We Didn’t Always Cut Line This Way

I find it useful to learn how thoroughly everything we do had to be theorized, experimented with, before they were adopted -- down to the way we dig fireline. To me there is freedom knowing that everything we do is a choice, that we can experiment to do it better, down to these core fundamentals. Assignment length? Prescribed fire risk tolerance? PPE technology? Fire crew size? Nothing is set in stone.

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center has a New Website with a New URL

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center staff is excited to share our new website and new URL - http://www.lessons.wildfire.gov. Visitors to http://www.lessons.wildfire.gov can search the Incident Review Database by incident name, type, location, key term or date. LLC products such as Two More Chains, Data Points, and the blog can also be found. This is …

A Federal Firefighter is Diagnosed with Brain Cancer and Workers’ Compensation Covers It

An engine foreman for the U.S. Forest Service had a seizure out of the blue last year that led to the discovery of a brain tumor. With recent developments at the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), he was able to get his medical expenses covered. This coverage comes from the 2022 …

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) Website is Under Construction

Many of you have noticed that our website, wildfirelessons.net, is no longer accessible. Our new site is under construction. We hope to have it operational soon. Although we don't have a specific date when site visitors should expect to see it, the new site will have similar features with improved functionality and ease of navigation. …

Lessons into Action

While a cluster of similar events may not necessarily be enough to call a trend, it is worth a focused analysis of the events and the recurring lessons. Often a clear recommended action is revealed and needs to be highlighted.

Reading, Reflecting, and Changing Behavior

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-edbwu-10e02ec Kelly Woods talks with Erik Apland about his assignment to read all of the entrapment reports housed in the LLC Incident Review Database. Erik provides perspective on the evolution of reports spanning over a century. He highlights how old reports contain modern topics and he also provides some unique thoughts on PPE. In addition, …

An Entrapment Survival Story: Before, During and After

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-rb7n3-1066242 In a conversation with Travis Dotson, Chris Fry shares the powerful story of his entrapment and shelter deployment on the 2006 Mudd Fire. We learn several key details about what happened that day. Chris discusses the lessons he has gained during his healing process and how the post-deployment mental health aspects of his experience …

2020 Incident Review Summary

This document summarizes all the wildland fire incident and accident reports from last year. It highlights some of the most useful lessons and points out the type of incidents that have occurred multiple times. It also has prompts for action you can take to implement the lessons.

Turning the Truck Around – A Story Map of the Horse Park Fire Entrapment

While scouting a road for a potential burnout operation, a Hotshot Crew Superintendent and Foreman encounter a wall of flames and attempt to retreat. Their truck becomes stuck, forcing them to flee on foot, narrowly escaping the rapidly advancing fire front. Just as they reach safety, they learn that their crew lookout is missing. After …

Podcast: Command Presence with Monica Morrison

New Podcast:
Fire Operations Specialist Monica Morrison shares wisdom you want about Command Presence.