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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.

An auto-generated triangle in the Event Polygon layer with the attribute pop up showing the highlighted IRWIN ID. 

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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Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee 

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

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2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

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