Blocks 1 to 5: crew and fire
Crew name, crew number, office responsible for the fire, fire name and fire number.
SF261
Crew Time Report
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Rev. 11/2021
- Fillable fields
- 166
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 261 (SF 261): Crew Time Report
Standard Form 261 (SF 261), Crew Time Report, is a one-page record of the time a crew works on a fire. Its footer prints STANDARD FORM 261 (REV. 11/2021), Prescribed by USDA-USDI (NWCG PMS 902), and NFES 000891. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library, and GSA's page lists the same authority, USDA-USDI (NWCG PMS 902).
The front names the crew, the office responsible for the fire and the fire itself, then lists each employee with a classification and the dates and military times on and off the job. A remarks block, the officer-in-charge signature and the name of the person posting the information to the EMERGENCY TIME REPORT close the page. The back of the form holds block by block instructions.
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What's on SF 261
Blocks 6 to 8: remarks number, employee and classification
One row per employee, with a remarks number that keys the row to a statement in block 11, the employee's name and the pay plan and grade.
Blocks 9 and 10: dates and times
Two date columns, each with a month, day and year and the military time ON the job and OFF the job.
Block 11: remarks
Statements keyed to the remarks numbers, such as travel hours, hazard duty, environmental differential, transfers, promotions and demotions, separations and standby time.
Blocks 12 to 15: signature and posting
Officer-in-charge signature and title, then the name of the person posting to the EMERGENCY TIME REPORT and the date of posting.
The form has 15 numbered blocks on one page, with instructions on the back.
How to complete SF 261
- 1
Identify the crew and the fire
Enter the crew name and number, the name of the office which has responsibility for the fire, and the fire name and number in blocks 1 to 5.
- 2
List each employee
Write each employee's name in block 7 and the pay plan and grade in block 8.
- 3
Record dates and military time
In blocks 9 and 10, enter the month, day and year and the military time ON the job and OFF the job.
- 4
Key remarks by number
The instructions say remarks are identified by a number in column 6 next to the employee's name, with the matching statement in block 11.
- 5
Sign and post
The officer-in-charge signs block 12 and enters a fire-job title in block 13. The person posting to the EMERGENCY TIME REPORT fills in blocks 14 and 15.
These steps follow the instructions printed on the back of the form.
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What the remarks cover and where it goes
Where it goes
The PDF gives no filing address. Block 14 names the person responsible for posting its information to the EMERGENCY TIME REPORT, and block 15 records the date it was posted.
Hazard duty and environmental differential
The instructions say to show an "H" for regular employees (those other than casual) with the beginning and ending time crew members were exposed to work on the fireline, and an "E" with exact hours exposed for Wage Grade employees entitled to Environmental Differential.
Travel, transfers and separations
Remarks include, when applicable, clock hours of travel, transfers to or from another crew with the time, promotions and demotions with date and effective time, and separations with time and reason.
Other remarks
The form says any item of importance concerning make up or activity of the crew should be reflected, for example standby time.
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Who fills out SF 261?
The form names these roles in its blocks and instructions.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form SF261
Who issues SF 261?
The footer says Prescribed by USDA-USDI (NWCG PMS 902), with NFES 000891. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
Who signs SF 261?
The officer-in-charge signs block 12 and enters a fire-job title in block 13. Block 14 holds the name of the person who posts the information to the EMERGENCY TIME REPORT.
How are times written on SF 261?
The instructions say to enter the month, day and year, and the military time ON the job and OFF the job, in blocks 9 and 10.
What goes in the remarks block?
Statements keyed to the number in column 6. The form lists clock hours of travel, hazard duty, environmental differential, transfers, promotions and demotions, separations and other items such as standby time.
What does Classification mean on SF 261?
The instructions define block 8, Classification, as pay plan and grade.