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RT-130 (WFSTAR)

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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.

Deer Creek Fire Pyro-Vortex

This module reviews the warning signs and hazards of a pyro-vortex by examining a well-documented event that occurred at 12:50 p.m. on the Deer Creek Fire in Utah on July 12, 2025. This pyro-vortex was large enough and caused enough damage for the National Weather Service to classify the incident as an EF2 tornado based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. The tornado activity was likely influenced by local weather patterns and convective heat.
Category: Fire-Environment
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 7:52

Remote Video

Intent

This module reviews the warning signs and hazards of a pyro-vortex by examining a well-documented event that occurred at 12:50 p.m. on the Deer Creek Fire in Utah on July 12, 2025. 

This pyro-vortex was large enough and caused enough damage for the National Weather Service to classify the incident as an EF2 tornado based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. The tornado activity was likely influenced by local weather patterns and convective heat.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools
  • Refresh your knowledge on Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones.
  • Research the differences between a pyro-vortex tornado and a fire whirl.

Facilitating the Discussion

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

Discussion Questions

  1. What must be established and known to all firefighters before it is needed?
  2. Refer to the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, to identify and apply the appropriate Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations relevant to this incident. In small groups, discuss which orders or situations you selected and why.
  3. Although fire tornadoes are unpredictable, what warning signs were present on the Deer Creek Fire?  

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • The video is also available as a download (Size 1.14GB); 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

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

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