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Fire Behavior Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Fire Behavior Subcommittee (FBSC) provides national leadership in fire behavior assessment and prediction in support of effective fire management decision-making.

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Primary Objectives

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  • Establish and maintain standards for fire behavior assessment and prediction.
  • Provide subject matter expertise for fire behavior modeling and related decision support applications.
  • Provide technology transfer around new models, modeling practices or research.
  • Establish and regularly update wildland fire incident position standards related to FBAN and LTAN. This includes incident position descriptions and position requirements for training, experience, physical fitness, and position currency.

Overview

Overview of Fire Behavior Subcommittee - including membership, projects, and collaboration efforts (pptx)

Guidance

NWCG Firefighter Math Course

Orientation

This video provides an overview of several orientation methods and exactly how we project flat maps from a round Earth. Watch this video before diving in to the Latitude and Longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid, or the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) videos.

Time:04:36

Latitude and Longitude

This video shows how we use latitude and longitude to map the Earth using degrees. We cover several topics, including the difference between latitude and longitude, converting from degrees minutes seconds to degrees decimal minutes to decimal degrees, and back, and reading a map using latitude and longitude.

Time:05:16

Public Lands Survey System

This video gives a brief history of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), also known as Township Range Section. It shows how the sections are mapped in many areas of the United States using initial points, baselines, and meridians. We cover how to find your location on a map using the township, range, and section, as well as some of the pros and cons of this mapping system.

Time:06:15

 

Chair: Moore, Chris

NWCG Coordinator:

Parent Committee: Fire Environment Committee

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

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

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three 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 Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee