NIOSH firefighter programs to be temporarily restored following ‘misinterpreted executive order’

The Trump Administration has issued a temporary reprieve to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers who were summarily dismissed, causing an outcry from the firefighting community, though the reprieve may be temporary, lasting only through June 2nd.

NIOSH firefighter programs to be temporarily restored following ‘misinterpreted executive order’

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How to protect structural firefighters responding to WUI fires

Based on a review of 13 previous investigation reports from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program that involved WUI fires, our first article today looks at three actions fire departments can consider to reduce the risk to structural firefighters who respond to WUI fires.

How to protect structural firefighters responding to WUI fires

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NVFC addresses fire program cuts at NIOSH affecting firefighter safety

National Volunteer Fire Council officials discussed the impact the Department of Health and Human Services' consolidation plan would have on several important programs, eliminating two-thirds of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s workforce.

NVFC addresses fire program cuts at NIOSH affecting firefighter safety

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Firefighter safety research under fire

The Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government have slashed the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which has performed research to mitigate the health threats that firefighters face daily.

Firefighter safety research under fire

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How NASA is helping first responders combat wildfires

NBC's Today Show hitched a ride with NASA researchers who showcased their FireSense mission, which is leading to groundbreaking research that could help first responders better deal with wildfires.

How NASA is helping first responders combat wildfires

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Aerial Fire Fighting Operational Statistics (2024): Very Large/Large Air Tankers

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Lance Sherry, Director of the Center for Air Transportation Systems Research at George Mason University, sent along a peer-reviewed article he wrote with the following comments: "The purpose of this report is to provide statistics on the U.S. aerial firefighting fleet, flight operations, and airport utilization and equipment in 2024. This information, which is not readily available, may be of use to airport planners, air navigation service providers, and policy makers."

Aerial Fire Fighting Operational Statistics (2024): Very Large/Large Air Tankers

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National Guard helicopters will be pivotal this wildfire season. But first, crews must train for water drops

Colorado Public Radio provided an overview of the 2025 Colorado Fire and Aviation Summit, in which the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the Colorado National Guard and crews from Boulder Fire-Rescue, the City of Longmont, the Longmont Fire Department, the USDA Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management trained together to prepare for wildfire season.

National Guard helicopters will be pivotal this wildfire season. But first, crews must train for water drops

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Living Legends Awards To Honor Fire Crews, Space Team

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tom Lasser, a retired Lt Colonel and CH-47 pilot in the California National Guard, sent along an announcement that the Living Legends of Aviation Awards will honor aerial firefighters who battled Los Angeles wildfires in January at an April 25th event to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Living Legends Awards To Honor Fire Crews, Space Team

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Draft executive order signals major changes for US wildland firefighting operations

A draft executive order from the Trump administration is poised to significantly reshape the way wildland firefighting is conducted in the United States, implementing changes that will directly affect operators and other Vertical Aviation International members who conduct and support aerial firefighting operations.

Draft executive order signals major changes for US wildland firefighting operations

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Wildfire risk threatens millions in Southwest

Millions in the Southwest have been warned that they are under threat from wildfires through the end of the week due to warmer temperatures, high winds and low relative humidity, according to the National Weather Service.

Wildfire risk threatens millions in Southwest

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Three burn parameters can make prescribed forest fires burn safer and cleaner

In a new study published in the journal Atmospheric Pollution Research, scientists at Stanford University suggested ways to perform prescribed burns which drastically reduce the health impact from the smoke.

Three burn parameters can make prescribed forest fires burn safer and cleaner

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IAFC President says U.S. wildfire threat is now nationwide

Speaking at the Wildland-Urban Interface 2025 Conference, the President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs warned that wildfire threats are now affecting more regions across the U.S. and require a national response.

IAFC President says U.S. wildfire threat is now nationwide

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Finding calm in the off-season

The first woman recruited by the New Mexico-based Smokey Bear Hotshots for its elite wildland firefighting crew discussed how best to 'pivot and redirect,' in healing from traumatic stress and grief, especially after fire season.

Finding calm in the off-season

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Curtis joins bipartisan bill to reduce wildfire risks in the West after years of devastating blazes

The Fix Our Forests Act was introduced Thursday by U.S. Senators John Curtis, R-Utah, John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, Tim Sheehy R-Montana, and Alex Padilla D-California, with the aim to "combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive."

Curtis joins bipartisan bill to reduce wildfire risks in the West after years of devastating blazes

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Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act passes Senate, awaits House decision

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, which aims to expand the availability of aircraft and equipment for wildfire response operations across the U.S. by updating the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996, has passed the U.S. Senate.

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act passes Senate, awaits House decision

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Use NASA Earth Observations and Tools for Operational Wildfire Monitoring and Management

A training session offered April 16-30 by NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) program will explore the powerful NASA data and tool users can quickly employ to identify the location, extent, and intensity of wildland fire activity, as well as its effects.

Use NASA Earth Observations and Tools for Operational Wildfire Monitoring and Management

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Esri Adds California Live Camera Feeds to ArcGIS for Better Awareness of Wildfires and Other Disasters

Redlands, California-based Esri and the University of California San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia program have launched a new ready-to-use map layer that provides instant access to live camera feeds across the Golden State.

Esri Adds California Live Camera Feeds to ArcGIS for Better Awareness of Wildfires and Other Disasters

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Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions

A new study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed that wildfire smoke may play a direct role in worsening mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions

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Preparing for Wildfires: Embracing Community Partnerships and Technology to Save Lives

The former fire chief and fire coordinator for the Weatherford College Fire Academy in Weatherford, Texas, who collaborated with Underwriters Laboratories and NIST on studies that advanced firefighting tactics, safety protocols and building code developments, discussed how community partnerships and technology can better deal with worsening wildfires.

Preparing for Wildfires: Embracing Community Partnerships and Technology to Save Lives

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Coastal Carolina regions at ‘above average’ risk of significant wildfires through June, experts say

The National Interagency Fire Center announced on Tuesday that coastal regions from Georgia to North Carolina and all of Florida have above average chances of seeing significant wildfires through June.

Coastal Carolina regions at ‘above average’ risk of significant wildfires through June, experts say

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The boots on the ground in the fight against wildfires

Smokejumpers from the US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management in Alaska, and the BC Wildfire Service in British Columbia, Canada discussed how they parachute into rugged terrain to snuff wildfires which would otherwise be inaccessible to wildland firefighters on the ground.

The boots on the ground in the fight against wildfires

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On the heels of a dry winter, firefighters around the US brace for wildfire risks

From the southwestern U.S. to Minnesota and Iowa, and even to parts of New Jersey, one of the driest winters on record, with snowpack that was nearly nonexistent in some spots, has left behind vegetation that remains tinder dry, producing an elevated wildfire risk in many states.

On the heels of a dry winter, firefighters around the US brace for wildfire risks

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