NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

That part of the fire on which work is started when suppression crews arrive.

The exact physical location within the Ignition Area where a heat source and the local fuel interact, resulting in a fire.

Description of the methods used to determine the certainty and precision of the fire location at the point of origin.

A code used to describe the direction toward which the predominant slope faces at the point of origin of the fire (including ridgetops and/or flat ground). Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

The County Code identifying the county or equivalent entity at point of origin designated at the time of collection. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

The datum associated with the coordinates that identify the point of origin. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

An expression of fire intensity based on observed and/or calculated flame lengths representative across the immediate vicinity of the point of origin during the initial response. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred. Fire intensity levels (FILs) provide "an expression of fireline intensity, based on typical and/ or calculated flame length of a fire behavior condition. FILs are used in the analysis to reflect the differences in difficulty of suppression and fire effects on natural and cultural resources." (Ref. FSH5109.19 ch40.5 9/85)

More specific classification of land ownership within land owner kinds identifying the owner at the point of origin at the time of the incident. Owner in the context of this data element refers to the agency or entity having the land management responsibility at the point of origin if they are not the legal owners. E.g., NPS may be the designated "owner" even though the US Federal Government holds title to the land.

Broad classification of land ownership at the point of origin.

The latitude location of the point of origin specified in decimal degrees. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

The latitude location of the wildland fire location point specified in decimal degrees.

The longitude location of the point of origin specified in decimal degrees. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

The longitude location of the wildland fire location point specified in decimal degrees.

Point of Origin of an incident for which NO fire agency has been assigned as the protecting unit.

The unit identifier for the agency that has primary protection responsibility at the point of origin at the time of the incident. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

NWCG Unit Identifier of agency with primary fire protection responsibility at the point of origin of a fire.

The ratio between the amount of vertical rise and horizontal distance of the terrain as expressed in a percent that represents the typical slope in the immediate vicinity of the point of origin of a fire. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

The State alpha code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin.

The State Code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin. Point of origin is the precise location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.

A permanent source of air pollution that can be distinctly identified such as a smokestack.

Predictions that apply to an initiating fire burning during a time when conditions have been relatively constant, or where it can be assumed that the fire will maintain a basically elliptical shape.

A wildfire response strategy which protects specific assets or highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread of the wildfire.

Unit of fluid viscosity in fire retardant, defined as tangential force per unit area (dynes/square centimeter) required to maintain unit difference in velocity (1 centimeter/second) between two parallel planes separated by 1 cm of fluid (1 poise=1 dyne-second/cubic centimeter). 

The date and time that the polygon was collected in the field

Small gasoline-driven pump that can be carried to a water source by one or two firefighters or other conveyance over difficult terrain.

Container, either with rigid frame or self supporting, which can be filled with water or fire chemical mixture from which fire suppression resources can be filled. It can also be a source for charging hose lays from portable pumps or stationary engines.

A code (mnemonic) for designating a position used in incident management response

The requirement to perform satisfactorily in a specified position within the last five years (three years for aviation and expanded dispatch positions) in order to maintain qualification for the position.

An assignment in which an individual is being evaluated for tasks found in the position task book.

A component of NWCG standards. They enable consistent and uniform performance by personnel mobilized by position under NIMS-ICS principles. Position qualification requirements include training, experience, physical fitness, position currency and incident position descriptions (duties and responsibilities).

The minimum criteria necessary for individuals to fill a specific position.

Derived from the incident position descriptions and are a component of NWCG standards. Position specific standards specify the tasks and behaviors that make up the incident position’s duties and responsibilities.

The committee or subgroup that is assigned to manage an incident position

A document listing the performance requirements (competencies and behaviors) for a position in a format that allows for the evaluation of individual (trainee) performance to determine if an individual is qualified in the position. Successful performance of PTB tasks, as observed and recorded by a qualified evaluator, will result in a recommendation to the trainee's home unit that the individual be certified in the position. 

A title for a position used for incident management response.

A pump which moves a specified quantity of water through the pump chamber with each stroke or cycle; it is capable of pumping air, and therefore is self-priming, but must have pressure relief provisions if plumbing or hoses have shut-off nozzles or valves . Gear pumps and piston pumps are common examples of this type. 

A level of certainty that is feasible but does not rise to the level of probable.

Quick method of rolling hose for pick up; hose is rolled as a ball of string.

Measurement of pressure (e.g., pump pressure, nozzle pressure, friction loss in hose, pressure loss or gain due to elevation).

In the 1978 version of NFDRS, the herbaceous stage approximately 30 days prior to green-up.

A planned, systematic procedure for collecting, recording, and evaluating prefire and fire management intelligence data for a given planning unit or preattack block. The planning phase is usually followed by a construction and development program integrated with other resources and activities. 

Unit of wildland delineated by logical and strategic topographic features for preattack planning.

Within designated blocks of land, planning the locations of firelines, fire camps, water sources, and helispots; planning transportation systems, probable rates of travel, and constraints of travel on various types of attack units; and determining what types of attack units likely would be needed to construct particular firelines, their probable rate of fireline construction, and topographic constraints on fireline construction. 

A landing necessitated by apparent impending failure of engines, systems, or components which makes continued flight unadvisable.

the amount of water falling upon the earth as rain or in frozen form such as snow, sleet, or hail

The total amount of precipitation that occurred within the preceding 24-hour period.