Fake fire shelters raise safety concerns for wildfire crews

(NewsNation) — A national wildfire agency is warning crews to check their gear for counterfeit fire shelters.

The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, which is responsible for national-level strategic coordination, priority setting and resource allocation for wildland fires, issued the notice on July 10. The warning comes after multiple “nonspecification” fire shelters were found in several incidents this year. Fortunately, none have been involved in entrapments or deployments.

Fire shelters are mandatory equipment for crews battling wildfires in rugged terrain. According to federal data, they have been used in about four dozen wildfires over the last two decades and have saved hundreds of lives since their implementation.

How fire shelters work

Fire shelters are designed to protect users when they are unable to escape a fire. It blocks out the intense heat and traps breathable air inside until the fire passes or the person is rescued. The one-time-use shelters weigh around 6 pounds and come folded up in a firefighter’s pack. They’re made using aluminum foil, silica fabric and fiberglass.

While beneficial in extreme cases, the shelters aren’t a guaranteed lifesaver. The U.S. Forest Service reports that its ability to protect the user depends on how long they’re exposed to heat and other factors. Moisture, sand, debris and rough use can also damage them.

Differences with counterfeit fire shelters

The counterfeit shelters come in packaging similar to the specification packs and even include labels claiming compliance with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. However, the NMAC says there are telltale signs that they are not. The nonspecification shelters are missing stencils on the packaging, missing insert labels and have a “sloppy” fold compared to NWCG-compliant fire shelters.

This isn’t the first time nonspecification fire shelters have been discovered on crews, according to the NMAC. In 2023, shelters claiming to meet Forest Service specifications were discovered. This latest round was first identified in February of this year.

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