Firefighting Safety Information

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The links on this page have been compiled by the U.S. Fire Administration to provide wildland and structural firefighters with the latest safety and situational information.

Wildland Fire Operations Risk Management Information Paper

Emphasis on risk management in wildland fire operations for 2007, including situational awareness and key points for risk management. Read More »

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Safety Alerts

The Safety Alert system is intended to provide safety-related information to the field in the shortest possible timeframe. It is a Web-based system that sends the alerts as an e-mail message to a list of recipients within each agency. Those recipients are in turn expected to forward the message as soon as possible to subordinates, co-workers and interested parties within their organization. The expectation is that the messages will continue to be forwarded within the appropriate fire and safety communities, down to the lowest levels, and that they will receive a wide distribution in a short period of time. Visit the NWCG Web site to read posted alerts.

Latest Alerts:

6/23/08: Safety Advisory: Incident Emergency Medical Task Group
6/17/08: Safety Advisory: Firefighter Safety Stand Down
4/24/08: Firefighters Concerned about Fire Shelter Length

Wildfire Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher

Focuses on operations and decision-making issues related to fireline safety and includes information on current initiatives, the upcoming fire season, and any policy/ guidance changes. The annual refresher is provided in order to help recognize risk, maintain safe practices, and reduce accidents and near misses.

The Morning Report

The Morning Report is published daily during fire season and provides information on the current wildland fire situation, regional fire summaries, weather reports, burned area rehabilitation activities and closure orders for fires 500 acres and larger.

Weather, Outlooks and Assessments

For information on the meteorological, fuel load, and snow melt data for areas of the U.S, visit the National Interagency Fire Center Web site.

Aviation Strategy

Limitations on use of large air tankers and expanded use of other aircraft may change the type of support in your area. For more information on this topic, visit the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, and also the National Association of State Foresters for a list of State Foresters to contact to better understand any changes in your state or area.

Resources for Wildfire Responders in Rescue and Clean-Up Activities

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers resources for fire departments, firefighters, and partner organizations to prevent injury, illness, and death in the line of duty from hazards associated with fighting wildfires. These hazards can include burns, heat stress, smoke inhalation, risk of injury from operations involving rough terrain and unstable structures, and other dangers. NIOSH also provides resources for responders in rescue and clean-up activities.

Wildland Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths

Lines of Duty Deaths (LODDs) for wildland firefighters are nearing 25% our nation's annual firefighter LODD toll. For information on Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, a joint project of the USFA and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), visit the NFFF Web site.

Common Denominators of Fire Behavior on Tragedy Fires

Source: FIRESCOPE Field Operations Guide - January 2001

Most incidents happen on the smaller fires or on isolated portions of larger fires.
Most fires are innocent in appearance before the "flare-ups" or "blow-ups." In some cases, tragedies occur in the mop-up stage.
Flare-ups generally occur in deceptively light fuels.
Fires run up hill surprisingly fast in chimneys, gullies and on steep slopes.
Some suppression tools, such as helicopters or air tankers, can adversely affect fire behavior. The blasts of air from low flying helicopters and air tankers have been known to cause flare-ups.