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6.10 Latitude & Longitude

Latitude and longitude are measuring lines used for locating places on the surface of the Earth. They are angular measurements, expressed as degrees of a circle. A full circle contains 360°. Each degree can be divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds. The symbol for minutes is (´) and for seconds is ("). 

Latitude lines (called parallels) circle the planet's surface in lines parallel to the equator, which lies halfway between the North and South poles. Latitude lines circle the planet from east and west, beginning at 0° at the equator and increasing to 90°North or 90°South.

Longitude lines (called meridians) run north and south and circle the planet from pole to pole. Each line is identified by the number of degrees east or west from a starting point at Greenwich, England, known as the prime meridian. The longitude at the prime meridian is 0°. Longitudes lines mark the distance westward, to 180°West, and eastward, to 180°East.

Earth with Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude measurements can be written in several ways. For example, 211 degrees, 22 minutes, and 30 seconds is written as 211° 22´30", or with spaces: 211 22 30; or with a decimal after the degrees 211.22´30", or with a decimal after the minutes 211 22.30. One degree of latitude equals about 69 miles. One minute is just over a mile, and one second is about 100 feet. 

When adding or subtracting degrees, convert to minutes and seconds as necessary and borrow the appropriate amount (see Section 1.3). For example, when borrowing 1 degree from 360°, change to 359°60´. To borrow 1 minute from 359° 60´, change to 359° 59´60".

Example 1 320°25´32" - 210°50´41" 

degrees min seconds

Step1. Subtract 1 from 2.
2 - 1 = 1

Step 2. Borrow 1 minute from the 5 for the seconds.
There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.
60 + 30 = 90

Step 3. Subtract 4 from 9.
9 - 4 = 5

Step 4. Subtract 0 from 4.
4 - 0 = 4

Step 5. Borrow 1 degree from 20° for the minutes. There are 60 minutes in 1 degree.
60 + 20 = 80

Step 6. Subtract 5 from 8.
8 - 5 = 3

Step 7. Subtract 210 from 319.
319 - 210 = 109

109°34´51"
 

Example 2 - Add 142° 54´ 43" + 85° 36´ 44".
 
degrees min seconds

Step 1. Add the seconds. 43 + 44 = 87
Sixty seconds equals 1 minute.

Step 2. 87 is greater than 60, so subtract 60 seconds from 87 seconds. There are 60 seconds in 1 minute, so add 1 minute to the minute column.
87 - 60 = 27 seconds

Step 3. Add the minutes.
54 + 36 + 1 (carried over from the seconds) = 91 minutes

Step 4. 91 is greater than 60, so subtract 60 minutes from 91 minutes. There 60 minutes in 1 degree, so add 1 to the degree column. 91 - 60 = 31 minutes

Step 5. Add the degrees.
142 + 85 + 1 (carried over from the minutes) = 228 degrees

228°31´27"

Example 3 - Name the range of latitude and longitude for the borders of Wyoming.

Step 1. Find Wyoming on a map.

Step 2. Locate the east and west borders of Wyoming. 

Longitude 111°W to 104°W. It is west of the Greenwich Longitude.

Step 3. Find the north and south borders of Wyoming.

Latitude 41°N to 45°N. The location is north of the equator.

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Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
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The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

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NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

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ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
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Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

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NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
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The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

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NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

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RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

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The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

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RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

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