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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

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

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

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal