Photo Gallery

The NPS Wildland Fire program is diverse and detailed. Photos reveal its stories and successes.

On the Fire Line

People are the primary resource fire managers utilize. Their assistance is diverse, and they can be asked to do many things on the fireline, like digging containment line, back-burning, holding and monitoring the line, and deploying hose-lays and water.

Collaboration is a common way to achieve fireline objectives, train new employees and mitigate errors. (NPS Photo by Mike Johnson, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico; 2009)

(NPS Photo by Joyce Umbach, Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico; 2007)

(NPS Photo, Everglades National Park, Florida; 2002)

Tree felling is a frequent—and one of the most hazardous—jobs on the fireline. Sawyers go out in pairs, with one running the chainsaw as the spotter looks for hazards. (NPS Photo, Glacier National Park, Montana; 2001)

Lookouts (of LCES) can be staged far from the fire, across the valley or above the treeline, or sent out as scouts along the fireline to determine hazards, plans, and to 'tiein' with other crews. (NPS Photo, Glacier National Park, Montana; 2001)

Relocating around the fire can be an hourly occurrence, requiring crews to organize and hike quickly. (NPS Photo, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming; 2010)

(NPS Photo, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i; 2002)

(NPS Photo, New River Gorge National River, West Virginia; 2006)

(NPS Photo, Lassen National Forest, California; 2009)

(NPS Photo, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota; 2007)

Prescribed burning involves a lot of planning and participation. After weather and fuel conditions are acceptable, firefighters stand ready to control the burn when fire hits the ground. (NPS Photo by Brandon Oberhardt, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota; 2008)

(NPS Photo, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, California; 2003)

(NPS Photo, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, California; 2003)

(NPS Photo by Mike Johnson, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; 2009)

Briefing is important before and during wildland fire operations �?? Fulfilling one component of LCES (Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) firefighter guidelines for safely engaging a wildfire. (NPS Photo, Yosemite National Park, California; 2003)

Crews set up hose-lays around the fire perimeter, establishing a containment 'wet-line', ready for putting out hot spots, and preparing for 'mop-up' or completely extinguishing the fire. (NPS Photo by Kelly Martin, Yosemite National Park, California; 2007)