National Interagency

Coordination Center

Wildland Fire

Summary and Statistics

Annual Report

2009
1

Table of Contents

Identifier Legend........................................................................................................................ 2

Preface ...................................................................................................................................... 3

2009 Fire Season Summary...................................................................................................... 4

National Fire Activity Synopsis ................................................................................................ 11

Fires and Complexes Over 40,000 Acres in 2009 ................................................................... 12

Significant Fire Activity............................................................................................................. 13

Wildfires Reported to NICC ..................................................................................................... 15

National Preparedness Levels................................................................................................. 29

National Preparedness Level Summary............................................................................... 30

Incident Management Team Mobilizations .............................................................................. 31

Department of Defense Mobilization........................................................................................ 37

Crew Mobilization .................................................................................................................... 37

Engine Mobilization ................................................................................................................. 40

Overhead Mobilization............................................................................................................. 43

Helicopter Mobilization............................................................................................................. 45

Fixed Wing Aircraft Mobilization .............................................................................................. 49

Large Transportation Aircraft................................................................................................... 53

Light Cargo and Passenger Flights by Requesting Agency and Geographic Area.................. 55

Equipment Services Mobilization............................................................................................. 56

Radio and Weather Equipment Mobilization............................................................................ 58

Average Worst Summary......................................................................................................... 60

NICC Benchmarks................................................................................................................... 61

Acronyms and Terminology..................................................................................................... 62

National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State ................................................ 63
2

Identifier Legend 

Interagency Coordination Centers

NICC: National Interagency Coordination Center

NIFC: National Interagency Fire Center

CIIFC: Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre 

AK: Alaska Area

EA: Eastern Area

GB: Great Basin Area

NO: Northern California Area

NR: Northern Rockies Area

NW: Northwest Area

RM: Rocky Mountain Area

SA: Southern Area

SW: Southwest Area

SO: Southern California Area

Federal Government Agencies

FS: Forest Service

BIA: Bureau of Indian Affairs

BLM: Bureau of Land Management

FWS: Fish and Wildlife Service

NPS: National Park Service

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency

ESF4: Emergency Support Function, Firefighting

NWS: National Weather Service

DOE: Department of Energy

DOD: Department of Defense

International Partners

AU: Australia

CN: Canada

MX: Mexico

NZ: New Zealand

Other Providers/Ownership

CNTY: County

OT: Other

PRI: Private

ST: State

ST/OT: State/Other Combined
3

Preface

Statistics used in this report were gathered from the Fire and Aviation Management Web 

Applications (FAMWEB) system, which includes the Situation Report and Incident Status 

Summary (ICS-209) programs. Previous National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) 

annual reports and other sources were also used in this document. The statistics presented here

are intended to provide a national perspective of annual fire activity but may not reflect official 

figures for a specific agency. The statistics are delineated by agency and Geographic Areas. Pie 

chart figures are rounded to the nearest whole percentage point. This document is available 

electronically at the National Interagency Coordination Center web page: NICC Annual Report 

2009.

For agency-specific details or official numbers contact the individual agency.

Resource mobilization statistics used in this report were gathered from the Resource Ordering 

and Status System (ROSS), which tracks tactical, logistical, service and support resources 

mobilized by the national incident dispatch coordination system. The statistics presented in this 

report are the resources requested by one of the eleven Geographic Area Coordination Centers

and processed through NICC. Requests by FEMA are placed to NICC through Emergency 

Support Function (ESF) #4, Firefighting. The resource ordering process and procedures may be 

found in chapter 20 of the National Mobilization Guide. The National Mobilization Guide can be 

found on the NICC web site National Interagency Mobilization Guide.
4

National Interagency Coordination Center

2009 Fire Season Summary 

Winter (December 2008 – February 2009)

The winter (December through February) of 2008-2009 was drier than normal over most of the 

country, except wetter than normal over the north-central Plains and Great Lakes area. Texas 

recorded its driest winter on record with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Oklahoma reporting 

one of top ten driest winters. The South and Southwest experienced a rather warm winter, while 

the Great Lakes were cooler than average. Alaska was generally warmer than normal with 

Fairbanks reporting near normal precipitation for the season. Drought conditions persisted 

across portions of the West, Southeast, Texas and the Dakotas. 

 

The National Seasonal Assessment Workshops (NSAWs) were held in late January for the 

Eastern and Southern states, and in mid-April for the Western states and Alaska. These 

workshops brought together fire managers, fire intelligence personnel, predictive services 

meteorologists, and climatologists from across the United States to develop fire season outlooks 

for their respective Geographic Areas. This year’s January workshop was held in conjunction 

international participants from Mexico and the April workshop was held in conjunction with 

international participants from Mexico and Canada. The April workshop was the fourth annual 

North American Seasonal Assessment Workshop (NASAW), part of an ongoing effort to 

coordinate fire potential outlooks among the three countries. Reports from these workshops can 

be found at: Predictive Services Outlooks.

The initial seasonal outlook reports for the Southern, Eastern, and Southwest Areas called for 

above normal significant fire potential over Oklahoma, much of Texas, eastern New Mexico and 

portions of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern seaboard. Below normal significant fire 

potential was forecast from northeast Mississippi to southern Kentucky. Normal potential was 

forecast for the remainder of the area (see image). 
5

By late January, fire activity in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Florida had picked up with 

numerous fires exceeding 1,000 acres in size. By early February a Type 2 IMT had been 

assigned to Texas to support extended attack operations. Fire activity began to increase in the 

Rocky Mountain, Eastern and Southwest Areas by mid-February, but these large fires were 

rapidly contained. By the end of February, the Southern Area was very active with numerous 

large fires mostly in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. The Southern Area had 7,424 fires (133

percent of normal) during January and February, which burned 136,020 acres (118 percent of 

normal) for the same time period. 

Spring (March – May)

Spring was warmer than normal in Alaska as well as the Southwest and Northeast quarters of 

the country. After a dry winter, the Southeast experienced its second wettest spring on record. 

The West was mixture of wet and dry regions with much below normal rainfall in California. 

According to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, the 32-month period of October 2006-May 

2009 ranks as the second driest period in California dating back to 1895. Mountain snow 

amounts across the West were below average in California and the Southwest and above 

average in the Cascades. As of May 1, 2009, snowpack levels in the Alaska interior were 

generally above normal. The interior of Alaska was drier than normal in May. 

 

The Southern Area continued to have an active spring fire season and by the end of May had 

experienced 26,271 fires which burned 897,496 acres (which is 134 percent of their normal yearto-date acres based on a 10-year average). Rainfall deficits were primarily centered in southern 
6

California and Nevada, western Arizona, southeast Texas and portions of the central plains (see 

image). Fuels were exceptionally dry in these areas with Energy Release Component values 

approaching or exceeding the 90th percentile or historic maximums in several locations, 

especially in Texas. By late April, large fire activity began to taper off in Texas and pick up in 

Florida and the Eastern, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain Areas. Elsewhere, wildfire activity 

across the West was running well below normal, both in terms of overall fires and acres burned. 

By the end of May, fire season 2009 could be described as slightly above average nationally, 

primarily due to the fire activity in the Southern, Eastern, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest Areas. 

Nationally, there were 41,655 fires and 1,400,185 acres reported burned. This is 127 percent of 

the 10-year average for fires and 136 percent of acres burned. 

Wildfire activity in the Eastern Area was above average during the spring. By May 31, 11,552 

fires had been reported, which burned 109,988 acres. This is 144 percent above average for fire 

occurrences, and 119 percent above average for acres burned. Wildfire activity in Alaska, 

California, Northwest, and Western Great Basin Areas was above normal in terms fires, but 

below average for the number of acres burned by this date.

Summer (June – August)

The weather patterns for the summer of 2009 featured recurring low-pressure systems and 

coolness over the central states with high pressure and above normal warmth in the West and 

southern states. The Southwest, southern Texas and portions of the Northwest were hotter and 

drier than normal with Phoenix recording their warmest month (August) on record. Seattle had 

its hottest July ever setting a new all-time high temperature of 103 on July 29, 2009. The 

Southwest monsoon was much drier than normal, especially in Arizona. In Alaska, June and the 

first part of July were warmer and drier than normal with July going down as the second warmest 

on record. The end of July turned quite wet with the fire season ending in August. 
7

Mountain snowpack amounts across the West were significantly lower as of May 1 this year than 

in 2008. However, a rather cool spring kept higher elevation fuels moist through the early 

summer months in many locations. National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) Energy 

Release Component (ERC) values were predominantly below average across most of the Rocky 

Mountains, Northern Rockies, and mountains of Idaho through August. However, much of 

California, western Oregon and Washington saw ERC values reaching critical values, in some 

cases setting new records, by mid-July, then moderating after early August. Fuels in southwest 

Oregon were particularly dry with ERC values spiking well above critical values several times 

from early June through the end of August. The image above displays a 2009 ERC index trace 

for southwest Oregon overlaid on the average and one-standard deviation bars for each day 

since 1990. The image shows how fuels steadily dried out and fire danger indices climbed until 

early August before rainfall helped to moderate conditions. This reprieve was short lived before 

fuels dried again causing ERC values to resurge to above the 97th percentile. 

Alaska experienced a very dry summer with an extended period of numerous large fires. Fuels 

were extremely dry across much of eastern Alaska through early August. Canadian Fine Fuel 

Moisture Code values reached very high to extreme values in early June with Buildup Index 

(BUI) values reaching critical levels by June 10 across most of eastern Alaska (see image). It 

wasn’t until the end of the first week in August that rainfall and cooler weather finally drove BUI 

indices down below critical levels and kept them there through the end of the month. The image 

shown displays a 2009 BUI index trace for southeast Alaska overlaid on the average and oneStandard Deviation bars for each day since 1990. From early July through early August, BUI 

indices were basically setting new records for dryness in the mid to deep duff layers across much 

of Alaska. By the end of July, Alaska had 468 fires (115 percent of normal) that burned 2,081,295 
8

acres, which is 186 percent of normal. By the end of August, 511 fires had burned 2,934,455

acres, which is 171 percent of normal.

Fuels in many southern California areas began drying rapidly around the third week of June. By 

mid-July dead fuel moistures were reaching near record low levels in the western mountains 

adjacent to Los Angeles. ERC values rapidly climbed above average levels by early July and 

then hovered near the 90th percentile beginning in mid-July. By August 9, the La Brea fire 

occurred on the Los Padres National Forest, and eventually grew to approximately 90,000 acres 

in size. It was one of several large, long duration, and costly fires to occur during the summer in 

southern California. On August 28, the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest began, and

eventually grew to over 160,000 acres. Fuels remained critically dry across much of California 

through August. 

Fuels across the Idaho, western Montana, and the higher elevation areas of Utah, Colorado and 

Wyoming remained fairly moist through most of the summer with few large fire issues in forested 

areas. Most of the large fires in the interior West were in grass and brush fuel types. 

Concurrently, there were numerous large fires in higher elevation timbered areas that were 

primarily being managed to accomplish resource benefit objectives. 

Central Texas remained dry and saw continued above average fire activity through the majority 

of the period. Although the number of fires remained high in Texas, the acres burned decreased 

with the transition of spring to summer weather patterns characterized by intense drying but less 

frequent and weaker wind events. The bulk of the fire activity shifted into west/central Texas with 

fires spreading in cured grass with brush and timber fuels adding to fire intensity and persistence. 

Western Great Basin was another area that saw a significant jump in fire danger during June 

and July. Although the area had abundant dry fuels, by the end of August the Western Great 

Basin had only burned 7 percent of their normal year-to-date acres. 

During August, fire activity picked up considerably across portions of southern Utah and western 

Colorado. Much of the West saw frequent mixed wet and dry lightning storms, yet initial attack 

and large fire activity continued to be below normal for the most part. Nationally, the 

preparedness level never exceeded PL-3, which is very unusual for the peak of fire season. 

In the East, frequent wetting rain events kept summer fire activity near normal in the Eastern 

Area and below normal across much of the Southern Area, except for Texas. Many areas with 

extended drought saw much needed relief.

