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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

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
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

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal