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Week of Remembrance

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2019 WOR Day 7: South Canyon 25 Years Ago Today

June 30-July 6, 2019

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness, and safety of wildland firefighters.

 

On July 2, 1994, seven miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, lightning ignited a Bureau of Land Management fire in piñon-pine and juniper on a ridge at the base of Storm King Mountain. The fire, paralleled by two deep canyons, was initially believed to have “little chance” to spread. The past two days, lightning had started 40 new fires on this BLM District. The entire general area, in a one-year drought, was experiencing low humidity and record-high temperatures. Over the next two days, the South Canyon Fire increased in size. Visible from Interstate 70 and nearby residential areas, the public became concerned. Some initial attack resources were assigned.

Four days later, on July 6, a dry cold front moved into the fire area. As winds and fire activity increased, the fire made several rapid runs within the existing burn—in dense, highly flammable Gambel oak. 35 firefighters survived either by escaping down a deep drainage or by seeking a safety area and deploying their fire shelters. Fourteen firefighters perished as they tried to outrun the flames.

They were just out doing normal work.

Remembering those that lost their liveson Storm King Mountain 25 years ago today.

Remembering those that lost their lives on Storm King Mountain 25 years ago today.

Today we mark the anniversary of this tragedy and honor through learning. Anniversaries of such events provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our mission and seek improvement.

The purpose of this week has been to honor all fallen firefighters by making a commitment that we will learn the lessons from those that walked the fireline before us, many of those lessons being learned the hard way and by those making the ultimate sacrifice.

New Resource

A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families provides candid information and resources to help wildland firefighters and their families understand risks of the job and plan for the unexpected. The guide will be useful for both new and experienced wildland firefighters, friends and family who support them, and agency employees who supports emergency response.

Action:

We encourage all fireline personnel, incident management, fire support staff, and program management to take a moment of remembrance, when/if appropriate, to reflect on, and discuss lessons we learned from this Week of Remembrance, and how we will apply those lessons.

 

Purple ribbon symbol

How can YOU Honor through Learning?

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the NWCG Leadership Committee, and many other field subject matter experts.

 

 

 

Category
Week of Remembrance
References
Honor the Fallen
WFSTAR Video: Released in honor of the 20th anniversary of the South Canyon Fir…
This Day in History: The South Canyon Fire, 1994, Colorado. A special edition f…
Link to the accident report, staff ride, and other South Canyon Fire information
Video Collection about the South Canyon Fire from the Wildland Fire Lessons Lea…
Video: The Tri-Data Study
25th Anniversary SOUTH CANYON FIRE commemorative website
A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families
Mental Health Subcommittee

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

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