Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health - First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Little Venus Fire (Wyoming) – July 18, 2006

Background

On June 19, 2006, the Little Venus Fire began as a naturally ignited wildland fire on the Shoshone National Forest. The fire was managed for resource benefits under a wildland fire use strategy. Fire behavior and growth responded to the ebb and flow of weather over the first month, but around the middle of July, fire activity steadily increased. On July 17 at 1730, the Unaweep Fire Use Module (FUM) arrived at the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Cody, WY. Unaweep consisted of four regular crewmembers and six long-term and short-term detailers. They received an initial briefing and secured supplies to support remote fire operations in the Washakie Wilderness. During the in-briefing, the module leader was advised that radio communications had been a persistent problem on the incident. Operations believed they would have two portable repeaters fully functional on the incident by July 19 and Unaweep had a satellite phone. July 19 was Unaweep’s planned first operational assignment on the Little Venus Fire. On July 18, the work assignment for Unaweep was to hike eight miles from the Jack Creek Trailhead to the Venus Cabin to replace the Black Hills FUM. Two local, contracted packers would transport food and red bags from Jack Creek trailhead to Little Venus cabin on the morning of July 18.

Fuels

Conifer timber stands with severe bark beetle infestations – approximately 50% stand mortality.  

Weather

RED FLAG CONDITIONS. The spot weather forecast predicted: Maximum Temperature:  76­82°, Minimum Humidity:  8­14% , 20 Foot Winds:  SW 15-20, gusts to 35, shifting to NW at 1400 hrs, Ridge Top Winds:  SW 20­25. The Incident Action Plan (IAP) weather forecast also had 20-foot winds: 15, gusts to 30 out of the W. The fire behavior forecast in the IAP under­predicted a significant increase in fire behavior.

Topography

Major canyon, steep slopes with numerous side drainages. Greybull River drainage runs SSW to NNE.

Image
Aerial image of the Deployment sites and escape routes along Greybull River and Anderson Creek during the Little Venus Fire entrapment, 2006.

Outcome

As Unaweep hikes into Venus Cabin, a sharp wind shift fans a fast-moving crown fire with long-range spotting that outpaces the crew’s escape. All ten Unaweep crewmembers experienced a burn over and deployed their shelters at the Greybull River confluence with Anderson Creek.  All personnel survived with no significant injuries and no hospitalization; all were safely evacuated from the fire area.

Discussion Questions:

  • Is hiking into a fire an operational assignment? 
  • How do we safely engage wildfires in dead or dying fuel types or drought stressed fuel types?
  • How do we adapt operational tactics based upon a forecasted wind shift? 
  • What are some techniques to deal with poor VHF repeater coverage for an incident?
  • Use of detailers or “fills” on fire resources is even more common today with recruitment and retention challenges. How will you build crew cohesion and trust with crewmembers that are new to your crew’s operational tempo?

 

Category
This Day in History
References
Little Venus Fire Entrapment 2006 | Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.


Follow NWCG on Twitter and Facebook

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day