Wildland Fire: Safety

Firefighter and public safety is the highest priority of fire management activities.

The National Park Service incorporates risk management principles into all aspects of our wildland fire program, from planning documents to operational tactics.

Highlights

A prescribed fire at Gettysburg National Military Park
Wildland Fire

Managing Risk

Information and resources about wildland fire safety for employees and park visitors, and the importance of wildfire awareness.

Prescribed burns at Grand Teton National Park
Wildland Fire

Lessons Learned

The wildland fire community uses lessons from the past and present to modify behavior and practices in order to improve for the future.

A helicopter flies over a forest with a smoke plume rising.
Wildland Fire

Reviews and Investigations

Every incident receives some level of review. There are formal processes in place to document accidents and lessons learned.

Firefighter carries a rake in a smokey field.
Mental and physical wellbeing is critical to the success of the exceptional wildland firefighters who protect our public lands.

Featured Articles

Aerial view of large wildfire in forest with torching trees and smoke.
Wildland Fire

Wildfire Awareness

Wildfire season rotates around the country, but a wildfire could happen at any time if the conditions are right. Be prepared!

The Nature Trail prescribed fire, completed in the late fall of 2011 was key to fuels reduction in C
Wildland Fire

Firefighting Orders

10 Standard Firefighting Orders & 18 Watch-Out Situations promote firefighter safety.

Last updated: February 7, 2025