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Collection of Historical Photographs, Thirtymile Fire

Click the image to enlarge.

Aerial Sequence:

Aerial photo of deployment site looking northeast

Aerial photo of deployment site looking northeast.

Aerial photo of deployment site looking northwest

Aerial photo of deployment site looking northwest.

 
Aerial photo of deployment site looking west

Aerial photo of deployment site looking west.

Aerial photo of deployment site looking southwest

Aerial photo of deployment site looking southwest.

 
Aerial photo of deployment site looking south

Aerial photo of deployment site looking south.

Aerial photo looking down at the deployment site

Aerial photo looking down at the deployment site.

 

Entrapment Site:

On the road at deployment site

On the road at deployment site.

Fire shelter on sandbar

Fire shelter on sandbar.

 
Deployment site looking southwest

Deployment site looking southwest.

Looking southwest at remains of civilian vehicle

Looking southwest at remains of civilian vehicle.

 
Deployment site, shelters along the side of the road.

Deployment site, shelters along the side of the road.

Deployment site, remains of civilian vehicle

Deployment site, remains of civilian vehicle.

 
Shelters at deployment site.

Shelters at deployment site.

Looking upslope towards the fatality site from the road.

Looking upslope towards the fatality site from the road.

 
Looking up at fatality site from road

Looking up at fatality site from road.

Looking up at rock scree deployment area

Looking up at rock scree deployment area.

 
Looking up at area where rock scree group had gathered to watch the approaching fire.

Looking up at area where rock scree group had gathered to watch the approaching fire.

Fire shelter in rock scree deployment area

Fire shelter in rock scree deployment area.

 
Looking down towards road from rock sree

Looking down towards road from rock sree.

Looking down towards road from rock sree

Looking down towards road from rock sree.

 
Looking southwest from rock scree

Looking southwest from rock scree.

 

Fire Behavior:

Smoke column on July 10

Smoke column on July 10.

Smoke column of Thirtymile fire

Smoke column of Thirtymile fire.

 
The approaching crown fire

The approaching crown fire.

View of Fire Crossing the Road from the Lunch Site Area Just After 4:34 p.m. (Entiat IHC and Engine #701 in foreground.)

View of Fire Crossing the Road from the Lunch Site Area Just After 4:34 p.m. (Entiat IHC and Engine #701 in foreground.)

 
Typical conditions in the area prior to fire

Typical conditions in the area prior to fire.

Conditions post fire in areas where there was little or no torching.

Conditions post fire in areas where there was little or no torching.

 
At the Lunch Site After 3 p.m

At the Lunch Site After 3 p.m.

Crown fire approaching deployment site

Crown fire approaching deployment site.

 
Ash and ember wash at deployment site

Ash and ember wash at deployment site.

View Across the River Just Prior to Deployment

View Across the River Just Prior to Deployment.

 
Aerial view of fire effects

Aerial view of fire effects.

Aerial view of fire effects

Aerial view of fire effects.

 
Overview of the Thirtymile Fire footprint

Overview of the Thirtymile Fire footprint.

View of the blowup from the road near the lunch site

View of the blowup from the road near the lunch site.

 

Fire Effects:

Post fire effects on the road near the deployment area

Post fire effects on the road near the deployment area.

Fire effects on the road leading to deployment area

Fire effects on the road leading to deployment area.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee