Collection of Historical Photographs, Loop Fire

Click the image to enlarge.

El Cariso Hot Shots 1966.

Smoke from the Loop Fire.

Fire behavior mid slope on the Loop Fire.

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire.

Smoke visible as Loop fire progresses downhill.

Smoke and flames visible as Loop fire continues to spread.

Tanker drop on the Loop Fire.

Flames visible close to neighborhood on Loop Fire.

Large smoke column as Loop Fire burns.

Looking up at chimney canyon from Pacoima Canyon Road.

Walking in the chimney canyon where fatalities occurred.

Looking down the chimney canyon fatality site.

Standing in the chimney canyon fatality site.

Looking down the chimney canyon.

Walking out the chimney canyon.

Looking south from entrapment area.

Looking north from the bottom of the chimney canyon.

Looking north from the bottom of the chimney canyon.

Terrain in the chimney canyon.

Slopes in the entrapment area.

Looking down at Pacoima Canyon Road.

Structure engine in neighborhood at the edge of the Loop Fire.

County crews working at the bottom of the Loop Fire.

Helicopter and flames in the fatality area.

Investigators along the ridge.

Investigators discussing on the ridge above fatality site.

Looking up the chimney canyon after the fire.

Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire.

Markers in the fatality area during investigation.

Looking down the chimney canyon after the fire.

Looking down the ridge after the fire.

View of subdivision from the top of the Loop Fire area.

View of the community at the base of the Loop Fire area.

Looking down at development near the base of the Loop Fire area.

Los Angeles Times Newspaper Photos

Newspaper photo and article of three survivors separated from other crewmembers.

Newspaper photo and three survivors sitting in chairs at Memorial Hospital.

Newspaper photo of three survivors saying, "Fire just blew up."

Attendants and doctors care for injured firefighters at hospital in two news photos taken the day of incident.

Montrose Rescue Team member holds a blackened canteen at site where 10 firemen died.

Ambulance attendants and nurses transfer Bob Chaurnard, injured firefighter, to ambulance to be transported to hospital.

Ambulance attendants and nurses transfer Bob Chaurnard, injured firefighter, to ambulance to be transported to Memorial Hospital.

Rescue team remove bodies of firefighters from helicopters at the end of Pacoima Canyon Road.

Ambulance crew transports injured firefighter Steve Bowman on a gurney to General Hospital.

Photo of flames burning heavily on a hillside behind buildings near the Olive View Sanatorium.

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
Cost Unit Leader (COST)
Crew Representative (CREP)
Deck Coordinator (DECK)
Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
Field Observer (FOBS)
Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
Ordering Manager (ORDM)
Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.