Equipment

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service continually innovates and adopts the latest technological advances in equipment that demonstrably improve our ability to protect lives, communities, and landscapes. 

From wildland firefighting vehicles to location-based services and remote weather stations, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service equips its workforce with modern equipment that supports safer, more effective wildland fire management.  

Wildland Fire Vehicles 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service maintains a fleet of specialized vehicles and heavy equipment designed for wildland fire operations in remote, rugged terrain under extreme conditions. 

Wildland Fire Engines 

Wildland fire engines are purpose-built for off-road operations in challenging environments. These vehicles carry water tanks, pumps, hoses, and hand tools needed for initial attack and support of larger wildfire operations. 

Water Tenders 

Water tenders transport large quantities of water to remote locations where natural water sources are unavailable or insufficient. These vehicles support engine operations and enable sustained firefighting efforts in areas far from water infrastructure. 

Heavy Equipment 

Dozers and other heavy equipment create removing excess vegetation that can fuel wildfires. This equipment is essential for constructing control lines on large fires and for rehabilitation work removing dead and hazardous trees and other vegetation in the aftermath of a fire. 

Support Vehicles 

A variety of specialized support vehicles enable fire operations, including crew carriers for transporting firefighters, command vehicles that can serve as mobile incident command hubs, and maintenance vehicles for servicing equipment in the field. 

Personal Protective Equipment 

Firefighter safety depends on high-quality personal protective equipment designed specifically for the unique hazards of wildland fires. 

Fire Shelters 

Modern fire shelters provide critical protection if firefighters become entrapped by fire. These lightweight, portable shelters reflect radiant heat and provide breathable air in emergency situations. 

Protective Clothing 

Fire-resistant clothing protects firefighters from heat, flames, and abrasion. U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel wear specialized shirts, pants, gloves, and boots designed to withstand the rigors of wildland fire operations. 

Safety Equipment 

Hard hats, eye protection, and hearing are essential to reduce the risk to firefighters from falling debris, noise, and other occupational hazards in the wildland fire environment. Wildland fire personnel may also voluntarily use an N95 respirator when not on the fireline to provide some level of protection against smoke and dust.  

Communication Equipment 

Reliable communication is fundamental for firefighter safety and effective incident management. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service deploys communication systems that enable clear, dependable communication across large, remote incident areas. 

Radios 

Individual firefighters carry portable radios that maintain contact with crew leaders, overhead personnel, and dispatch centers. Mobile radios installed in vehicles provide higher-power communication and serve as communication hubs for crews working in the field. 

Repeater Systems 

Temporary repeater installations extend radio coverage across large incidents and in mountainous terrain where line-of-sight communications would otherwise be impossible. These systems are rapidly deployed to support incident communications needs. 

Satellite Communications 

In areas beyond the reach of traditional radio systems, satellite communication technology ensures that firefighters can maintain contact with incident command. This technology is particularly critical for remote operations and provides a critical safety backup. 

Location-Based Services 

The ability to track the location of personnel and equipment in real-time represents a significant advancement in wildfire safety and efficiency. When fire managers can view the precise location of personnel or vehicles during an incident, they can make faster, better-informed decisions as conditions change on the ground. 

Benefits of location-based services include: 

• Enhanced Safety: Knowing where crews and equipment are located enables rapid response if firefighters need assistance or evacuation.
• Improved Efficiency: Real-time visibility allows fire managers to redeploy resources quickly as priorities shift.
• Better Coordination: Accurate resource location data supports seamless coordination across multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
• Rapid Response: Managers can quickly identify which crews are closest to new ignitions that require immediate attention. 

Working in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service developed requirements for tracking technology in wildfire operations. Satellite terminals have already been installed on many wildland fire engines, dozers, water tenders, and other critical support vehicles, enabling managers to maintain situational awareness across complex, dynamic incidents. 

Remote Sensors 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service employs a variety of remote sensor technology to detect wildfires early, monitor fire behavior in real time, and assess environment conditions. These sensors can be deployed on towers, aircraft, and satellites to provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities. 

We implement advanced wildfire detection capabilities using satellite technology through partnerships with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey.  

This technology can detect wildfires early, provide firefighters a more detailed look at wildfire conditions, allow faster hot spot detection, and provide the ability to rack wildfire progression in real time. 

Satellite oversedations are also critical for monitoring smoke from fires, which can inform the deployment of aviation resources. 

Remote Automated Weather Stations 

Weather conditions directly influence fire behavior and firefighter safety. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service deploys remote automated weather stations (RAWS) to provide real-time meteorological data essential for wildland fire management. 

This continuous stream of localized weather data enables fire managers to predict fire behavior, anticipate dangerous conditions, and make informed decisions about tactics and firefighter deployment. The data is transmitted via satellite and integrated into fire behavior models and decision support tools used by incident management teams. 

The strategic placement of RAWS stations creates a network of weather monitoring across diverse landscapes, from desert rangelands to forested mountains, ensuring that fire managers have accurate, location-specific information when and where they need it.