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Gather Incident Information


Most incident information will be readily available on your Resource Order. The main attribute that you will need that may not be readily available is the IRWIN ID. 

IRWIN stands for Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information. It was created to be a central repository for basic fire information to reduce redundant data entry and improve the consistency of information.

The IRWIN ID is a required attribute for every feature created in the NIFS. The IRWIN ID is used to tie each feature to its parent incident. For Event Polygon features, the IRWIN ID is used to join the perimeter with the incident information to create the publicly available perimeter data.

The IRWIN ID is a Global Unique Identifier (GUID). A GUID has 32 randomly generated characters that will look something like this: {5BFC1A52-D8A9-4BFF-AB98-225D7B4BA4A1}

After locating the IRWIN ID through one of the methods outlined below, best practice is to add it to the GeoOps File Namer spreadsheet in the \tools folder of the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

When in doubt, always check with the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) for confirmation of any ID.

Auto-Generated Triangles in the National Incident Feature Service

For each new IRWIN wildfire record, a triangle is automatically generated at the reported Lat/Long with the reported acreage in Event Polygon.

The triangle will have the IRWIN ID populated so the geometry can be easily replaced with the first accurate perimeter.

IRWIN ID screen

IRWIN ID in ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

Log into the NIFC ArcGIS Online Organization and use the IRWIN ID Search App to search by incident name or zoom manually to each active incident. Clicking on a point will display the IRWIN ID in the pop-up.

Highlighting the Search Function of the Current Wildland Fires (IRWIN) App in ArcGIS Online.

Incident Information on Resource Order

Incident Name

Found in box 2. Fairly straightforward, this is the name of the incident – Peak 2 in this example.

This is the name you would use for the IncidentName attribute.

Unique Fire ID

Found in box 3. The first half of the Unique Fire ID is the Unit ID for the agency responsible for the incident. In this example CO-WRF, Colorado White River National Forest. The second half is the Local Incident ID, in this case, 000236.

Best practice is to add the Unit ID and Local Incident IDs to the GeoOps File Namer spreadsheet in the \tools folder of the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

Resource Order with the Incident Name and Local Incident ID highlighted.

Incident Action Plan (IAP)

If you have already arrived at the Incident Command Post (ICP) and the incident is beyond the first operational period, much of the information you will need will be available in the IAP.

At a minimum, the Incident Name and Number will be on most Incident Command System (ICS) forms.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

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NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

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NWCG Celebrates 50 Years!

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Executive Secretary

NWCG is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the wildland fire community. Beginning in 1976 with an interagency agreement between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture, NWCG has grown to include additional member agencies and is recognized as the standard-setting leader in wildland fire operations.

To honor where we’ve been and highlight where we are going, the NWCG team has created a video showcasing our history and accomplishments. The video is now available on the NWCG website.

References:

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NEW! S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this course is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of situational awareness and decision making, building on the knowledge and concepts introduced in previous required courses. Using a threaded fictitious fire, each unit focuses on a performance-based activity in which students practice applying their decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is required for individuals seeking qualifications to be a Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1) or an Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).

References:

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