NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire (PMS 205)

Actions taken on a wildfire that has exceeded the initial response.

An incident that exceeds the capability of the initial attack resources and/or organization to successfully manage the incident to conclusion.

The protection of structures from the exterior, with no interior access or activity.

A load that is carried or extends outside of the aircraft fuselage.

Maximum external stress load (in pounds) with full fuel and pilot in calm air at standard atmospheric temperature.

Substance used to put out a fire by cooling the burning material, blocking the supply of oxygen, or chemically inhibiting combustion.

For any particular fire which is neither contained nor controlled, any 24-hour period following the termination of the first burning period.

Extreme implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, strong convection column. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously. 

Person who sees evidence of criminal activity, actual commission of a crime or a criminal fleeing a crime scene.

Facilities Unit staff set up, maintain, and demobilize all facilities used in support of incident operations. This staff provides facility maintenance and law enforcement/security services needed for incident support. Facilities Unit staff set up the Incident Command Post (ICP), Incident Base, and camps (including trailers or other forms of shelter in and around the incident area) and ensure the maintenance of those facilities. This unit’s staff provide and maintain personnel support facilities, including areas for eating, sleeping, sanitation and showers, and staging. Staff in this unit order additional support items such as portable toilets, shower facilities, and lighting units through the Supply Unit.

A temperature scale on which 320 F denotes the temperature of melting ice, and 2120 F the temperature of boiling water, both under standard atmospheric pressure.

A person who fells trees.

An event where a wildfire was initially suspected, but ultimately an ignition could not be located; or the basis for the initial report was subsequently attributed to a non-fire source, such as water vapor or vented industrial emissions. The key point here is No FIRE, an incident cannot be a false alarm if an ignition is located.

The primary contact between the agency and the victim’s family

Refers to the regulations governing all aviation activities of civil aircraft within the United States and its territories.

The person appointed by the President to coordinate federal assistance in the designated area following the declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act.

Principles and policies providing a common approach to wildland fire for federal agencies. The primary, interagency wildland fire policy document is the "Review and Update of the 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy" (January 2001). Implementation of that policy is through the "Guidance for Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy" (February 2009).

Regular federal government employee who is compensated under the Federal Wage System and referred to as Wage Grade (WG), Wage Leader (WL), or Wage Supervisor (WS) employee.

Coupling made to receive a male coupling of the same thread, pitch and/or diameter.

A job-related test of work capacity designed for those with moderately strenuous duties. This test consists a two-mile hike with a 25-pound pack. A time of 30 minutes, the passing score for this test, approximates an aerobic fitness score of 40.

Instructor-led training that is conducted in field environment.

Large, portable tank from which helitankers can hoverfill.

An increase in the central pressure of a low. Counter-clockwise wind flow around the low usually decreases as filling occurs.

Flight path in the direction of the landing along the extended runway center line from the base leg to the runway.

The individual responsible for completing the position task book's verification statement once all tasks in the position task book have been completed and signed off. Only the evaluator on the final position performance assignment (the assignment in which all remaining tasks have been evaluated and signed off) will complete the verification statement recommending certification. 

Number of acres within the final fire perimeter of a specific, individual incident, including unburned and unburnable islands.

An airtanker is "on final" when it is on line with the target and intends to make the drop on that pass; also applies to cargo dropping.

The ICS Section responsible for an incident’s administrative and financial considerations.

The probable moisture content of fast-drying fuels which have a timelag constant of 1 hour or less; such as, grass, leaves, ferns, tree moss, pine needles, and small twigs (0-1/4").

Fast-drying dead or live fuels, generally characterized by a comparatively high surface area-to-volume ratio, which are less than 1/4-inch in diameter and have a timelag of one hour or less. These fuels (grass, leaves, needles, etc.) ignite readily and are consumed rapidly by fire when dry.

The long narrow extensions of a fire projecting from the main body.

Rapid oxidation, usually with the evolution of heat and light; heat fuel, oxygen and interaction of the three.

An event, managed by the wildland fire community, where an ignition resulting in sustained combustion occurred.

A community that recognizes its risk and takes action before, during and after a fire in order for their community to be more resilient to wildfire. Fire adapted community members are informed and prepared, collaboratively planning and taking action to better live with wildland fire.

Official group or organization compelled and authorized under statutes or law to control fires within a designated area or upon designated lands.

The manner in which a fire reacts to the influences of fuel, weather, and topography.

The fuels, weather and topographical conditions of a specific fire scene or area of the fire scene at the time of fire passage.

Prediction of probable fire behavior, usually prepared by a fire behavior analyst, in support of fire suppression or prescribed burning operations.

A set of mathematical equations that can be used to predict certain aspects of fire behavior when provided with an assessment of fuel and environmental conditions.

A system that uses a set of mathematical equations to predict certain aspects of fire behavior in wildland fuels when provided with data on fuel and environmental conditions.

Fire effects with positive monetary, social, or emotional value or that contribute, through changes in the resource base, to the attainment of organizational goals.

Arsonist, especially a repetitive firesetter.

The characterization of fire occurrence in an area, described in terms of total number of fires and acres per year; and number of fires by time, size, cause, fire-day, large fire-day, and multiple fire-day.

Values of one or more fire weather/fire danger indexes that have been statistically related to occurrence of fires (fire business). Generally the threshold is a value, or range of values where historical fire activity has significantly increased or decreased. 

A supply of fire tools and equipment assembled in planned quantities or standard units at a strategic point for exclusive use in fire suppression.