Nationally, by the end of August, 64,863 fires had occurred, burning 5,294,329 acres. This 

represents 105 percent of the number of fires, but only 94 percent of total acres burned as a 

comparison to the 10-year national average. Last year 537 fewer fires had occurred, and 

669,836 fewer acres had burned by August 31. Overall, most Geographic Areas experienced 

below average numbers of fires and acres burned from June through August. The most notable 

exceptions were Alaska and the Southwest. Alaska reported 511 fires year-to-date, burning 

2,934,455 acres, which is 116 percent of its 10-year fire average, and 194 percent of its 10-year 

average for acres burned. The Southwest reported 2,923 fires year-to-date and 601,763 acres 

burned as of August 31, or 76 percent of its 10-year fire average, but 139 percent of its 10-year 

average for acres burned. Portions of central Texas remained active through the end of August 

due to persistent and exceptionally dry fuels.
9

Geographic Areas that experienced below average fire seasons in 2009 (for both number of fires 

and number of acres burned) were the Northwest, Northern California, Northern Rockies, Great 

Basin (both Eastern and Western), and Rocky Mountain. Southern California experienced 106 

percent of its average number of fires yet burned just 66 percent of its average acres. The 

Eastern Area had 123 percent of its average number of fires that burned 109 percent of average 

year-to-date acres. The Southern Area had 112 percent of its average number of fires burning 

114 percent of average year-to-date acres. The majority of the fires and acres in both the Eastern 

and Southern Areas occurred prior to June.

The National Seasonal Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook issued on May 1, 2009, called 

for above-normal significant fire potential across much of Florida and portions of the Southwest, 

with increasing to above normal potential in portions of California, Arizona, New Mexico and 

Washington. Significant fire potential was expected to decrease from above normal in portions 

of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas and New Mexico during the June through August time period. 

The map below depicts the Seasonal Wildland Fire Potential Outlook with the significant fires 

reported during the same period.

Fall (September – November)

The West experienced its warmest September on record. It was also quite dry, particularly in the 

Pacific Northwest. The Northern Plains were also quite warm, with cooler than average weather 

in the central states and New England. The Southeast was much wetter than normal. In October, 

a series of cold fronts brought colder and wetter than usual weather to most of the country except 

for dry weather in the Southwest and Florida. November saw the return of warmer and drier than 

normal weather to much of the nation. The graphics below show the September through 

November temperatures and precipitation. For Alaska, the fall was warmer than normal with 

below average precipitation over most of the interior. 
10

Military and International Resource Mobilizations

There were no military activations in support of wildland fires in 2009. In February the United 

States sent three Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) teams, a 20 person crew and 

15 fire specialists (a total of 73 personnel) to Australia. The last of these resources were released 

in early April. The U.S. also provided one national Type 1 Incident Management Team and 20 

smokejumpers to British Columbia, Canada, in August. 

Hurricane Support

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season experienced below normal tropical activity for the summer, 

with below-normal activity the remainder of the fall hurricane season. By September 11, there 

had been seven named storms, including two hurricanes, both of which were major hurricanes 

(Category 3 or higher). Only one tropical system, Tropical Storm Claudette, impacted the U.S. 

coastline. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with August and 

September typically being the most active months. Normal activity for the hurricane season is

11 named storms with six becoming hurricanes. Early season tropical forecasts called for 

normal to below normal tropical activity for the 2009 season, with mid-season updates 

reinforcing the initial forecast. No Incident Management Teams were requested in support of 

tropical storm activity. Map courtesy of Unisys Corporation.
11

National Fire Activity Synopsis

The 2009 fire season was slightly above normal for number of reported wildfires. There were 

291 more fires reported than the average for the past ten years. There were 78,792 wildfires 

reported (compared to 78,949 wildfires reported in 2008). This represents 97 percent of the 10-

year average, and almost exactly the 20-year average for wildfires. The number of acres burned 

in 2009 was 5,921,786. This represents 85 percent of the 10-year average, and 115 percent of

the 20-year average for acres burned.

Five Geographic Areas reported above average number of fires in 2009: Alaska, California, 

Eastern, Southern, and Southern and Northern Operations (California) Areas. Three Geographic 

Areas experienced above average acres burned in 2009, Alaska, Southwest and Southern 

Areas. The Rocky Mountain Area experienced just 69 percent of its average number of fires, 

and burned just 33 percent of its 10-year average for acres.

