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SEAT Accident (Colorado) – August 27, 2008

This Day in History is a brief summary of a powerful learning opportunity and is not intended to second guess or be judgmental of decisions and actions. Put yourself in the following situation as if you do not know the outcome. What are the conditions? What are you thinking? What are YOU doing?

Incident Summary:

A Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) is directed by Air Attack to drop on the right flank of the Flat Bush Fire. During the first retardant drop the SEAT’s flight pattern takes the aircraft in close proximity to staged firefighters and vehicles. During the drop sequence the pilot’s side cockpit door comes open and forces him to abbreviate the drop. The pilot relays to Air Attack that he has a problem with his “door”, and having just seen the abbreviated drop, Air Attack assumes the problem door is the retardant gate. He asks several times about the status of the pilot and aircraft. At no time did Air Attack understand that the problem was actually with the cockpit door. The pilot requests to jettison the remaining retardant. Air Attack assumes the problem is corrected and asks the pilot to reinforce the previous drop. The pilot agrees with this request.

On approach for the second drop, the pilot uses an aggressive turn at low altitude to align the aircraft for the drop. The approach is directly over the top of the firefighters again. As a result of the aggressive maneuver, the aircraft stalls and crashes. Debris from the accident damages two wildland fire engines and narrowly misses the six firefighters. The aircraft’s engine lands just 6 feet from an occupied vehicle. The crew is unharmed, the vehicles receive minor shrapnel damage, and although the aircraft is destroyed, the pilot only receives minor injuries.

Discussion Points:

Aerial photo of the mishap site.Apply the concept of LCES to this incident; not from a fire perspective but an aviation point of view.

(L) Lookouts look for hazards (situations and actions) and communicate them. Aircraft flying directly overhead are a hazard. Helicopters accidentally release longlines, buckets and sling loads multiple times each season. Water and retardant drops often miss intended targets, creating the potential for injury by the drops themselves or debris from vegetation.

  • What are options for mitigation if your lookout or others recognize ground forces in a flight path?

(C) Communication: If you see something wrong…say something!

  • Who should ground forces communicate with in the instance of being in a flight path?​

(E & S) Just as for wildland fire, escape routes and safety zones are needed for aviation operations as well. Keep in mind that if something goes wrong with an aircraft, ground crews may not have time to move to a safer location.

  • How can we prepare for and attempt to avoid being in a flight path?

References:

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This Day in History

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2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
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  • Crew Representative (CREP)
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  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1