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Create and Share Web Maps


Offline mobile data collection through the ArcGIS apps is quickly becoming the most common method for gathering incident data due to its convenience and provided common operating picture.

For the 2024 season, Field Maps is the recommended mobile app for use with official Incident Web Map Templates. Please encourage all field editors to download Field Maps on their mobile device.

Several predefined options exist to implement offline mobile data collection on wildfire incidents using ArcGIS apps. The appropriate workflow should be selected based on the needs of the team and scale of the incident. It is best to begin an incident from a web map template to provide the field user with a consistent offline mapping product.

All the web map templates can be found in the Incident Resources Group.


The incident web map templates have the following settings by default:

  • The Event Polygon layer editing is disabled
  • Features where FeatureStatus = ‘Archive’ are filtered to not display
  • Features where DeleteThis = ‘Yes’ are filtered to not display

Job Aids

The Basic Web Map Workflow

Quick and easy to implement, the Basic Workflow works best for smaller incidents or incidents with fewer field editors.

A single web map is shared for use in  Field Maps and all edits are reviewed and managed by the GISS.

Template Quick Links

Advanced Web Map Workflows

There are two workflows that go beyond the out-of-the-box Basic Workflow. The Approval Workflow and the Suppression Repair Workflow. The Approval Workflow, which consists of three web maps, gives an ‘approver’ (usually the Situation Unit Leader [SITL]) the ability to approve every new feature before it becomes visible in the Viewer web map (and/or printed maps).

The Suppression Repair Workflow can be used in conjunction with either the Basic or Approval Workflows. It is used to track and record suppression repair activities on an incident.

Approval Web Map Workflow

The ‘Approval’ part of the workflow gives the Situation Unit the ability to change the status of new features from the default “Proposed” to “In Review,” “Approved,” or “Archive.” The approver (SITL) will work with Operations to change features from “Proposed” to “Approved.” Team members that have access to the View Only Map cannot see any new features until they are “Approved” and a definition query in ArcGIS Pro can be used on incident maps to remove any non-approved features from display.

The SITL Approver App can be used by SITLs in the NIFC Org to manage the Approval Status of incident features without the need to create additional content. This app provides a quick and easy way for the SITL to monitor for incoming features from the field.
Navigate to the Incident Resources group to locate the latest SITL Approver App.

Template Quick Links

Suppression Repair Workflow

The Suppression Repair Workflow can be used in conjunction with either the Basic Workflow or the Approval Workflow to track the status of the suppression repair efforts on a fire. At any time during the life cycle of a feature, the Repair specific fields can be updated.

The Repair Status service is a Hosted View off the same data as the NIFS. The Accountable Property, Point and Line Repair Status layers will automatically update with any edits to the features in the NIFS. In the Suppression Repair web maps, any changes to a feature’s Repair Status field will result in a change in the feature’s halo color for easy identification.

Template Quick Links

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