Twenty-seven fires or complexes exceeded 40,000 acres in size in 2009, compared to 24 in 

2008. Alaska had the highest number at 17, including the seven largest in 2009. Other 

Geographic Areas that had fires over 40,000 acres included Southern California Area, Southern 

Area, Western and Eastern Great Basin Areas, Northwest Area and Southwest Area. 

While the 12,429 prescribed fire projects reported in 2009 were lower than the 10-year average

of 14,846 projects, the 2,531,133 acres accomplished were slightly above the 10-year average

of 2,347,067 acres. 

Fire activity in 2009 kept the national Preparedness Level to no higher than 3 for only the sixth 

time since 1990. The 275 days at PL 1 in 2009 was the highest since 1992, which had 278 days 

at PL 1.

The demand for national Incident Management Teams was significantly lower in 2009 than in 

recent years. National Type 1 Teams were mobilized just 10 times and spent just 125 days on 

assignments. This includes one assignment to British Columbia, Canada. This is down 

considerably from last year when Type 1 teams were mobilized 44 times and spent 609 days 

assigned to incidents.

National Type 2 Teams were mobilized 62 times and spent 571 days assigned in 2009 (figures 

include both national and regional teams). This is roughly half the assignments and assignment

days as occurred in 2008.

There were no Area Command Team mobilizations in 2009. Four National Incident Management 

Organizations (NIMO) were mobilized nine times to fire and non-fire incidents.
12

Significant Fire Activity

Fires and Complexes Over 40,000 Acres in 2009

Information derived from ICS-209 reports.

Name

Inc.

Type

GACC State Start Date

Contain or 

Control Date

Size

(Acres)

Cause

Estimated 

Cost

Chester WF SA OK 10-Jul-09 17-Jul-09 41,497 U $250,000

Bluff Creek WF AK AK 26-Jul-09 10-Nov-09 41,756 L NR

Big Pole WF EB UT 6-Aug-09 9-Nov-09 44,345 L NR

Dry Creek Complex WF NW WA 20-Aug-09 24-Aug-09 48,902 L $870,000

Bear Creek WF AK AK 17-Jun-09 25-Sep-09 50,897 L NR

Putnam WF SA OK 5-Mar-09 11-Mar-09 52,790 N NR

East Slide Rock Ridge WF WB NV 10-Aug-08 7-Apr-09 54,549 L NR

Cato WF SW NM 10-Jun-09 13-Jun-09 55,080 L $460,000

Chakina WF AK AK 2-Jul-09 25-Aug-09 56,413 L $1,933,616

Loco/Healdton WF SA OK 9-Apr-09 15-Apr-09 56,688 U NR

Rock Slough WF AK AK 30-Jun-09 10-Nov-09 62,313 L NR

Sheenjek WF AK AK 2-Jul-09 1-Oct-09 62,658 L $245,000

Stevens Creek #1 WF AK AK 18-Jun-09 10-Nov-09 85,909 L NR

La Brea WF SO CA 8-Aug-09 5-Oct-09 89,489 H NR

Pasco WF SW NM 10-Jun-09 23-Jun-09 93,029 L $450,000

Rex Creek * WF AK AK 2-Aug-09 September 101,150 L NR

Wood River 1 WF AK AK 12-Jul-09 September 125,382 L NR

Nowitna WF AK AK 13-Jun-09 August 126,582 L NR

Zitziana WF AK AK 17-Jun-09 August 141,125 L NR

Station WF SO CA 26-Aug-09 22-Nov-09 160,577 H $95,510,000

Tonclonukna Creek WF AK AK 23-May-09 July 164,318 L $2,969,556

Titna River WF AK AK 11-Jul-09 August 164,542 L NR

Big Creek WF AK AK 18-Jul-09 18-Aug-09 169,639 L $820,825

Little Black One ** WF AK AK 20-Jun-09 August 349,450 L NR

Crazy Mountain

Complex ** WF AK AK 20-Jun-09 August 447,420 L NR

Minto Flats South * WF AK AK 21-Jun-09 July 517,078 L NR

Railbelt Complex * WF AK AK 21-Jun-09 August 636,224 L NR

WF – Wildfire L - Lightning H – Human U - Unknown NR – Not Reported

Information in the above table was derived from ICS-209 reports submitted in the Fire and Aviation Management 

Web Applications system (FAMWEB). Information shown may not reflect official final figures.

* Minto Flats South and Rex Creek fires were part of the Railbelt Complex (those acres are included in the complex 

total).

** Little Black One was part of the Crazy Mountain Complex (those acres are included in the complex total).
13

Significant Fire Activity

There were 1,101 large or significant wildfires reported to NICC during 2009 (from ICS-209 

reports submitted in the FAMWEB reporting system). The maps below depict the locations of 

these fires.
14

Significant Fire Activity

Significant fires are defined in the National Mobilization Guide as fires that are a minimum of 100 

acres in timber fuel types and 300 acres in grass and brush fuel types, or are managed by a 

Type 1, 2, WFMT or NIMO incident management team. 

Percent of Reported Significant Fires by Geographic Area
15

Wildfires Reported to NICC

There were 78,792 wildfires reported, which burned 5,921,786 acres in 2009. These figures are

below both the five-year and ten-year averages for both wildfires and acres.
16

Wildfire Acres Reported to NICC
17

Wildfire Activity Levels by Geographic Area

Percent of Geographic Area wildfire activity in 2009 compared to the previous 10 years. 
18

Alaska Wildfire Activity

In 2009 Alaska burned 50 percent of all acres in the U.S. Over the past 10 years Alaska has 

burned an average of 34 percent of total acres annually. The chart below compares annual acres 

burned between Alaska and continental U.S. (includes Hawai’i).
19

Wildfires by Agency

ST / OT – States and other non-federal 
20

Wildfire Acres by Agency

ST / OT – States and other non-federal 
21

Lightning Fires and Acres by Geographic Area 

Number of Lightning Caused Fires

Number of Lightning Caused Acres Burned
22

Human Caused Fires and Acres by Geographic Area

Number of Human Caused Fires

Number of Human Caused Acres Burned
22

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Agency
23

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Geographic Area
24

Prescribed Fire Projects and Acres

National reporting of prescribed fires began in 1998.
25

Prescribed Fire Projects and Acres by Agency
26

Prescribed Fire Projects by Agency and Geographic Area

National reporting of Prescribed Fire projects and acres began in 1998.

Prescribed Fire Projects by Agency

Comparison of current year to 10-year averages.
27

Prescribed Fire Projects by Geographic Area

Comparison of current year to 10-year averages.
28

Wildland Fire Use Fires and Acres

Wildland Fire Use incidents were merged with wildfires in 2009 and are no longer reported

separately. The charts below are provided for historical reference.
29

National Preparedness Levels

There were no days at national Preparedness Levels (PL) 4 and 5 in 2009. The national PL was 

elevated to PL 2 on July 9 (a record for the latest date in the year to elevate to PL 2), then to PL 

3 from July 30 to August 20, when it dropped back to PL 2. The PL was elevated back to 3 for 

seven days on September 1 before dropping back to PL 2. It returned to PL 1 on October 7 for 

the remainder of the year.

National Preparedness Level records of note: January 4, 2006, was the earliest date PL 2 was 

declared; May 12, 2000, was the earliest that PL 3 was declared; June 10, 2002, was the earliest 

that PL 4 was declared; June 21, 2002, was the earliest that PL 5 was declared; September 15, 

2006 was the latest date in the year at PL 5.
30

National Preparedness Level Summary

In 2009 there were no days national Preparedness Levels 4 and 5.
31

Incident Management Team Mobilizations

Daily commitment of Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams, during the height of the 

2009 fire season are shown in the charts below. Figures are based on IMT information provided 

on ICS-209 reports.

In 2009 none of the four Area Command Teams were activated. Four National Incident 

Management Organization (NIMO) teams were activated nine times between May 7 and the end 

of the year for a total of 199 assignment days in 2009. Six assignments were wildland fire, and 

three were non-fire.

