Skip to main content

 

 

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

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.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1