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Dozers

Steward: Equipment Technology Committee

Intro paragraph

Dozer Typing Standards

Requirements Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Net HP Range* 240 and up 150 - 250 90 - 165 50 - 110
Minimum Base Weight** 60,000 lbs. 35,000 lbs. 24,000 lbs. 10,000 lbs.
*Manufacturer’s published rated net horsepower (HP). Horsepower rating taken at the flywheel with all the engine accessories installed not counting transmission losses or anything after the flywheel
**Manufacturer’s published base weight for dozer including equipped track width and blade configuration, equipment fluids, etc. If a published base weight is unavailable, a certified in-service weight shall be used
Base operational weight is only used for typing. Final in-service dozer weight will be higher and include additional accessories such as winch, grapple, forestry package, etc. Final in-service dozer weight must be used when calculating hauler capacity, bridge weight limits, etc.

Dozer Fireline Construction Rates (Single Pass) in Chains per Hour

Fire Behavior Fuel Model Up or Down Slope Slope Class 1
0-25%		 Slope Class 2
26-40%		 Slope Class 3
41-55%		 Slope Class 4
56-74%
Type 3 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 55-90 30-55 8-30 0-8
Down 90-110 90-110 20-90 0-20
3, 5, 8 Up 45-70 25-45 2-25 0-2
Down 70-80 65-80 0-65 0
4 Up 20-35 10-20 0-10 0
Down 35-40 25-40 0-25 0
6, 7, 9 Up 35-55 15-35 0-15 0
Down 55-60 40-60 0-40 0
11, 12 Up 15-25 7-15 0-7 0
Down 25-30 10-30 0-10 0
10, 13 Up 8-15 3-8 0-3 0
Down 10-15 5-10 0-5 0
Type 2 Dozer
1, 2		 Up 85-125 60-85 30-60 0-30
Down 125-145 130-145 75-130 0-75
And so on          

Note: Production rates are not precise but vary with conditions. The higher rate can be applied for situations involving:

  • Newer dozers (1975 and later)
  • Dozers in excellent operating condition
  • Most-qualified operators
  • Temperatures below 90 °F
  • Moist soil, few or no rocks
  • No lost time • Indirect fireline
  • Average fire behavior
  • Daylight operations
  • Less resistive vegetative types within each fire behavior fuel model

 

Table Title???

Dozer Horse Power Examples
Type 1 HEAVY: 200 Minimum Horse Power D-8, D-7, JD-950
Type 2 MEDIUM:  100 Minimum Horse Power D-5N, D-6N, JD-750
Type 3 LIGHT:  50 Minimum Horse Power JD-450, JD-550, D-3, D-4
Minimum standards for personnel with dozers will differ depending on fuel type, terrain, and resource configuration. Dozer strike teams may use team leader in place of additional personnel per dozer. Fuel requiring burnout and terrain that requires scouting demands two personnel per dozer.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

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