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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Quick View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

Note: If the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster

Title Steward Status Definition
envelopment IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Direct attack with multiple anchor points, that allows for multiple points of attack. Generally used as an engine tactic in the wildland urban interface.

environment FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

The complex surroundings of an item or area of interest, such as air, water, natural resources, and their physical conditions (temperature, humidity).

environmental lapse rate FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

The actual rate of decrease of temperature with elevation.

environmental specialist IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived

Person responsible to the planning section chief for collecting and analyzing environmental information about the incident area, determining environmental restrictions and requirements, and providing the information as an input to the incident action and to incident personnel as needed. 

episode (pollution) FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A condition of poor contaminant dispersion which may result in concentrations considered potentially harmful to health or welfare. Episodes may also occur during periods of fairly good dispersion if the source of air contaminants is extremely large.

Equilibrium Moisture Content FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

Moisture content that a fuel particle will attain if exposed for an infinite period in an environment of specified constant temperature and humidity. When a fuel particle reaches equilibrium moisture content, net exchange of moisture between it and its environment is zero. 

equipment use fire WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Fire caused by mechanical equipment other than railroad operations.

escape route RMC Risk Management Committee Approved

A preplanned and understood route firefighters take to move to a safety zone or other low-risk area. When escape routes deviate from a defined physical path, they should be clearly marked (flagged).

escaped fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Fire which has exceeded or is expected to exceed initial attack capabilities or prescription.

escaped prescribed fire FMC Fuels Management Committee, FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Proposed New
ESF Coordinator NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

An entity which oversees the preparedness activities for a particular ESF and coordinates with its primary and support agencies.

ESF Primary Agency NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A Federal agency with significant authorities, roles, resources, and capabilities for a particular function within an ESF.

ESF Support Agency NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

An entity with specific capabilities or resources that support the primary agencies in executing the mission of the ESF.

Estimated Asset Cost

Approximate planned funding for the Group 30 Budget Object Class that covers Aquisition of Assets (more specifically - Equipment, Land and Structures, Investments and Loans).

estimated containment FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

The expected containment or completion date of the incident.

Estimated Contractual Cost
Estimated Durability

Estimated duration in years (1-300) that treatment will accomplish its purpose.
 
This information is intended to support the understanding of maintenance needs as well as anticipated effectiveness when intersected by a wildfire (e.g. if expected to be effective for 8 years, and an intersection occurs at 10 and the treatment fails - it would have performed as expected without maintenance)

Estimated Grants Fixed Cost

Approximate planned funding for the Group 40 Budget Object Class that covers Grants and Fixed Charges (more specifically - Grants, Subsidies, and Contributions, Insurance Claims and Indemnities, Interest and Dividends, and Refunds).

Estimated Other Cost

Approximate planned funding for the Group 90 Budget Object Class that covers Other Charges (more specifically - Unvouchered, Undistributed, Financial Transfers, Adjustments for Rounding)

Estimated Personnel Cost

Approximate planned funding for the Group 10 Budget Object Class that covers Personnel Compensation and Benefits ( more specifically includes Personnel Compensation, Personnel Benefits, and Benefits for Former Personnel).

Estimated Position Error WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

A measurement of horizontal position error for a GPS unit expressed in feet or meters.

Estimated Success Probability

25% Treatment objectives are difficult to achieve and/or multiple treatments are likely to be necessary to achieve success.
 
50% Treatment objectives are moderately difficult to achieve and/or additional treatments are likely to be necessary to achieve success.
 
75% Treatment objectives are moderately easy to achieve and/or just one additional treatment is likely to be necessary to achieve success.
 
100% Treatment objectives are easy to achieve and/or this is likely the final treatment necessary to achieve success.

Estimated Time En Route NCSC National Coordination System Committee, IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Term used in resource planning/following to estimate time spent between points.

Estimated Time of Arrival NCSC National Coordination System Committee, IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Term used in resource planning/following to estimate time of arrival at a point.

Estimated Time of Departure NCSC National Coordination System Committee, IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Term used in resource planning/following to estimate time of departure from a point.

Estimated Total Cost

Sum of all estimated cost fields.

evacuation NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The organized, phased, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal of people and/or animals from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, and their reception and care in safe areas.

evaluate FMB Fire Management Board Approved

To review and compare outcomes with management and incident objectives desired for a wildland fire. One of the six component activities in an adaptive management process that may lead to adjusting future actions.

evaluation In Development
evaluator IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

The individual who is qualified in the position being evaluated, or supervises the position being evaluated, having responsibility for observing task(s) being performed and documenting successful performance for agency certification or re-certification. Evaluator responsibilities must remain separate from the individual assigned as Trainer/Coach. 

evaporation FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

The transformation of a liquid to its gaseous state; heat is released by the liquid during this process.

event (generic) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

A generic term that relates to both planned and unplanned response activities by the interagency wildland fire community.

