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

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Devils Creek Fire

Review the events of the Devils Creek Fire Entrapment and discuss significant lessons learned.
Category: Operations
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making, Fire Shelters and Entrapment Avoidance
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 4:01

Intent

Review the events of the Devils Creek fire and discuss significant lessons learned.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video, module tools, and additional resources listed below.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a discussion using the discussion questions below.
  • Conduct additional activities if pertinent to your location.

Discussion Questions

  1. On the Devils Creek fire, a complex firing operation rapidly devolved into a multi-casualty incident. How can you prepare for the worst-case scenario?
    1. How do you ensure resource accountability during unforeseen events?
    2. Have you used trigger points in the past? How will you adjust your view or use of trigger points based on this event?
    3. What is your local response plan for medical emergencies?
  2. The Serious Accident Investigation reminds us “Always wear PPE (including gloves) when working on the fireline, as conditions can change rapidly and put firefighters in jeopardy of burn injuries. Consider using a shroud to protect the head, neck, and face from heat when working on the fireline.”
    1. Do you wear all articles of personal protective equipment (PPE) all the time, regardless of fireline conditions? How might you adjust your habits or PPE configuration to be better prepared for rapid changes?
    2. Discuss the importance of wearing proper PPE. How did PPE mitigate the severity of injures on this incident?
  3. As stated in the Serious Accident Investigation, “Radio communication in this area has been a constant and well-documented problem on the district. The incident relied on the cell phone as a single point of communication. This normalization of risk could easily have been a contributing factor.”
    1. Recall a time when communication issues created difficulties for you on an incident. How did you mitigate the problem?
    2. Are cell phones an acceptable method of incident communication? Why or why not?

Resources

Additional Video Information

This video is also available as a download  (zip file, size 52MB) 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.

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Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
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For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

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Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

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Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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Date: Sep 5, 2025
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Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources