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PMS 437

Fuel Moisture: Fuel Moisture References

NWCG Committee Realignment Website Updates: Content will continue to be updated over the coming days as we work through final reviews and adjustments, and all publications and products are currently under revision.

Online Resources

National Fuel Moisture Database

NDVI Greenness Resources

1-hr Fuel Moisture (SimpleFFMC – Nelson Model)

Publications

Agee, James K, Wright, Clinton S.  Williamson, Nathan, and Huff, Mark H.; Foliar Moisture Content of Pacific Northwest Vegetation and its Relation to Wildland Fire Behavior; Forest Ecology and Management, 2002.

Burgan, R.E., Estimating live fuel moisture for the 1978 National Fire Danger Rating System—1978, USDA Forest Service. Research Paper, 1979.

Burgan, R.E.; Hartford, R.A., Monitoring vegetation greenness with satellite data, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1993.

Burgan, Robert E.; Hartford, Roberta A.; Eidenshink, Jeffery C., Using NDVI to assess departure from average greenness and its relation to fire business, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1996.

Fosberg, M. A., and J. E. Deeming,  Derivation of the 1- and 10-hour timelag fuel moisture calculations for fire-danger rating, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1971.

Hirsch, Kelvin G., Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System: User’s Guide, Canadian Forest Service Special Report, 1996.

Jolly, William M., Nemani, R. and Running, S.W., A generalized, bioclimatic index to predict foliar phenology in response to climate, Global Change Biology 11(4), 2005.

Jolly, W. Matt; Hadlow, Ann M.; Huguet, Kathleen, De-coupling seasonal changes in water content and dry matter to predict live conifer foliar moisture content, International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2014.

Jolly, W. Matt, Hintz, J., Kropp, R., and Conrad, E.,  Physiological drivers of the live foliar moisture content ‘spring dip’ in Pinus resinosa and Pinus banksiana and their relationship to foliar flammability, International Conference on Forest Fire Research, 2014.

Jolly, W.M.,  Development of fine dead fuel moisture field references for the Southeastern United States: SimpleFFMC, USDA Forest Service RMRS Fire Sciences Laboratory, 2016.

Nelson R.M., Jr., Prediction of diurnal change in 10-h fuel stick moisture content, Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2000.

Norum, Rodney A.; Miller, Melanie, Measuring fuel moisture content in Alaska: standard methods and procedures, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1984.

Rothermel, Richard C., How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1983.

Schlobohm, P. and Brain, J., Gaining an Understanding of the National Fire Danger Rating System, PMS 932/NFES 2665, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002.

Schroeder, Mark J.,  Ignition probability, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1969.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

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

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter 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 Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee