Wildland fires are a force of nature, one that can be nearly impossible to prevent and as difficult to control as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. And over the last few decades, there have been longer fire seasons, bigger fires, and more extreme fire behavior, which have prompted increased wildfire suppression operations all over the world.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to ensure firefighters are prepared not only with proper equipment and training but also with best-in-class protective wear to fight wildfires.

In addition to fire-resistant pants and shirts, a helmet, gloves, leather boots, and a fire shelter – eye protection is a must. And not just any eye protection – but NFPA-approved wildland safety goggles.

Here’s everything you need to know about NFPA wildland safety goggles.

What are the hazards associated with wildland fires?

Since fighting fires is a risky business, we have identified four main wildland hazards to be aware of that affect the performance of your safety eyewear:

1. Radiant heat

Fire radiates an enormous amount of heat, which means the space inside of the goggle must help decrease the amount of radiant heat that reaches the eye.

To simulate “normal” circumstances that the firefighters work in, goggles are tested to withstand 350°F for a minimum of five minutes without dripping, melting, or igniting.

2. Airborne debris

Due to the nature of the job, there is a large amount of debris around wildland workers. From dust particles to whirlwinds, this debris is often hot, ignited, and flying through the air at volatile speeds, which cause mechanical and thermal eye injuries in a split second.

Not to mention additional factors that cause airborne debris, like working around helicopters, chainsaws, or hoses.

3. Severe fogging

Vision plays one of the biggest roles in fighting wildland fires, as fireline conditions and the surrounding environment need to be continually monitored for danger. This causes a significant amount of manual labor, and when combined with wildfire heat, goggle fogging issues contribute to a huge potential for injury.

4. Thick smoke

Smoke from the fire can cause irritation to the eyes and heavy tearing, causing obscured vision, which contributes to the potential for additional injury.

Together, these hazards require eyewear designed specifically for wildland firefighting. Standard safety glasses may provide impact protection, but they do not offer the same enclosed coverage against heat, smoke, ash, dust, and wind-driven debris.

Wildland firefighting goggles are designed and tested to remain secure, maintain visibility, and withstand the demanding conditions firefighters may encounter on the fireline.

For goggle recommendations, keep reading.

What is NFPA 1950:2025, and did it replace NFPA 1977?

NFPA 1950:2025 is the current standard covering personal protective equipment used during technical rescue incidents, emergency medical operations, and wildland and urban-interface firefighting.

For wildland firefighters, it establishes minimum design, performance, testing, labeling, and certification requirements for PPE such as garments, helmets, gloves, footwear, face and neck shrouds, and goggles.

So, did NFPA 1950 replace NFPA 1977? Yes – NFPA 1977 was consolidated into NFPA 1950 and is no longer maintained as a separate standard. The first edition of NFPA 1950 combines three previously separate standards:

• NFPA 1951 for technical rescue PPE
• NFPA 1977 for wildland firefighting PPE
• NFPA 1999 for emergency medical operations PPE

This consolidation brings requirements for several emergency-response operations into one standard while maintaining dedicated requirements for each type of PPE and application.

For wildland firefighting goggles, that means the requirements previously found in NFPA 1977 are now included within NFPA 1950:2025. Those requirements include several demanding performance tests designed to help ensure goggles can withstand the hazards firefighters may encounter in the field.

What tests do wildland safety goggles undergo in NFPA 1950:2025?

To be certified to NFPA 1950:2025, wildland firefighting goggles must meet specific design and performance requirements intended to address impact, heat, and material durability. Three key certification requirements include:

1. Impact protection

Wildland goggles must meet applicable ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 requirements for occupational eye and face protection. Eyewear marked Z87+ has met the standard’s high-impact requirements, helping protect against flying debris and other impact hazards encountered during wildland firefighting operations.

For a full explanation of this testing and lens markings, read this blog.

2. Heat and thermal shrinkage resistance test

Wildland goggles are exposed to a temperature of 177°C (350°F) for five minutes to evaluate how the goggle and its components perform under high heat.

Following exposure, the goggle must remain intact and functional. It cannot show evidence of dripping, melting, or ignition; the lens must remain secured within the frame; and the retention strap must continue to hold the goggles securely in place. The wearer must also retain sufficient visibility through the lens after testing.

NFPA 1950 continues to include dedicated heat-resistance testing for protective goggles and goggle straps within its wildland firefighting requirements.

3. Thread-breaking strength test

The sewing thread used in the construction of the goggles is also tested for its resistance to high temperatures. This helps verify that the thread securing the goggle components will not melt and compromise the goggle’s construction during heat exposure.

NFPA updated the thread-melting test used for the wildland portion of NFPA 1950 to reference ASTM D7138, which measures the melting temperature of synthetic fibers.

What do D3, D4, and D5 mean on wildland goggles?

In addition to NFPA 1950 certification, wildland firefighting goggles may carry markings such as D3, D4, and D5. These markings come from ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 and indicate the specific eye hazards the goggles have been tested to protect against.

OSHA’s eye and face protection selection guide uses these markings to help employers match protective eyewear to the impact, liquid, dust, and fine-particle hazards present in the work environment.

D3: Liquid splash and droplet protection

The D3 marking indicates protection against liquid splashes and droplets. OSHA generally recommends tightly fitting goggles with indirect ventilation when splash hazards are present.

D4: Dust protection

The D4 marking indicates that the goggles have been tested for protection against dust. OSHA lists directly or indirectly vented goggles among the options for environments with nuisance dust, provided the goggles fit properly against the wearer’s face.

D5: Fine-dust protection

The D5 marking indicates protection against fine dust. Because fine particles can be more difficult to keep out of the eye area, OSHA recommends goggles with indirect ventilation or no ventilation for this type of exposure.

For wildland firefighters, this rating can be especially relevant in environments where fine ash, dirt, and other small airborne particles may be present. However, a D5 rating does not mean the goggles provide respiratory protection or eliminate exposure to smoke and gases.

It is also important to remember that these ANSI/ISEA markings do not indicate heat or flame resistance. Wildland-specific performance requirements, including resistance to high heat, are addressed through NFPA 1950 certification.

What sets HexArmor’s FireArmor® wildland safety goggles apart?

Many goggles used for wildland purposes are expensive, provide subpar protection, and are uncomfortable – or all three.

When an emergency strikes, you need to make sure your wildland goggles can keep up. Our FireArmor® Wildland MX600 safety goggles are designed around these hazardous fireground conditions. 

FireArmor® Wildland MX600 safety goggles

The MX600 is certified to NFPA 1950:2025 and is heat-resistant and flame-retardant. It also meets ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 high-impact requirements and carries D3, D4, and D5 ratings for protection against liquid splash, dust, and fine dust.

Its closed, non-vented design and soft seal help limit smoke, ash, fine dust, and other airborne debris from entering around the eyes. Because closed goggles can be especially susceptible to fogging, the MX600 features permanent TruShield®S lens coating, with permanent, dual-action anti-fog protection on the inside of the lens and a scratch-resistant hard coat on the outside.

Additional MX600 features include:

• Panoramic lens for a wide field of vision
• LTX® Lens Technology for optical clarity
• Fully adjustable cloth head strap
• Soft components that adapt to the wearer’s face
• Fit over most prescription glasses
• Compatibility with other PPE, including respirators
• Metal-free construction
• 100% UV protection

HexArmor® can help

Wildland firefighters work in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable, and their eye protection needs to keep pace. HexArmor's wildland goggles deliver the durability, visibility, comfort, and protection firefighters need through long shifts, changing conditions, and high-intensity work.

Ready to start a trial?? Our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.

Learn more about the FireArmor® Wildland MX600 safety goggle

[Blog originally posted October 31, 2023]