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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

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Incident Position Standards and Next Gen Position Task Books Now Available for Dispatch Incident Positions

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Coordinator
  • Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
  • Initial Attack Dispatcher

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Coordinator Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Recorder Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Initial Attack Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Job Aids 

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page