Skip to main content

RT-130 (WFSTAR)

WFSTAR Overview

WFSTAR Catalog

Course Delivery Information

Core Components

2025 Fire Year in Review

2026 Core Components Module Package

Target Audience

FAQ

Historical Modules (Archived)

 

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.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capabilities and Limitations

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 Minutes
Video Length: 9:24

Remote Video

Intent

Enhance firefighters’ abilities to effectively use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) through increased knowledge of UAS operations and mission profiles.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools. Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the geographic location and your respective agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

Show the video. Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions. Present the scenario below and guide students through the exercise.

Scenario

You are the Firing Boss for a prescribed burning operation on your home unit. It is late March. This burn unit is 700 acres. You have five Type 6 engine crews and a hotshot crew for this project. The area is prescribed burned every 4 years. This burn unit is in a hardwood forest. The fuel types are a compact leaf litter layer interspersed with a small amount of 10-hour fuels. 

 

A forest filled with numerous trees the ground covered with rich brown leaves.
Image 1

The terrain is relatively flat with small rolling hills. One unit boundary is a dirt road, two boundaries can only be patrolled on foot and border private land, and one boundary is a steep cliff with a 70ft drop into a drainage. Structures at risk are a large wooden footbridge over a stream and a lean-to. What factors would you consider when making the determination whether to order a UAS crew for assistance? 

Conduct Activity (Optional)

  • Divide the class.
  • Give each group the Activity Questions below.
  • Discuss group responses.

Activity Questions

  1. What are the safety protocols firefighters should follow when UAS are operating in the airspace above you?
  2. What is the process for reporting aviation near misses during firefighting operations?
  3. Discuss past experiences where there has been a miscommunication with aviation. How could the miscommunication have been prevented?
  4. How do you get ahold of UAS crews on your radio?
  5. Can UAS be used to help mitigate hazards and if so which hazards?
  6. Can you think of any ways that UAS could save resources time and energy?

Resources 

Table of Abbreviations
ADS-B  Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast
AOBD    Air Operations Branch Director
ATGSAttack Group Supervisor
BVLOS    Beyond Visual Line of Site
EO/IR Electro-Optical/Infra-Red
FTAFire Traffic Area
TFRTemporary Flight Restrictions
UASUnmanned Aircraft Systems

Additional Video Information

The video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.28 GB) with .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, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

Please Provide Feedback

Indicates required field

If you would like to provide feedback, NWCG values your constructive input.

Would you like a response?

Although contact information is optional, we hope that you provide a way for us to contact you in case we need clarification on your comment. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, you must provide contact information. 

CAPTCHA
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Printer Friendly Version

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

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