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RT-130 (WFSTAR)

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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of wildland firefighters hiking down a valley to a fire. Black topo map and WFSTAR logo on left.

The Ransom Road Fire

Content Warning: This video contains graphic content.

The Ransom Rd Fire occurred on June 8th 1981 on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The events of the Ransom Road Fire led to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s professional fire program. Rob Lee, who was second on site at the deployment site, provides a firsthand account of that day. This video uses interview content, reports, and animated maps to provide viewers with an understanding of the event.
Category: Case Studies
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 40 minutes
Video Length: 21:30

Remote Video

Intent 

To provide learners with an understanding of the Ransom Road fire that occurred on June 8th 1981.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools. Consider additional activities and discussion questions relevant to the geographic location and your respective agency.

Facilitating the Discussion 

Show the video. Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions. Present the scenario below and guide students through the exercise.

Scenario 

If you are not from Florida: Your crew has been prepositioned to Florida. What are the fuel types that they should be aware of? What are some hazards that they may be unfamiliar with? What firefighting techniques can they expect to encounter? What sorts of weather events are common?

If you are from Florida: You are assigned to give an in briefing to an out of region engine being prepositioned in your area. What are the hazards that they should be aware of? What firefighting techniques are most safe and effective in this area? What weather patterns should they be aware of?

Conduct Activity (Optional) 

Divide the class. Give each group the Activity Questions below. Discuss group responses.

Activity Questions

  1. What are some ways we can get stuck?
  2. How do you prepare ahead of time for getting unstuck?
  3. How can we make plans that provide time for getting unstuck?
  4. How prepared are you for treating severely burned coworkers? What measures should be taken to preserve an accident scene?
  5. What factors can lead us from a can-do attitude into a make-do situation? In what ways is firefighting today different than it was in 1981? In what ways is it the same?

Resources

Website: Mental Health Subcommittee Additional Resources

Video/Module: Wildland Fire Mental Health 

Video: Invisible Wounds: Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (7 minutes)

Additional Video Information

  • The video is also available as a download (Size 4.81GB); with the .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.

  • Note: For Chrome and Firefox, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three 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 Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee