Skip to main content

NIFC FTP and QR Codes

NIFC FTP and FireNet Sharing

As of spring 2022, the NIFC FTP site is available at its new URL: ftp.wildfire.gov

FireNet SharePoint is an alternative for posting map products. Be sure to use the “anyone with the link” sharing option and provide the correct link (the public link will be different than the file URL).

The NIFC FTP Server is an official site for interagency wildland fire incident data and documents. As a GISS, you may be expected to post PDF files of incident maps to the NIFC FTP Server.

The NIFC FTP service is intended for short-term interagency sharing, not as a file archive or records repository. There should not be anything here that is not stored in a safer location, or that must carry over from season to season. All information that is posted to ftp.nifc.gov must be public and official, and there are some specific limitations of what can be stored there.

Access to the site varies according to the user role. As a GISS, the areas of the site that you will use are readable by anyone on the internet, with no username, or password required, but you will need a username and password to upload data to the site. The username and password service used by the NIFC FTP Server is called NAP – the NESS Application Portal.

Follow the instruction provided under the Getting Started section on the ftp.wildfire.gov homepage to obtain access.  There are three steps required to access the FTP site. Steps 1 & 2 must happen concurrently. Failure to complete step 2 will prevent the FAM IT helpdesk from assigning roles or access.

Job Aids

Share SharePoint files or folders (microsoft.com)

QR Codes

The Avenza Maps app has become an important tool for incident personnel because it lets them view GPS-enabled incident maps on their Android and iOS mobile devices even when WiFi or cellular data service is not available. Mobile maps are especially useful when visibility is poor, or when personnel are unfamiliar with local features and travel routes or are inexperienced navigating by reference to paper maps.

A QR Code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) that when scanned, will quickly access the URL of the map location.  QR codes are an easy way to deploy mobile maps to the Avenza Maps app.

A multitude of free QR Code generators are available online.

 

Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505