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Fuel Moisture: Fuel Moisture References

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

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks