National Wildfire Suppression Association

08/26/2026

From hand crews and heavy equipment to water handling, medical support, mobile facilities, and specialized resources—our industry brings capability when it's needed most.
NWSA represents a powerful network of private-sector companies working alongside federal, state, and local agencies to meet the challenges of today's wildfire environment.

08/21/2026

A successful wildfire response requires an entire support system.
NWSA member companies provide:
Hand crews
Dozers, excavators, feller bunchers & mastication equipment
Engines, tenders & skiddines
Ambulances & medical trailers
Sleepers, kitchens & showers
Command & communication resources
Support and service trucks
Portable tanks & pump units
It's an entire industry built around being ready to support wildfire response.

08/18/2026

NWSA brings together professional private wildland fire companies from across the country to strengthen our industry, build relationships, share knowledge, and advocate for the role private contractors play in wildfire response. With 367 member companies across 27 states, NWSA gives private-sector fire professionals a stronger collective voice.

08/14/2026

The Northwest continues to carry a significant share of the nation's fire activity:
Oregon — 24 large fires
Washington — 20
Idaho — 10
Montana — 9
More than 3.8 million acres are associated with active large fires nationwide, and the nation remains at Preparedness Level 5, reflecting the continued demand for firefighting resources.
NWSA member companies continue to work alongside our agency partners, providing professional personnel, equipment, and specialized resources where they are needed most.

08/11/2026

Wildfire response is strongest when we work together. Federal and state agencies remain the backbone of our nation's wildfire response. At the same time, professional private wildland fire contractors provide the surge capacity needed to expand operations during periods of extreme fire activity.

Partnership—not replacement.

08/08/2026

May he rest in peace our thoughts are with his family.

🖤 END OF WATCH — JASON ENSIGN 🖤
Wrights Spring Fire | Chiloquin, Oregon
August 6, 2026

The wildland fire community is mourning the loss of Jason Ensign, 47, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, a dozer operator with Green Diamond Timber Resource Company who lost his life while supporting firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire.

Jason was doing one of the most demanding and dangerous jobs on the fireline — operating heavy equipment in an environment where fuels, terrain, smoke, wind and fire behavior can change rapidly.

Preliminary information indicates the fire experienced rapid and unexpected growth, reportedly cutting off Jason’s escape route to his safety zone while he was engaged in fireline operations.

Jason answered the call to help. He went to work alongside firefighters protecting communities and supporting the suppression effort.

He did not come home.

My personal thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to Jason’s family, friends, coworkers and fellow firefighters during this incredibly difficult time. May they find strength in knowing that Jason’s service and sacrifice will be remembered by the wildland fire community.

Jason Ensign — End of Watch: August 6, 2026.

🖤 Rest easy, Jason. We’ll take it from here.

⚠️ SAFETY MESSAGE — DOZER & FIRELINE OPERATIONS

Dozer operators routinely work in some of the most hazardous locations on a wildfire. Heavy equipment provides tremendous capability, but a dozer is not a substitute for a safety zone.

Maintain LCES — Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes and Safety Zones. Continually evaluate fire behavior, weather and winds. Maintain communications with your crew and adjoining resources. Identify escape routes before committing and continually reassess whether those routes remain viable.

Remember and apply the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations. When conditions change, STOP. REASSESS. COMMUNICATE.

No piece of fireline, structure or assignment is worth a life. Look out for your operators. Look out for your crews. Look out for one another.

— Retired Division Chief Will Spyrison
InciNotes Administrator

08/08/2026

Our thoughts are with those lost and thier families during this difficult time.

🚨 BREAKING UPDATE | TWO PILOTS KILLED IN SKYCRANE CRASH ON THE WIDEMOUTH 2 FIRE 🚨

The wildland fire community continues to mourn the loss of two pilots following the tragic crash of a U.S. Forest Service Exclusive Use (EU) Skycrane helicopter while supporting suppression operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah.

The helicopter crashed shortly after departing on an aerial firefighting mission, resulting in a catastrophic post-impact fire. Both pilots were killed in the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the accident, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators remain on scene gathering evidence, and officials have not yet released the identities of the pilots, the aircraft registration, or any preliminary findings.

Meanwhile, firefighters continue battling the Widemouth 2 Fire, which has grown to more than 106,000 acres and remains one of the largest active wildfires in the nation. Hundreds of firefighters, along with helicopters, air tankers, and heavy equipment, remain committed to protecting communities and limiting further fire growth.

This tragedy serves as a solemn reminder of the extraordinary risks faced by firefighting aviation crews. Every flight is launched with one purpose—to protect lives, property, and natural resources—and every loss is deeply felt throughout the firefighting community.

⚠️ Safety Message: Today we honor the sacrifice of these two aviators and stand with their families, friends, and fellow firefighters. Aviation safety begins long before takeoff and continues through every mission. Never become complacent, speak up when something doesn’t look right, and remember that every safe decision has the potential to save a life.

08/06/2026

A warm welcome to our newest NWSA members!
Every new member brings valuable experience, expertise, and a shared commitment to supporting the wildland fire community.

08/05/2026

Private Wildland Fire Contractors Have Nearly 14,000 Firefighters on the Fireline as Northwest Wildfires Rage

As wildfires burn across Oregon, Washington and the broader Northwest during one of the most severe fire seasons in years, the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) is highlighting a number that often gets lost in daily fire coverage: member companies have thousands of resources and roughly 14,000 professional private-sector personnel deployed on active incidents nationwide, with more standing ready as new orders come in.

As wildfires burn across Oregon, Washington and the broader Northwest during one of the most severe fire seasons in years, the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) is highlighting a number that often gets lost in daily fire coverage: member companies have thousands of resources and rough...

08/02/2026

Approximately 6,000 personnel and resources from professional private wildland fire companies are currently assigned to incidents across the country, working alongside our agency partners. These crews provide critical support and specialized wildfire resources that help meet the demands of one of the busiest fire seasons in recent years.