COVID-19 Prevention and Management During Wildland Fire Operations

Wildland Fire-Specific Information and Direction on COVID-19

Operational Tools

• FMB Wildland Fire COVID-19 Page
• Fire and COVID-19 Briefing Checklist Decal (English and Spanish versions) for Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
• COVID-19 National Cache Support Items
  • COVID-19 and Refurbishment Guidelines

Testing and Screening Information

• Testing Guidance
• FMB COVID-19 Interim Screen Protocol for Wildland Fire Personnel; Spanish version:  Protocolo Provisional de Detección del COVID-19 para Personal de Incendios Forestales
  • Wildland Fire COVID-19 Screening Tool (Supplemental to the COVID-19 Interim Screening Protocol for Wildland Fire Personnel released by the Federal Fire Management Board.).

Prevention and Management Information

• FMB Memo  21-007, MPHAT Wildland Fire COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation 2021
  • 21-007a, MPHAT Memo Wildland Fire COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation 2021
• MPHAT Guidance for Prevention and Management of COVID-19 During Wildland Fire
• FMB Memo 21-002, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Vaccines for Wildland Fire Personnel
  • 21-002s, MPHAT Memo Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Vaccines for Wildland Fire Personnel
• NWCG Quick Guide to Prevention and Management of COVID-19 During Wildland Fire Operations
• NWCG Infectious Disease Guidance for Wildland Fire Incidents
• NWCG Standards for Aviation Operations in Response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• DOI:  Wildfires and COVID-19
• 6MFS
  • COVID-19 and the Wildland Fire Environment
  • COVID-19 LCES
  • Effects of Smoke Exposure (including COVID-19)

Other Resources

• CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• White House: COVID-19
• FEMA: COVID-19 Response

Older Information But Still Useful

• NWCG Medical Unit COVID-19 Concept of Operations Plan
• FAQs for firefighters from the Centers for Disease Control

Videos Related to Coronavirus

Note: Videos were created in 2020 and guidance has changed slightly. The videos are still relevant but ensure you are checking for the most up to date guidance.

COVID-19: NWCG Executive Board Message

NWCG Executive Board Chair Frank Guzman shares a message about COVID-19 to the wildland fire community.


Time: 1:38

COVID-19: Mental Health Awareness

The pressures of wildland fire response have been compounded in 2020 by the presence of COVID-19. NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Co-Chair Bodie Ronk shares a message about the importance of mental health awareness.


Time: 1:36

COVID-19: A Message from Fire Leadership

The global coronavirus pandemic adds additional complexity to wildland fire suppression. Leaders from various NWCG member agencies share their intent regarding challenges associated with COVID-19, mitigation strategies, and special considerations for wildland fire personnel this fire season.


Time: 10:32

COVID-19: Prevention for Fire Personnel

An Incident Commander, Fire Staff Officer, Medical and Public Health Advisory Team member, and Medical Officer discuss the importance of COVID-19 spread prevention and describe best practices for wildland fire response personnel.


Time: 12:34

LLC Resources for COVID-19 Education

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center promotes ongoing learning in the wildland fire service. Assistant Center Director Alex Viktora describes LLC resources associated with COVID-19 in fire season 2020 and provides a tour of some useful features of Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center.


Time: 2:39

COVID-19: Psychological Transition and Balance

Dr. Steven Nicholas, a mental health professional with an extensive background counseling first responders, describes concepts and tools to assist fire personnel in monitoring and managing stress and mental health.


Time: 11:20
Documents referenced in the video:

• Professional Balance Wellness Worksheet
• Are You Burning Out Worksheet

COVID-19: Taking Care of Fire Personnel

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, safe wildland fire response requires additional coordination and specialized procedures. MPHAT Coordinator Kaili McCray discusses the importance of public health engagement during pre-incident planning and describes available resources for fire personnel.


Time: 8:13

COVID-19 Resource Movement

Firefighters and personnel are essential, emergency service providers who often need to be moved inside and across state boundaries to successfully fight fire. Sharing resources and helping each other is the key to our success. Covid-19 has presented new challenges to move resources safely and effectively. In this video, resource managers discuss various strategies and tactics being implemented to help move resources throughout the country.


Time: 9:12