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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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

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

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee