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PMS 425

PMS 425

PMS 425

NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts PMS 425

1. Introduction

2. Fire Weather Forecast Variables

3. Types of Fire Weather Forecasts

4. Building a Mental Model of the Weather Forecast

NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts, PMS 425

The NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts leverages knowledge gained in S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior. This publication is designed for firefighters at all experience levels and for early- to mid-career fire weather meteorologists to guide them on the field expectations of their forecasts. Furthermore, the NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts establishes mandatory and optional fire weather forecast variables for Incident Fire Weather Forecasts as produced by Incident Meteorologists (IMETs).

The NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts supplements Agriculture Handbook 360: Fire Weather: A Guide for Application of Meteorological Information to Forest Fire Control Operations, PMS 425-1. Whereas the Agriculture Handbook 360 gives detailed information on fire weather and meteorological processes, this guidebook describes the fire weather forecast itself.

The NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts is developed and maintained by the Fire Weather Subcommittee (FWS), under the direction of the Fire Environment Committee (FENC), an entity of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).  The original content of this publication was developed through the contributions of Darren Clabo, South Dakota State Fire Meteorologist, in coordination with the FWS.

While they may still contain current or useful information, previous editions are obsolete.  The user of this information is responsible for confirming that they have the most up-to-date version.  NWCG is the sole source for the publication.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the FWS.  View the complete roster.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Fire Weather Forecast Variables
  3. Types of Fire Weather Forecasts
  4. Building a Mental Model of the Weather Forecast
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, Tribal, territorial, and local partners. NWCG operations standards are interagency by design; they are developed with the intent of universal adoption by the member agencies. However, the decision to adopt and utilize them is made independently by the individual member agencies and communicated through their respective directives systems.

Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Incident Position Standards and Next Gen Position Task Books Now Available for Dispatch Incident Positions

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Coordinator
  • Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
  • Initial Attack Dispatcher

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Coordinator Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Recorder Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Initial Attack Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Job Aids 

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page