BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management - Northwest Region

10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.

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Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

12/04/2024

National Native American Heritage Month (NNAHM) was a memorable experience for the Northwest Region Honor Guard (NWR HG). The NWR HG was invited to participate in the United States Flag Ceremony , partnering with the Office of Justice Services to begin the celebration. This year's theme, "Weaving Together Our Past, Present, and Future" highlights the ongoing work to recognize our past, celebrate the present, and make life better for future generations.

NWR HG Coordinator Darron Williams stated, "It was an honor to be recognized, invited and play a key role in this national level event. The NWR HG main intent is line-of duty death recognition, however, we are humbled to be able to represent the wildland fire community in this platform. This was an awe-inspiring experience!"

National Native American Heritage Month

10/04/2024

Welcome to Smokey Bear LIVE 4!

This program in the FSNatureLIVE series explores real wildfire case studies by asking: what started them, how much damage did they cause, and how can YOU prevent them from happening again?

Join us this October with four episodes:

• Case 1: Campfires Can Spark Wildfires — 10/4/2024

• Case 2: Vehicles Can Spark Wildfires — 10/11/2024

• Case 3: Fireworks Can Spark Wildfires — 10/18/2024

• Case 4: will be a live stream where our expert panel will answer viewer questions live — 1:00 p.m. ET on 10/25/2024

All our videos and live streams will be available on the Natural Inquirer YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/

Phew! That’s a lot of information! Want an easy way to remember it all? Sign up to receive email alerts when a new episode is available: naturalinquirer.org/resource/smokey-bear-live-4

And remember: only YOU can prevent wildfires!

The FSNatureLIVE series is provided by a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Inquirer.

10/03/2024

Make a plan to stay well in the off-season with a buddy check! Designate a work buddy to check-in with on a regular basis.

Buddy checks shouldn’t be formal or complicated. They can be a simple message or even sending a funny meme. But it’s also a good idea to tell your buddy how they can help you when things aren’t going well before that may happen. When things aren’t going well for you, what do you need? Is it someone to talk to? Or, maybe it’s a healthy distraction such as exercise. It can also be going out to fish with a friend where there is no obligation to talk at all. Having a regular check in is the opportunity to connect with and even decompress to a trusted person who “gets it” and it can be a reminder for you to make sure you are taking care of yourself, too.

09/26/2024

Introduction to Fire Danger video

For more information on Introduction to Wildland Fire Danger, please visit https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/fire-danger-subcommittee.Broadly explore the basic...

08/17/2024

07/25/2024

06/20/2024

Wildland fire training and certification amongst the NW Region Agencies and Tribes is winding down as we ready ourselves for increased fire activity. A shout out to the Nez Perce Tribe at the conclusion of the Work Capacity Test in Lapwai, Idaho. All passed and received certification to participate in wildland fire activity for one calendar year. We wish safety for all those involved with wildland fire!

05/24/2024

The NWR Honor Guard participated in the annual Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF) Family Weekend in Boise, Idaho, May 18-19, 2024.

The WFF pays tribute to the families of wildland firefighters line of duty death or serious accidents each May. They bring together these families to recognize the service of their loved one and to assist by bringing these families together. It is a unique experience as you talk and get to understand the significance of their loved one. At the end of the weekend they release butterflies and place flowers on the memorial bricks at the National Interagency Fire Center.

Celilo Miles, Nez Perce Tribe, expressed interest in joining the NWR Honor Guard and was invited to partake in the events. She will be a valued addition to the NWR Honor Guard. If there are more folks who you think may be interested please have them contact me.

This is the first year the Bureau of Indian Affairs NWR Honor Guard member has participated in full Class A Uniform. The WFF Executive Director said that many people came up to him and thought the NWR Honor Guard looked like they walked off the set of "Yellowstone".

We appreciate the support and service of those who back the grass root effort of the NWR Honor Guard.

Thank you.

05/07/2024

The NW Region Honor Guard (NWR HG) recently attended the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they had the honor of meeting with Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, at the Department of Interior building in Washington, D.C.

It was a great opportunity to meet Secretary Newland, given his busy schedule, and the NWR HG wishes to thank him for his time. During their meeting, they were able to discuss the purpose of the NWR HG, which is to honor families, co-workers and anyone affected by fallen firefighters. The meeting was set up by BIA Supervisory Management Analyst, Nita Personius, who is pictured with the team and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes flag.

Members of the NWR HG, Joel Adams, Karl Mosho, Kevin Small and myself, were also able to attend the Candle Light Service and Memorial Services where 226 firefighters were honored at this year's event. They gained valuable knowledge about the activities at the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial Weekend and were mentored by the USFS and BLM Honor Guard during their time in Emmitsburg. The NWR HG plans to fully participate in 2025.

Additionally, the NWR HG visited Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the sacred changing of the guard. They were all deeply moved by the experience. In 2025, the NWR HG plans to request that Arlington National Cemetery perform a wreath ceremony in honor of fallen firefighters.

Photo description: NFF Memorial Service; Dover Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services honoring their fallen, Jeremy Charles Lundgren; Nita Personius, BIA Supervisory Management Analyst; NWR HG, Arlington National Cemetery; NWR HG, Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland.

Thank you.

04/29/2024

National Wildfire Coordinating Group Engine Operator N-9018 training was held at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Flathead Agency - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Fire Headquarters April 8-12, 2024. Twenty-five students were able to gain valuable knowledge about wildland fire engine maintenance, driving, documentation, trouble-shooting and engine administration, water hydraulics and the Fire Engine Maintenance Procedure and Record (FEMPR). The FEMPR is the foundation of engine administration and operation. Highlights included the field driving days conducted in the shadows of the awe-inspiring Mission Mountains.

We wish to thank the BIA Flathead Agency and CSKT for allowing us to work in their wonderful facility. We appreciate the efforts of the BIA/Tribal cadre for investing in the future young leaders of the BIA/Tribal Fire Programs. The ENOP training was a win-win for all!