event (planned) NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

An incident that is a scheduled non-emergency activity (e.g., sporting event, concert, parade).

evidence protection area WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

An area where evidence or potential evidence is or may be located and should be secured and protected from unauthorized entry.

exempt / nonexempt IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Categories of employees as defined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), who are either covered or exempted from coverage under the ActPay entitlements vary depending on the employee's FLSA status.

exhaust primer ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Device which uses the exhaust gas flow of an engine for priming a centrifugal pump.

expanded dispatch IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

An organization needed to support an incident which expands along with the Incident Command System.

expansion ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

The ratio of the volume of the foam in its aerated state to the original volume of the non-aerated foam solution.

experience IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Proposed New

Documented performance in a position.

expert witness WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

Someone with sufficient skill, knowledge, or experience in a given field so as to be capable of drawing inferences or reaching conclusions or opinions that an average person would not be competent to reach. The expert's opinion testimony should aim the judge or jury in their understanding of the fact at issue. 

explosives or electrical danger (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

An event dealing with the various situations that arise as a result of an explosion, presence of an explosive device, or electrical hazard - no fire. 

exposed side WFISC Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee Approved

The side of an object facing the oncoming fire.

exposure (direction) FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

Direction in which a slope faces, usually with respect to cardinal directions.

exposure (openness) FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

The general surroundings of a site with special reference to its openness to winds.

exposure (threatened) FENC Fire Environment Committee Approved

Property that may be endangered by a fire burning in another structure or by a wildfire.

exposure fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Classification for a fire not originating in a building, but which ignites building(s). A fire originating in one building and spreading to another is classified under the original cause of fire.

extend ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

To drop retardant in such a way that the load slightly overlaps and links a previous drop. "Extend your last drop."

extended attack IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Actions taken on a wildfire that has exceeded the initial response.

extended attack incident IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

An incident that exceeds the capability of the initial attack resources and/or organization to successfully manage the incident to conclusion.

exterior fire protection IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The protection of structures from the exterior, with no interior access or activity.

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Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Glossary Term for Review: Equipment Identifier

Date: June 22, 2023
Contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

Hello Wildland Fire Data Community! The Data Standards and Terminology Board has received a request for a new term/data standard. A few things about our process are maturing – this includes ensuring definitions capture only the essence of the term – and nothing more. Historically our definitions have been overloaded with rules, descriptions, and examples, all in an effort to ensure the term is understood. There is a place for that information, just not in the definition. You will see that we are now including those fields, when applicable, as part of the proposed term. If you have additional content that you think will help explain a term, please add it to your feedback.

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback. The comment period will close July 21, 2023.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

Background: Apparatus Number is a field currently exchanged in IRWIN and was originally grandfathered in. The time has come to update the term and standard, but we need your help!

Proposed Data Value Rules:  String, max 75 characters
Proposed Data Element: Equipment Identifier
Proposed Data Element Description: The unique alphanumeric values assigned to an apparatus.
Supersedes: Apparatus Number - the external alphanumeric value painted on the side of the equipment.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Resource Ordering Systems Resource Item Data Entry Standards

Glossary Term for Review

Date: June 9, 2023
Contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a glossary term. In this case, the proposal is for the addition of Business Rules. Historically we overloaded our definitions with definitions, descriptions, rules etc. We are now trying to separate the parts to make them distinct parts of a glossary term.

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate. The comment period will close July 7, 2023.

Existing Term: Incident Complex
Incident Complex Proposed Business Rules
 –

  1. Child records must meet large fire criteria specific to incident size to be included in an incident relationship within an incident complex. Child records must be at least 100 acres in timber or 300 acres in grass brush to be added to an Incident Complex.
  2. Wildfire (WF) records that are Human Caused shall not be added to an Incident Complex.
  3. Child records may only be in one Incident Complex at a time

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Guidance for Incident Finance Electronic File Management, Memo 23-08

Date: May 31, 2023
Contact: Incident Business Committee (IBC)

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) realized the file structure for COST and COMP unit folders needed additional refinement to the current standards. The same task group as previous was convened to address these types of files. The buying team group revised electronic document standards for buying team files now being housed on FireNet. The documents, have been approved by the IBC and are provided as national standards for incident finance electronic files and folders.

References:

Memo 23-08

Finance Working Files and Folder Matrix for FireNet

Finance Electronic Files Management Guidance

Structure for Finance Working Files Provided in FireNet

Buying Team Electronic Document Standard Operating Procedures

Structure for Final Finance eDoc Box Provided in FireNet

NWCG Celebrates National Emergency Medical Services Week

Date: May 24, 2023
Contact: Emergency Medical Committee (EMC)

This week, NWCG celebrates National Emergency Medical Services Week.  
The Emergency Medical Committee is proud to be affiliated with all the agencies and organizations who collaborate to provide and support EMS across our national wildfire response systems.  

Thank you to all the EMS individuals for the important work and mission you do every day!

Learn about the NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

References: