Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee 

The NWCG Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee (UASSC) provides national leadership to develop and disseminate guidance on the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in wildland fire management operations. Primary objectives include:

  • Enable safe, effective and efficient UAS operations in the wildland fire management environment by developing and disseminating comprehensive wildland fire related UAS guidance. Include standards for UAS utilization, performance, risk management, qualifications, training, and equipment.

  • Provide coordinated and unified UAS subject matter expertise to NIAC and the NWCG member agencies.

  • Serve as a focal point for interagency wildland fire UAS operational initiatives, proposals, and issues.

  • Identify and evaluate UAS related problems; develop and propose solutions.

  • Solicit input from operations and management personnel on UAS related issues.

PMS 515 - NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems

PMS 520 - NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination

PMS 530 - NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management

PMS 530-1 - NWCG Aviation Risk Management workbook

Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)

IBC Memo 23-09, UAS Incident Replacement Guidance

NWCG Website