N.C. Forest Service - Fire Danger Cards for Firefighter Safety

National Fire Danger Rating System – Version 4 (NFDRS-V4) and Fire Environment Mapping System (FEMS)

On Oct. 1, 2025, NFDRS-V4 transitioned to the FEMS as the authoritative national processor and database. FEMS remains in active development following its initial production rollout, with additional functionality, expanded weather station coverage and new data expected in the coming months. Ongoing national updates will also necessitate corresponding updates at the state level.

Materials developed before FEMS implementation, such as existing Fire Danger Rating Area (FDRA)-specific “pocket cards,” are now obsolete as they were based on an older period of record and different fuel model combinations.

The new FEMS NFDRS processor produces hourly, rather than once daily, fire danger outputs, resulting in significant differences from outputs generated by the previous system (WIMS). Interim breakpoints and related analyses have been completed using the updated period of record (CY 2010–2024) and Fuel Model Z for all nine North Carolina FDRAs.

These updated analyses have been incorporated into outputs within the Fire Weather Intelligence Portal, including the Hazard Assessment Tool, General Fire Danger Map and Station Observation/Forecast Percentiles Display for North Carolina.

Updated pocket card materials based on these interim analyses are currently in development.

This page will be updated as needed to reflect future national changes to FEMS.