In the United States, wildfires account for only a small percentage of the total annual fire incidents, but when they occur, they often become national headlines. One recent example is the Siskiyou County wildfire in Northern California in August 2024, which scorched over 28,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and led to mass evacuations across several rural communities. Firefighters responding to such large-scale wildfires face extreme hazards—prolonged exposure to radiant heat, limited water access, challenging terrain, and rapidly shifting fire behavior.
These operational conditions differ drastically from those encountered in structural firefighting. As a result, wildland firefighters cannot rely on traditional turnout gear, which is typically heavy and designed for short-duration, high-heat exposures in enclosed spaces. Instead, they require Wildland Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that meets the specific demands of outdoor wildfire suppression—lightweight for mobility, breathable for long shifts, and flame-resistant for radiant and convective heat protection.
This article explains the essential components of Wildland PPE, how it differs from structural gear, and what standards guide its design and certification—particularly NFPA 1977, the leading U.S. standard for wildland firefighting garments and equipment.
What Is Wildland Firefighting PPE?
Wildland Firefighting PPE refers to a category of firefighter PPE specifically designed for deployment in wildland fire environments such as forests, grasslands, and brush-covered terrain. Unlike structural firefighting gear built for direct flame exposure, wildland protective clothing is engineered to protect against wildland fire hazards like radiant heat, ember attacks, sharp vegetation, and extended exertion under hot and dry outdoor conditions.
This type of gear is manufactured meeting NFPA 1977 standards, which establish requirements for flame resistant performance, heat protection, and ergonomic mobility. In contrast to NFPA 1971, which governs heavier structural gear, NFPA 1977-compliant equipment prioritizes breathability, reduced weight, and flexibility—attributes essential for prolonged operations in varied topography.
Key characteristics of wildland firefighter PPE include:
Material Composition: Typically made from fire resistant fibers such as Nomex, Kevlar, or PBI, providing lightweight protection with rugged durability.
Garment Design: Wildland jackets and pants include articulated joints, gusseted construction, and minimal bulk to facilitate full mobility in steep or obstructed terrain.
Breathability: Lower insulation values ensure thermal comfort and ventilation over long deployments.
Accessories: Standard issue includes fire shelters, flame resistant gloves, protective goggles, and helmet shrouds, all evaluated under agencies such as CAL FIRE or the U.S. Forest Service.
This specialized firefighter PPE enables wildland crews to work effectively while maintaining protection, situational awareness, and physical performance in unpredictable wildfire conditions.
Components of Wildland Firefighting PPE
Wildland Firefighting PPE is a specialized subset of personal protective equipment designed to protect firefighters from radiant heat, ember attacks, and rough terrain — all without the thermal insulation and weight of structural gear. Below are its essential components, each governed by NFPA 1977 standards, which address design, performance, testing, and certification.
Flame-Resistant Shirt and Pants
Wildland firefighters wear flame-resistant (FR) shirts and pants made from lightweight, breathable fabrics like Nomex, Kevlar blends, or Tecasafe Plus. These garments are designed to withstand short-duration heat exposure up to 350°F, offering a balance between fire resistance and breathability crucial for mobility in steep or remote environments.
Clothing must comply with NFPA 1977 and clearly bear third-party certification labeling. Double-front pants and articulated knees are often preferred to withstand abrasive conditions.
Helmet with Shroud
A wildland firefighting helmet is engineered distinctly from structural firefighting helmets, prioritizing lightweight durability, thermal radiation resistance, and long-shift comfort. Constructed from heat-resistant thermoplastics, it meets ANSI Z89.1 safety standards and is typically equipped with a flame-resistant neck shroud to provide full head and neck coverage against radiant heat and ember attack.
What sets wildland helmets apart is their ventilation system—featuring crown vents or airflow channels that help dissipate heat and prevent overheating during extended operations in rugged terrain. Interior adjustable suspension systems and moisture-wicking sweatbands further enhance comfort and fit, especially during high-exertion tasks.
Additionally, modern helmets include goggle retention clips, brim designs for sun and debris deflection, and compatibility with communication headsets, ensuring situational awareness and operational efficiency in dynamic wildfire conditions.
Wildland Gloves
Wildland gloves must provide tactile dexterity while resisting flame, heat, and mechanical abrasion. Typically crafted from fire-resistant leather or Kevlar-blended fabrics, they are designed to function during line construction, hose handling, and ember clearing. Compliance with NFPA 1977 ensures a minimum thermal protective performance.
Fire-Resistant Boots
Footwear must meet U.S. Forest Service (USFS) specifications: 8-inch minimum height, vibram lug soles, and construction with fire-resistant full-grain leather. Steel shanks and puncture-resistant midsoles are essential for navigating sharp debris and uneven terrain. These boots prioritize ankle support, breathability, and flame resistance over sheer insulation.
Eye and Face Protection
Wildland operations expose personnel to wind-driven embers, ash, and UV glare. Firefighters use ANSI Z87.1-certified goggles or safety glasses, often with anti-fog and scratch-resistant coatings. When paired with helmets, goggles form a full seal, protecting against airborne irritants and projectile hazards.
Load-Carrying Gear & Hydration Systems
Wildland PPE includes modular packs designed for extended deployments. These systems carry essential gear: hydration reservoirs, fusees, comms equipment, line tools, and personal fire shelters. Load distribution systems are engineered for long-duration wear with ventilated back panels and high-visibility trims.
Fire Shelter
A fire shelter is the firefighter’s last line of defense when escape is impossible. It reflects radiant heat, provides breathable air for brief periods, and can mean the difference between survival and tragedy. The importance of fire shelters was brought to public attention by the 2017 film Only the Brave, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, who deployed their shelters during a sudden burnover in the Yarnell Hill Fire — tragically, 19 of the 20 crew members perished.
Modern shelters meet USFS Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) specifications and are mandatory in all federal wildland deployments. Every firefighter is trained to deploy and enter their shelter in less than 25 seconds under stress.
Differences Between Wildland Firefighting PPE and Structural Firefighting Turnout Gear
Wildland firefighting PPE and structural firefighting PPE are designed for distinctly different operational environments, each governed by its own set of performance requirements, standards, and hazards.
1. Functionality and Intended Use
Wildland firefighting PPE is tailored for extended outdoor deployment during vegetation fires, where mobility, heat stress mitigation, and lightweight protection are critical. It is not intended for interior fire suppression or high-flame environments.
In contrast, structural turnout gear is engineered for short-duration, high-heat interior fire conditions such as building fires. It emphasizes maximum thermal protection, flashover survival, and vapor resistance.
2. Design and Weight
Wildland PPE prioritizes breathability, range of motion, and low bulk. It typically consists of single-layer or dual-layer flame-resistant protective clothing made from materials like Nomex® or Tecasafe® Plus. Full ensembles generally weigh under 15 pounds, allowing for extended hikes in rugged terrain.
Structural gear, on the other hand, comprises multiple layers—a thermal liner, moisture barrier, and flame-resistant outer shell—providing superior insulation. As a result, a full turnout ensemble can exceed 45 pounds, significantly impacting endurance and mobility during prolonged outdoor operations.
3. Thermal Performance (TPP Rating)
Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) is a key metric for evaluating PPE insulation. Structural gear must meet NFPA 1971, which requires a minimum TPP rating of 35, allowing approximately 17.5 seconds of protection before second-degree burns occur.
Wildland PPE, certified under NFPA 1977, generally has TPP ratings between 7 and 12, which is sufficient for radiant heat exposure but not for flashover or direct flame immersion.
4. Compliance and Standards
Wildland PPE is tested and certified according to NFPA 1977: Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting. This standard focuses on flame resistance, limited heat protection, ergonomic fit, and lightweight design.
Structural turnout gear complies with NFPA 1971, which encompasses far more rigorous testing for thermal insulation, liquid penetration, seam integrity, and reflective trim. These standards are enforced due to the higher-intensity hazards in urban interior firefighting.
5. Breathability and Heat Stress Management
Wildland PPE incorporates ventilation panels, mesh linings, and moisture-wicking fabrics to combat heat stress during long shifts in high ambient temperatures. By contrast, structural gear is designed to seal out moisture and superheated gases, resulting in significantly reduced breathability and higher risk of heat stress in open-air wildland environments.
Wildland firefighting PPE is purpose-engineered to address the unique hazards of wildland fire, offering enhanced mobility, breathability, and thermal protection. While differing from structural gear in both function and compliance standards, its proper selection is critical to firefighter safety.
Poseidon provides high-performance Wildland PPE manufactured to meet NFPA 1977 design and performance criteria.If you’re seeking reliable, OEM-ready gear tailored to real-world conditions, connect with us today.