest Service

Know Before You Go When Gathering Firewood (USDA)

Gathering Firewood for Personal Use

Hot, windy days and drought conditions require an extra level of awareness and safety. You can help prevent wildfires by following these tips.

BEFORE YOU GO

  • Get a permit and a map. Know where you can gather firewood on public lands, and check for any fire restrictions.
  • Check the weather. Postpone cutting on hot, dry and windy days. Watch for fire danger ratings and red flag warnings. Be ready to put out your fire.
  • Pack a shovel, fire extinguisher, and a bucket of water. If your carelessness starts a wildfire, you may have to pay suppression costs.

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

  • Your chainsaw must have a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester.
  • A chemical or pressurized fire extinguisher (min. rating 2A).
  • A round-pointed shovel with a length of at least 35 inches.
Size
8.5x11
Geographic Area
Thumbnail
 knowgofirewoodposterD.jpg
Cause
Language
Product
Year
2017

Fire restrictions on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

11x17 Fire restrictions poster for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Size
11x17
Geographic Area
Thumbnail
Fire restrictions on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest; Red prohibited symbol with flame underneath; graphics of permitted campfire alternatives.
Cause
Language
Product
Target Audience
Year
2018

No Fires; Permitted and Prohibited Fires

11x17 fire restrictions poster. PERMITTED: Campfires are only allowed in established metal fire rings within developed areas such as campgrounds; Pressurized gas stoves and space heating devices that can be quickly turned off are allowed; Portable stoves and lanterns using liquid petroleum fuels. PROHIBITED: No open fires are allowed in dispersed, backcountry areas. Wood and charcoal fires, charcoal grills, and portable braziers are prohibited. Fires are prohibited in rock fire pits and rock fire rings.

Size
11x17
Geographic Area
Thumbnail
Nor fires in red at a slant, with red slash prohibited symbol over flames. Icons of prohibited and permitted activities
Cause
Language
Product
Target Audience
Year
2018

No Fires Due to Wildfire Danger Restrictions, 11x17

11x17 poster describing restrictions. All open fires are prohibited on the Deschutes National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District, BLM. Contains  smoking and campfire restrictions and campfire alternatives.

Size
11x17
Geographic Area
Thumbnail
No fires due to wildfire danger, flame under red prohibited slash symbol. Icons with prohibited and permitted activities for smoking restrictions, campfire alternatives, and portal signs for 4 national forests,
Cause
Language
Product
Target Audience
Year
2018

Prevent Wildfires While Target Shooting (Target near rock)

Prevent Wildfires While Target Shooting flyer. 

  • Bring a shovel and water or fire extinguisher to put out a fire.
  • Place your targets on dirt or gravel, away from grass.
  • If fire danger is high, consider shooting at an established outdoor or indoor range.
  • Don’t shoot with steel core ammo.
  • Exploding targets, tracer ammo and incendiary ammo are illegal on public lands.
  • Don’t shoot trash like TVs or other appliances.
  • Don’t smoke or park near dry grass.
Size
8.5x11
Geographic Area
Thumbnail
Prevent wildfires while target shooting. Border with target sheet on a post, in front of a rock and spark near burning grass in background. Forest Service shield, National Forest Portal sign
Language
Target Audience
Year
2018

License Holder insert

This is a business card size insert that printed front and back on preforated Avery business card stock. It contains more specific customized information about current restrictions and can be placed into hunting fishing license holders.

Size
3.5x2
Thumbnail
Prohibited: exploding targets, tracer rounds and fireworks; respected access is open access; help protect your public lands
Language
Target Audience
Year
2018
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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal