Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

09/03/2026

Paradise Fire Elk Carcass/Bear Hazard Mitigation
August 13, 2026 – Umatilla National Forest, Oregon

On August 9, resources engaged in suppression operations on the Paradise Fire on the Oregon-Washington border found an elk carcass guarded by black bears. As operations continued, the bears became increasingly desensitized to the presence of humans, at one point following a Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) unit—actively defending their meat source.

The elk was located within the Mill Creek watershed which provides drinking water to more than 40,000 people in the Walla Walla area. With the complexities of wildlife, city water systems, fire operations, and risk, the Complex Incident Management Team assembled a group of experts to discuss the best mitigation options.

First, firefighters were trained in avoiding and handling bear encounters and issued bear spray. Then a plan came together to package the elk carcass and fly it out by helicopter longline to a different, remote area of the fire.
With the help of an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officer, the elk was successfully flown out on August 13.

Some lessons from this RLS:

- Carcass-related bear encounters quickly escalate as bears become accustomed to people during fire operations.
- Starting the risk management process early gives experts time to gather information and ground truth assumptions.
- When options are limited and carry high risk, clear decision criteria help keep the team focused and avoid delays.

For the full RLS, go to our website at lessons.wildfire.gov

08/17/2026

Kaiser Canyon Fire Dozer Burnover

On July 16, 2026, a dozer was instructed to push a firebreak along a lightning-caused fire’s right flank. After tying into the highway shoulder, the dozer pushed approximately 60 yards of firebreak when the wind started to shift. The flank that the dozer started pushing quickly became a head fire and started spreading rapidly toward the dozer’s location.

As the operator recognized the wind shift and change of fire direction—with flame lengths growing from 3–5 feet to nearly 20 feet—he picked up the pace as the fire was within feet of the dozer, burning grass and larger brush. At this time, the dozer shut down and the operator abandoned the dozer.

Lessons
—The maintenance of the equipment prevented the loss of this equipment.

—A sense of urgency combined with space to unload the equipment likely pushed the decision to start on the northern side of the spot fire. The factors driving your tactical decisions should be related to safety and effectiveness.

—Although the topography in this area of the spot fire was relatively flat, this part of the Columbia River Basin often experiences wind direction changes and increased wind speeds due to channeling through terrain.

Get the full report at the following link: https://www.lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/kaiser-canyon-fire-dozer-burnover-2026

08/16/2026

Claremont Fire Medical Incident

Recently, an Incident Management Team on the Claremont Fire in Idaho had an event that began when a firefighter tried to “tough it out.” After early morning bouts of severe diarrhea and repeated vomiting episodes, he laced up his boots and reported out to the line.

Early in the shift, he became completely incapacitated by more severe bouts of vomiting. A Line Medic was called. Upon his arrival, treatment began with IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine. The firefighter was evacuated off the line and taken to a local hospital and subsequently discharged with nausea medication. The Line Medic, feeling like the discharge was not inline with patient symptoms, encouraged the patient to seek treatment at another hospital where they were diagnosed with an inflamed gallbladder and immediately put on a surgery list.

Lessons
—“Toughing it out” decisions can lead to dangerous—even life-threatening—outcomes.

—Gallbladder symptoms are similar to head illness symptoms and include: nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, malaise, headache, dizziness, elevated heart rate, sweating, or abdominal discomfort.

—Line Medics are essential to the initial stabilization of a patient at the scene. And, in severe cases, their ability to advocate on the firefighter’s behalf in a hospital setting can be even more critical.

Get the full report at the following link: https://www.lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/claremont-fire-medical-incident-2026.

08/15/2026

Pine Tree Fire F-18 Crash

On the morning of June 13, 2026, U.S. military aircraft were conducting training flights over the Naches Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. During one of the training flights, a Marine F/A-18 Jet crashed into a forested mountainside above Rimrock Lake, a popular recreation area. Upon impact, the unburned jet fuel onboard exploded, starting a fire in the adjacent wildland fuels, the Pine Tree Fire.

Over the next few days, local resources responded to the small fire, balancing fire suppression with potential hazmat avoidance. Alternative strategies were continually discussed as resources tried to determine the best strategy and tactics for an unusual and complex response.

Lessons
—It is difficult to safely mitigate risks from hazardous material when the materials and their associated hazards are unknown. The IRPG has guidance for Aircraft Mishap Response Actions (blue) page 79; HazMat Operations (yellow) page 54; HazMat Isolation Distances (yellow) page 55. In addition, consult the IRPG for general Hazmat Isolation Distances, page 55.

—Trying to contact “The Military” is a nebulous concept for wildland firefighters, fire managers, dispatch centers, and agency leadership. Consult with Military Liaisons. Identify contact information during pre-incident planning if possible.

—“Mission Creep” On this incident, day-by-day resources started to engage in more traditional styles of direct suppression and mop up, despite the obvious hazards that were present.

—Hazardous Material Exposure Documentation, Screening, and Treatment Training: It is strongly recommended that employees train on documentation and treatment policy well before it is needed.

Get the full report at the following link: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/pine-tree-fire-f-18-crash-2026

08/15/2026

Elk Fire EMS Credentials Falsification

On a fire in Colorado burning in exceptionally steep and rugged terrain, the Medical Unit puts in a request for a REMS team to support fireline personnel. When the incoming REMS team arrives, the REMS team lead's behavior and interactions make the MEDL's "spidey senses" tingle. After a series of issues obtaining the REMS team lead's EMS medical credentials, the MEDL and MEDL(t) dive deeper and discover the lead has likely been falsifying their EMS credentials. The MEDL and MEDL(t) share their suspicions with the local sheriff and, together, come up with a plan to tactfully and safely confront the REMS team lead.

Lessons
—Trust your instincts when you feel that something is out of place.

—The safety of firefighters and other fire resources is the most important priority in a situation like this. Confronting the REMS lead away from the Forward Operating Base with law enforcement present was an important tactical decision.

—Contractors and cooperators have a different system for self-reporting qualifications. It’s worth understanding this difference and double-checking individual qualifications where appropriate.

Get the full report at the following link: https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/elk-fire-ems-credentials-falsification-2026.

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08/01/2026

On July 30 the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group released this correspondence highlighting and explaining Particularly Dangerous Situation usage in Red Flag Warnings:

In 2021, the National Weather Service (NWS) made changes to Red Flag Warnings that allowed offices to highlight extreme fire environment conditions with enhanced wording when applicable. A Particularly Dangerous Situation is a rare, locally defined fire environment where Red Flag Warning criteria are greatly exceeded and/or near record levels.

Key Points:
• Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warnings represent rare, exceptionally dangerous conditions that greatly exceed normal Red Flag criteria.
• The primary purpose is heightened awareness for firefighter safety.
• Personnel should treat a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning as a trigger for elevated vigilance, potential prepositioning of resources, and heightened safety protocols.

To view and download the document, visit: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/nmac

07/31/2026

Wagon Fire Engine Burnover RLS

On June 23, 2026, Benton County Fire District #2 responded to a rapidly growing natural cover fire near Wagon Wheel Road and Whan Road in Benton County, Washington.

After receiving a face-to-face briefing from Incident Command, Engine 1453 was assigned to operations on the fire’s south flank. Within minutes, the engine became entrapped after encountering hidden terrain hazards while attempting to withdraw from deteriorating fire conditions.

Fortunately, both firefighters safely escaped the apparatus with only minor injuries. The engine was a total loss.

Lessons
—Confirm the assignment. Never assume both parties have the same understanding.

—Terrain can be more dangerous than the fire. Smoke, vegetation, and unfamiliar ground can hide hazards capable of immobilizing apparatus in seconds.

—Survival comes first. When conditions become untenable, disengage.

—Strong winds, hidden terrain hazards, limited visibility, and differing understandings of tactical objectives all combined to create an environment in which a routine assignment quickly evolved into an apparatus entrapment.

Get the full report from our homepage, link in profile.

07/30/2026

Knowles Fire Entrapment – SW of Loma, Colorado – June 27, 2026
SAIT Update #1

On 7/30/2026, the Knowles Serious Accident Investigation Team (SAIT) released an update containing verified information about the incident. This update is intended to provide some basic information about the incident for the families and friends of the fallen and injured, as well as to the entire fire community.

The SAIT continues to investigate the Knowles entrapment incident. For all documents relating to this incident, visit its incident page at https://lessons.wildfire.gov/incident/knowles-fire-entrapment-2026

07/29/2026

Chelan Hills Entrapment and Escape RLS

“In about 10 seconds, we went from blue sky to ash fallout to ember fallout—then spot fires then established fires around me and it was time to go.”

Midafternoon on July 4, numerous events occurred during initial attack on the Chelan Hills Fire located outside of Chelan, Washington.

One Crew Carrier and one Type 6 Engine were burned, resulting in the total loss of both vehicles. Another Brush Truck received fire damage to paint and decals and a window was destroyed. An agency pickup truck was also damaged from striking a stopped civilian vehicle it encountered in zero visibility.

Lessons
—Be aware of the time wedge and ensure assignments and LCES account for fuels, weather, and topography.

—Structure prep and point protection around homes is challenging and often increases a sense of urgency to get the work done. This mindset often pushes firefighters to reprioritize mission over risk.

—Pre-filter screens on air intake for vehicles may be warranted, much like the emission screens required on chainsaws and logging equipment.

Get the full report from our homepage, link in profile.

07/25/2026

Lynx and Rattlesnake Fires Smoke Management at ICP RLS

A conversation between a Wapiti Fire Plans Section Chief and a Regional Risk Management Officer about air quality conditions at Incident Command Posts (ICP) sparks the creation of a Smoke Action Team.

To explore these options, in September 2025, the Smoke Action Team set up 11 portable “Air Scrubbers” in office trailers and office tents at the Incident Command Post for the Lynx and Rattlesnake fires in Washington state.

Testing showed that Air Scrubbers were the most effective mitigation, reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the office spaces—up to an 89 percent improvement over the outside air. Box fans with standard furnace filters attached also provided a significant benefit.

Lessons
— Often the worst smoke, on the largest fire growth days, occurs early during the incident and/or prior to an IMT’s arrival. Getting logistics for air quality mitigations in place quickly will reduce overall exposure. An Air Resource Advisor can help with this.

— Support personnel at ICP do not have the same fitness and health screening requirements as line firefighters and may be more at risk of smoke exposure.

— Consider ordering an Air Resource Advisor. They can set up air quality monitoring and mitigations at ICP and spike camps in addition to their role in monitoring air quality for public safety.

Get the full report from our homepage, link in profile.