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Hazard Tree – No Work Zones

 

No work zone (NWZ) graphic showing a large circle shaded with a NWZ clear circle on right side within shaded area indicating the potentially dangerous tree or high-value wildfire area.

Knowing the exact time a given hazard tree (or compromised section) will fail is extremely difficult, and is, in many cases, an unpredictable task. Given this fact, we need to manage firefighters’ exposure to these hazards by creating a safe work area or No Work Zone (NWZ). The size and extent of the NWZ must be determined by onsite conditions, such as terrain, stand structure, and fire impacts on the tree and adjoining trees.

When an identified hazardous tree or trees cannot be felled, then perform an assessment of which areas have too high a risk, and post a lookout to warn the personnel to stay clear of these areas while working in adjacent areas. If hazard still exists before leaving the area, flag the NWZ so that personnel entering the area will be able to recognize the hazard. Use the following failure zone illustrations as examples to help manage firefighter exposure to these identified hazards. Also, remember to include the possibility of the Domino Effect to surrounding trees.
 

Figure 1 - 1 1/2 X Height of snag   Figure 2 - 1 1/2 X Trunk-to-branch-tip distance     Figure 3 - 1 1/2 X Length of dead top   
Figure 1 - graphic showing the potential failure zone of a dangerous area around a snag tree.Figure 2 - graphic of a tree showing the distance of dead limb hazard area.Figure 3 - graphic showing a pine tree with potential failure zone of the dead top.

      

 

References:

Category
Felling Safety

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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

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

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Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal