Abstract: Forest fire fighting is a complex systematic engineering. It is extremely important to develop a scientific,standard and efficient command system. Based on the brief introduction of the forest fire incident command system of the United States,this paper presents an analysis on its safe and efficient running mechanism in terms of structural theory and system characteristics. It is considered that learning from advanced idea and experience of the incident command system of the United States can improve speedily the forest fire fighting command system of China and raise scientific command level.

Key words: the United States, forest fire, incident command system, inspiration