The tables below show a daily count of Type 1 and Type 2 teams assigned from June 1 to 

October 31 (Type 2 includes Wildland Fire Management Teams).
32

Type 1 Incident Management Team Mobilization

Seventeen national Type 1 Teams were available in 2009. Ten were mobilized in 2009. One 

assignment was filled through NICC to British Columbia, Canada. National Type 1 Teams were 

assigned a combined total of 125 days in 2009, down from 41 assignments and 609 days 

assigned in 2008. The record was set in 2002 when Type 1 Teams were assigned 85 times for 

a total of 999 assignment days. There were no non-fire assignments for national teams in 2009.
33

Type 1 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area

Number of Type 1 Teams mobilized within a Geographic Area (including out of area 

teams).

CN – Canada

Number of Type 1 Teams mobilized by Geographic Area (including out of area 

assignments).
34

Type 2 Incident Management Team Mobilization

Of 62 total Type 2 Team assignments in 2009, four were filled through NICC (including two 

Wildland Fire Management Team assignments). Teams were assigned a total of 571 days, down 

from 125 assignments and 1,232 days assigned in 2008. The charts and tables below 

summarize total requests by agency and Geographic Area.
35

Type 2 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area

Number of Type 2 Teams mobilized within Geographic Areas (including out of area 

teams).

CN – Canada

Number of Type 2 Teams mobilized by Geographic Areas (including out of area 

assignments).
36

Types 1 and 2 IMT Summary 2009

Incident Management Team summary: The tables below depict total Type 1 and Type 2 Incident 

Management Teams requested through NICC.

By Requesting Agency

 

By Requesting Geographic Area
37

Department of Defense Mobilization

No battalions or task forces were mobilized by the Department of Defense in 2009. Number of 

Army battalions and task forces deployed annually is shown below.

 

Crew Mobilization

NICC processed 417 crew requests in 2009. Of these requests, 273 were filled, 75 requests 

were canceled, and 69 were UTF. There were 269 Type 1 crew requests, 22 Type 2 crew 

requests and 126 Type 2 IA crew requests.
38

 Tactical crews include Type 1, Type 2 and Type 2 IA.
39

Crew Summary by Requesting Agency and GACC
40

Engine Mobilization

The NICC processed 479 engine requests in 2009. Of total requests, 395 were filled, 80 were 

canceled and four were UTF. Of seven requests for water tenders placed to NICC, five were 

filled.
41

Engine Summary by Requesting Agency and Type
42

Engine Summary by Requesting Geographic Area and Type
43

Overhead Mobilization

A total of 9,483 requests for overhead positions were processed by NICC in 2009. Of these

requests, 8,674 were filled, 554 were canceled 255 were UTF.

Chart below shows annual total overhead requests filled through NICC.
44

Overhead Requests Summary by Requesting Agency and GACC
45

Helicopter Mobilization

A total of 378 Type 1, 2 and 3 helicopter requests were processed by NICC: 315 were filled, 40

were canceled and 23 were UTF. Of the 130 Type 1 helicopter requests placed to NICC: 107

were filled, 16 were canceled and 7 were UTF. Of the 213 requests placed to NICC for Type 2 

helicopters: 175 were filled, 26 canceled and 12 were UTF. Of the 45 requests placed to NICC

for Type 3 helicopters: 33 were filled, 8 canceled and 4 were UTF. 
46

Helicopter Summary by Requesting Agency and Type

Type 1 Helicopter Summary

Type 2 Helicopter Summary

S – Standard Use L – Limited Use
47

Helicopter Summary by Requesting Agency and Type

Type 3 Helicopter Summary
48

Helicopter Summary by Requesting Geographic Area and Type
49

Fixed Wing Aircraft Mobilization

The categories for fixed wing aircraft requests include: air tankers (types 1 to 3), single engine 

air tankers (SEAT), lead planes, aerial supervision modules (ASM), air attack, infrared, and 

smokejumper aircraft. A total of 952 aircraft requests were received at NICC: 717 were filled, 50

were canceled and 185 were UTF. 
50

Air Tanker Mobilization

A total of 172 heavy air tanker requests were processed by NICC in 2009. Of total requests, 142

were filled, 16 were canceled and 14 were UTF. 

