NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

A portion of the atmosphere that has a relatively low dew point temperature and where the formation of clouds, fog, or precipitation is unlikely.

A name given to an ordinary thermometer used to determine the temperature of the air (to distinguish it from the wet bulb).

A contiguous series of days having a pre-established number of fire ignitions with a fuel dryness level that historically resulted in a significant fire event for a particular area.

A low expansion foam type with stable bubble structure and slow drain time which is used primarily for resource and property protection.

Permanent devices with fire engine threads attached to expedite drafting operations in locations where there are water sources suitable for use in fire suppression (e.g., piers, wharves, bridges over streams, highways adjacent to ponds).

Permanently installed supply private fire pumps which depend upon suction sources.

Thunderstorm in which negligible precipitation reaches the ground.

A trial pass over the target area by a leadplane and/or an airtanker to pinpoint target areas and warn ground personnel of the impending retardant or extinguishing agent drop.

Refers to dry chemical retardants stored at air attack bases and available for mixing with water.

The temperature of the air measured in the shade 4-8 feet above the ground.

In a psychrometer, the thermometer not covered with muslin which is used to determine air temperature.

The layer of decomposing organic materials lying below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil.

The effective life span of foam bubbles.

Regular number of hours worked per week by a full-time firefighter, excluding overtime.

An event dealing with response to an earthquake.

A circular-like flow of a fluid (such as air or water) drawing its energy from a flow of much larger scale, and brought about by pressure irregularities as in the downwind (lee) side of a solid obstacle. For example, wind conditions may be erratic and may eddy on the downwind side of large rock outcroppings, buildings, etc. 

The boundary between two fairly distinct fuel types.

The place where plant communities meet or where successional stages or vegetative conditions within plant communities come together.

Method of burning in which fires are set along the edges of an area and allowed to spread inward.

Name of the person editing the feature.

A device used to introduce and mix fire chemical into a water stream. An eductor is a fitting with three ports, an inlet for water flow, an outlet for water flow, and an inlet for fire chemical concentrate. The flow of water through the eductor produces a region of lower pressure at the fire chemical inlet, drawing the chemical into the water stream. 

The midflame wind speed adjusted for the effect of slope on fire spread.

A siphon device used to fill an engine's tank when the water source is below or beyond the engine's drafting capability.

The total time taken to complete any step(s) in fire suppression.

Conceptually represents the optimum integration of modern educational methods and professional staff development training with state of the art technology. The primary goal is enhancing on-the-job performance, motivation, and learning performance.

In hydraulics, the pressure loss caused by raising water through hose or pipe to a higher elevation (roughly equal to one psi for every two-foot increase in elevation above the pump) (11.3 kPa per meter).

Any incident, whether natural, technological, biological, or human-caused, that necessitates responsive action to protect life or property.

An agreement written at an incident using an EERA, OF-294. The duration is for the length of the incident only.

A person employed as an emergency worker on a forest or wildland fire which threatens damage to property under public management. Emergency firefighters are hired for the duration of the emergency only.

A radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure which operates from its own power source on 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz. The transmitter transmits a distinctive downward swept audio tone for homing purposes and is designed to function without human action after an accident. 

A congressionally ratified agreement that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster-affected state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues up front: liability and reimbursement.

A plan for responding to a variety of potential hazards.

Any federal, state, or local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency responder, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities. It is any organization responding to an emergency, or providing mutual aid support to such an organization, whether in the field, at the scene of an incident, or operations center. 

Planned actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resource, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources. 

An event dealing with emergency response to stabilize land and structures damaged by wildfire with the objective to protect life and property from damage due to post-fire events and fire. Usually occurring 1-12 months from ignition date.

The grouping of governmental and certain private sector capabilities into an organizational structure to provide core capabilities and services most likely needed to manage domestic incidents.

A release of combustion gases and aerosols into the atmosphere.

The mass of particulate matter produced per unit mass of fuel consumed (pounds per ton, grams per kilogram).

The amount, or mass of smoke produced per unit of time. For example: Emission Rate = Available Fuel x Burning Rate x Emission Factor.

A strategy for controlling smoke from prescribed fires that minimizes the amount of smoke output per unit area treated.

A general type of standard that limits the mass of a pollutant that may be emitted by a source. The most straightforward emissions standard is a simple limitation on mass of pollutant per unit time (e.g., pounds of pollutant per hour).

An agency-contracted program that provides employees and their families’ access to a variety of counseling and other support services in certain situations.

The employment appointment or agreement under which a person is hired.

Weight of an aircraft/engine including the structure, power plant, all fixed equipment, all fixed ballast, unusable fuel, undrainable oil, and total quantity of hydraulic fluid.

The computed total heat release per unit area (British thermal units per square foot) within the flaming front at the head of a moving fire.

Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping, water, and hose capacity but with less than the specified level of personnel.

A resource that includes an engine of a specific type. The type specifies tank capacity, pump rating, hose capacity and number of personnel.

Largest engine type that can use the water source.