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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

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

References:

Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

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