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)
51

Aircraft Summary by Requesting Agency and Type (Through NICC)
52

Aircraft Summary by Requesting Geographic Area and Type
53

Large Transportation Aircraft

In 2009 there was one exclusive use contract for large transportation aircraft. The contract was

filled with a B737-200 jet aircraft. The NICC processed a total of 37 requests for transportation, 

and the exclusive use jet flew 33 times. There were four additional charter flights.
54

Exclusive Use and Charter Large Transport Summary by 

Requesting Agency and Geographic Area
55

Light Cargo and Passenger Flights by Requesting Agency and 

Geographic Area

Pax - passengers
56

Equipment Services Mobilization

A total of 69 requests for mobile food services were processed at NICC: 68 requests were 

filled and one was canceled. A total of 96 shower units were requested: 92 were filled, three were 

canceled and one was UTF. 
57

Equipment Services by Requesting Agency and Type

Equipment Services by Geographic Area and Type
58

Radio and Weather Equipment Mobilization

A total of 586 requests for radio kits and weather equipment were received at NICC in 2009. Of that total, 549 requests were filled, 

29 were canceled and eight were UTF. 

Radio and Weather Equipment Summary by Requesting Agency and Type

 
59

Radio and Weather Equipment Summary by Requesting Geographic Area and Type
60

Average Worst Summary

Averaging the data from very active fire years (1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2007) selected 

from the previous 14 years, average worst case fire year numbers were derived. Based on these

data, NICC can expect as a worst case average the following (categories in bold mean that the 

average worst cases were equaled or exceeded in 2009):
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NICC Benchmarks

Records set for the year of this report are in bold. Military and resource figures constitute what 

was processed through the National Interagency Coordination Center.

Category Record Year Record 2009 Stats

Wildfires 2006 96,385 78,792

Wildfire Acres Burned 2006 9,873,745 5,921,786

Significant Fires 2006 1,801 1,101

Days at Preparedness Level 4 2005 41 0

Days at Preparedness Level 5 2002 62 0

Type 1 IMT Mobilizations (fire & nonfire) 2002 85 10

Type 2 IMT Mobilizations (fire & nonfire) 2000 58 4

Dept. of Defense Battalions/Task 

Forces 1994 7 0

MAFFS (millions of gallons delivered) 1994 5.03 0

Tactical Crew Mobilizations 2003 1,796 273

Engine Mobilizations 2007 2,267 395

Overhead Mobilizations 2000 17,898 8,674

Type 1 Helicopter Mobilizations 2006 288 103

Type 2 Helicopter Mobilizations 2006 323 175

Heavy Airtankers (VLAT/LAT/MAFFS) 2000 387 143

Large Transport Flights 1994 552 37

Mobile Food Units 1994 195 68

Shower Units 1994 256 192

Of the 18 benchmarks above, records were set in the following years:

Six in 2006 Six in 2002 Five in 1994 Four in 2005 Four in 2000.
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Acronyms and Terminology

Air Attack: Light aircraft (airplane or helicopter) that carries the ATGS.

ASM: Aerial Supervision Module, light twin-engine airplane that combines the lead plane 

function and tactical supervision (pilot and Air Tactical Supervisor - ATS). 

CWN: Call When Needed, refers to aircraft that have a call when needed contract.

DRTI: Distributed Real-Time Infrared aircraft (operated by DOD).

EXCL: Exclusive-Use Contract. Refers to aircraft that have an exclusive-use contact with 

an agency.

IA: Initial attack.

IMT: Incident Management Team.

Infrared: Aircraft outfitted with infrared sensing equipment.

Large fire: A large fire is defined as 100 acres or greater in timber, 300 acres or greater in 

grass/brush, or a Type 1, Type 2 or NIMO team is assigned.

LAT: Large Airtanker.

Lead Plane: Twin-engine airplane that guides airtankers over a fire.

MAFFS: Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (military C-130 aircraft). 

NIMO: National Incident Management Organization.

Pax: Passengers.

RAWS: Remote Automated Weather Station.

ROSS: Resource Ordering and Status System.

Starter: Type of portable radio kit. 

Repeater: Type of portable radio kit.

Tactical: Type of portable radio kit.

SEAT: Single engine airtanker.

TFR: Temporary Flight Restriction.

UTF: Unable to Fill resource request (the requested resource couldn’t be filled).

UAS: Unmanned aircraft systems.

VLAT: Very Large Airtanker.
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned 

by State

Figures from the Fire and Aviation Management Web Applications Program.
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)
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National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (cont.)

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