10 Standard Fire Orders & 18 Watch Out Situations
Built for the fireline—not the classroom. Quick-reference guidance built for real-world fireline use.
What Are the 10 & 18?
The 10 Standard Fire Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations form the foundation of wildland firefighting safety. They are designed to reinforce situational awareness, communication, and decision-making on the fireline.
These guidelines are widely taught, but in real-world conditions, they’re often difficult to reference quickly when it matters most.
When conditions change fast, you don’t have time to flip through a booklet.
Who This Is For
• Wildland firefighters
• Volunteer departments handling brush/wildland calls
• Crews in training or refreshers
• Anyone carrying an IRPG who needs faster access to key information
10 Standard Fire Orders
1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts
2. Know what your fire is doing at all times
3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire
4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, make them known
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger
6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.
7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces
8. Give clear instructions and be sure they are understood
9. Maintain control of your forces at all times
10. Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first
18 Watch Out Situations
1. Fire not scouted and sized up
2. In country not seen in daylight
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior
5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards
6. Instructions and assignments not clear
7. No communication link with crewmembers or supervisor
8. Constructing line without safe anchor point
9. Building fireline downhill with fire below
10. Attempting frontal assault on fire
11. Unburned fuel between you and fire
12. Cannot see main fire; not in contact with someone who can.
13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below
14. Weather becoming hotter and drier
15. Wind increases and/or changes direction
16. Getting frequent spot fires across line
17. Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult
18. Taking a nap near fireline
The 10 Standard Fire Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations are fundamental to wildland firefighting safety, but they are not always easy to reference when it matters most. For a full breakdown and explanation of the 10 and 18, view our fireline reference guide.
This Fireline Reference Tag puts both the 10 and 18 into a clear, durable format designed for real-world use. Instead of flipping through a booklet or relying on memory alone, this tag provides a quick visual reference that reinforces situational awareness on the fireline.
Each tag is made from durable 3-ply laminate and engraved for long-term readability. The compact design makes it easy to attach to radio straps, packs, or gear, keeping critical information accessible without getting in the way.
Whether used during active operations, training, or review, this tag serves as a simple tool to help reinforce the principles that keep firefighters safe.
Tag Size: 3" x 5"
Material: Durable 3-ply laminate
Mounting: Hole for lanyard or gear attachment
Use: Wildland firefighting reference
Why a Quick Reference Matters
While the IRPG and training materials contain this information, they are not always practical to reference during active operations.
When conditions change rapidly, firefighters rely on recognition—not memory recall from a booklet.
A clear, durable reference helps reinforce these principles in real time.
10 & 18 Fireline Reference Tag
We designed a durable, field-ready tag that puts the 10 Standard Fire Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations in a format that is easy to read, easy to carry, and built for real-world use.
High-visibility material
Engraved for long-term durability
Compact, gear-ready size
Designed for radio straps, packs, and line gear
Whether you're on the line, in training, or reviewing fundamentals, having the 10 and 18 readily accessible helps reinforce the decisions that matter most.