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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Beyond Visual Line of Sight

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around is an integral method for gathering situational awareness when responding to fire assignments. The increased use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the public domain and on the fireline has significantly impacted the “Look Up” portion of the equation. It is critical to be aware of your surroundings on the ground and in the air.

Non-agency, non-cooperator UAS can operate under a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) meaning a UAS operator can operate their UAS/drone outside of their line of sight. This can create potential airspace conflicts with aircraft on an emerging or established wildland fire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a procedure to help mitigate conflicts between firefighting operations and BVLOS TFRs. To learn more about the BVLOS TFR, please review the Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin, No. IA IB 23-06, at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/iaib-2023-06.pdf.

Ask yourself: What is a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in UAS operations and how might it affect me?

  • Firefighting aircraft may not be able to enter into the TFR. How does this impact your:
    • Strategy?
    • Tactics?
    • Hazard assessments?
    • Emergency medical response?
  • There may be an authorized or unauthorized UAS or drone working directly above you, what do you need to be aware of?
  • Do you know when TFRs will be active and are you aware of their duration?
  • If your fire doesn’t require the use of aviation, but there is a BVLOS TFR in place and drone operators have the authority to work above you within their established TFR, do you have any concerns? If so, what are they?

Consider the following actions if you are an Incident Commander (IC) or IC trainee:

  • Communicate aviation delay information to all resources and base tactics on delayed aviation.
  • Brief all resources about UAS operations over personnel and equipment that may be in close proximity and /or low altitude legally.
  • Inform dispatch if an unknown UAS is in close proximity and/or low altitude during wildland fires.
  • Continue to employ Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around.
Category
Aviation


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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505