Skip to main content

Firefighter Math: Table 2.2 Approximate Metric System Conversion Factors

To Change To Multiply by To Change To Multiply by
feet chains 0.0152 chains feet 66.0
feet meters 0.305 meters feet 3.280
yards meters 0.914 meters yards 1.094
miles kilometers 1.609 kilometers miles 0.621
square feet square meters 0.093 square meters square feet 10.764
square yards square meters 0.836 square meters square yards 1.196
square miles sq. kilometers 2.590 sq. kilometers square miles 0.386
acres sq. hectometers 0.405 sq. hectometers acres 2.471
cubic feet cubic meters 0.028 cubic meters cubic feet 35.315
cubic yards cubic meters 0.765 cubic meters cubic yards 1.308
fluid ounces milliliters 29,573.0 milliliters fluid ounces 0.034
pints liters 0.473 liters pints 2.114
quarts liters 0.946 liters quarts 1.057
gallons liters 3.785 liters gallons 0.264
ounces grams 28.349 grams ounces 0.035
pounds kilograms 0.454 kilograms pounds 2.205
short tons metric tons 0.907 metric tons short tons 1.102
pound-feet Newton-meters 1.365 ounce-inches Newton-meters 0.007062
pound-inch Newton-meters 0.11375      

Examples Using This Conversion Table:

To change feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
To change 124 feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
124 feet x 0.0152 = 1.88 chains = 1.9 chains

Temperature Conversion of Units:

°F =°Fahrenheit to °C =°Celsius        °C =°Celsius to°F =° Fahrenheit
°F = (°C x 9/5) + 32        °C = 5/9 x (F - 32)

NWCG Latest Announcements

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

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

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

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

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee