Skip to main content

RX Burn Boss Type 3

Position Description

Duties

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator or Prescribed Fire Manager for implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan. The BLM has established an additional level of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, the RXB3, to qualify a person to supervise some prescribed fire operations. These types of operations typically would have few personnel assigned, a very low threat of escape and present a minimal risk to personnel involved in the operation. The use of the RXB3 is limited to the burning of piled slash, landings, ditches, and debris.
  • Reviews prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met.
  • Reviews specific agency prescribed fire policy.
  • Ensures that all phases of the prescribed fire operation, stress the safety of all personnel.
  • Performs a reconnaissance of the burn unit.
  • Obtains and interprets current fire environment conditions, such as weather, fuel moisture, and soil moisture.
  • Interprets cumulative effects of weather and drought on fire behavior.
  • Coordinates with the unit Line Officer to make the go/no-go decision.
  • Conducts operations according to agency-specific policies and standards, emphasizing safety and meeting plan objectives.
  • Directs specific resources to complete operational assignments.
  • Provides for monitoring of smoke emissions for health, safety, vista impairment, and fire behavior effects.
  • Remains in communication with crew members, assigned supervisor, and adjoining forces.
  • Ensures pre-burn coordination and communication is maintained between the burn organization and other offices, agencies, air quality authorities, news media, transportation agencies, safety officials, and interested public.
  • Evaluates and documents the accomplishment of fire objectives, operational procedures, and assigned personnel.
  • Ensures the post-burn narrative, time and equipment records, reports, cost summaries, and unit logs are completed as necessary.
  • Monitors implementation costs and makes the appropriate notifications.
  • Conducts After Action Review at the end of the burn.
  • Conducts a briefing to all participants of the burn.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Unable to locate pre-requisites for this position; items listed below pertain to the RXB2:
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Ignition Specialist Type 2
    AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4
    AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RX-300), Leadership and Organizational Development (S-381), Introduction to fire Effects (RX-310) 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date:  May 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system. 

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page