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Fuels: Fuels References

Online Resources

Publications

Anderson, H. E., Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1982.

Andrews, Patricia L., BehavePlus Fire Modeling System, Version 5.0: Variables, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2009.

Bradshaw, Larry S., Deeming, John E., Burgan, Robert E., Cohen, Jack D., The 1978 National Fire-Danger Rating System: Technical Documentation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1984.

Burgan, Robert E., Concepts and Interpreted Examples in Advanced Fuel Modeling, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1987.

Keane, Robert E., Garner, Janice L., Schmidt, Kirsten M., Long, Donald G., Menakis, James P., Finney, Mark A., Development of Input Data Layers for the FARSITE Fire Growth Model for the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Complex, USA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1998.

Keane, R.E, Reinhardt, E.D., Scott, J., Gray, K., Reardon, J., Estimating Forest Canopy Bulk Density Using Six Indirect Methods, NRC Canada,  2005.

Keane, Robert E.; Mincemoyer, Scott A.; Schmidt, Kirsten M.; Long, Donald G.; Garner, Janice L., Mapping vegetation and fuels for fire management on the Gila National Forest Complex, New Mexico, CD-ROM, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2000.

Rothermel, R. C., A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1972.

Rothermel, R. C., How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-143. Ogden, UT:  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1983.

Scott, J.H. and Reinhardt, E.D., Estimating Canopy Fuels in Conifer Forests, Forest Management Today. 62(4), 2002.

Scott, Joe H.; Burgan, Robert E., Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel’s surface fire spread model, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2005.

Scott, Joe H., Nomographs for estimating surface fire behavior characteristics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2007.

Stratton, Richard D., Guidebook on LANDFIRE fuels data acquisition, critique, modification, maintenance, and model calibration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2009.

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508