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

Valley Fever

 

United States map illustrating estimated areas with valley fever in the U.S.

Estimated Areas with Valley Fever in the United States (Centers for Disease Control).

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is an illness caused by fungal spores found in the soil in the southwestern United States and south-central Washington. Valley fever is contracted by breathing in spores from soil or airborne dust particles. Valley fever is typically not contagious (cannot spread person-to-person).

Many people exposed to Valley fever never have symptoms. Others may develop symptoms one to three weeks following exposure to contaminated soil or dust.

Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash on upper body or legs
  • Headache
  • Night sweats

Symptoms usually last for a few weeks to a few months, while severe cases may extend beyond this. Individuals who develop symptoms consistent with Valley fever and seek medical care may be asked by their healthcare providers to complete a medical and travel history, to provide information about their symptoms, and to undergo physical examinations and laboratory tests to accurately diagnose Valley fever. In some cases, Valley fever can cause severe illness. This is more common in individuals with certain risk factors. (Source: CDC – Valley Fever).

Wildland fire tasks associated with increased risk for exposure:

  • Being in close proximity to helicopter operations due to rotor wash.
  • Digging or prepping fireline, mopping up (suppression efforts), hiking or traveling in areas with loose soil (dozer line, handline).
  • Working around and operating heavy equipment.
  • Working in camps with high traffic and minimal dust control

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can you minimize your exposure to soil and dust?
    1. Consider dust control mop-up kits and other water-handling tools to reduce dust and soil from becoming airborne.
    2. Mop up to secure your area. Evaluate your section and determine what is necessary and what is unnecessary exposure to secure the fireline.
  2. If you suspect Valley fever and seek medical care, what information would you share with the provider?
Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid

Last Modified / Reviewed:


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412