Stand 1 - 1910 Overview

In 1905, management of the public forest reserves is given to a new agency, the United States Forest Service. Between 1905 and 1909, an initial wildfire suppression doctrine is formulated and promoted by the first Chief of the USFS, Gifford Pinchot. To help with the public's perception of the role of the Forest Service in local communities, ranger districts hired local, well-respected figures such as Ed Pulaski to assist the Forest Service with public perception.

Map of stand 1 of the 1910 fire — Map of Stand 1 of the 1910 Fire

The fire season of 1908 provides the new leadership and firefighters of the Forest Service an opportunity to develop their suppression skills; however, a large part of the force consists of as-needed labor provided from miners, loggers, vagrants, and immigrants (many of whom do not speak English). By 1909, Forest Service leadership asserts that unwanted wildfire could be prevented through adequate prevention and control and asserts in the Forest Service Use Book (1905) that, "...officers have no more important duty than protecting the reserves from forest fires."

During this time, the infrastructure to access new areas for mining and timber are in the process of being developed. Rail systems are completed along the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers, greatly increasing the flow of people into this area. At the turn of the century, Coeur d'Alene was the transportation hub for most of northern Idaho. In conjunction with Spokane, these two cities were the economic powerhouses of the region. Communications were telephones and telegraphs between Missoula and Coeur d'Alene/Spokane.

There are several good options for the location of Stand 1 in order to conduct an overview of the 1910 situation including the Cataldo Mission, the Coeur d'Alene City Park, or combining with Stand 2 at the I-90 Exit 61 rest stop and firefighter memorial in Wallace. These locations are accessible to the public with parking for multiple vehicles and restrooms.

Location (SRS)

POINT (-116.7852778 47.6727778)

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications.

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more.