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Situation Unit Map

Product Description

The Situation Unit Map is a large-format map with an accurate, current, and detailed record of the incident information, displayed in or near the Situation Unit area. The Situation Unit Map should be limited to the extent of the incident rather than showing all the surrounding area. Its purpose is to show the current incident information and provide a place for marking map edits.

Target Audience

Incident Commander, Command and General Staff, agency representatives, Situation Unit Leader (SITL), Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Strategic Operational Planner.

Guidelines

  • Standard Incident Command System (ICS) symbology.
  • Feature symbology discernible from the back of the meeting area.
  • Usually “D” (22” x 34”) size or larger.
  • Usually 1:24,000 scale; 1:63,360 scale in Alaska.

Standard Elements

All map products produced should include the STANDL-SGD cartographic elements.

Data

  • Incident perimeter, ICS line and point features (e.g., Dozer Line, Incident Command Post, Helispots).
  • Division and Branch breaks and labels.
  • Transportation routes.
  • Safety hazards, if available.
  • Administrative boundaries (e.g., jurisdiction), political boundaries (city-county-state-national).
  • Ownership–land status.
  • Appropriate base background, such as topographic (with or without shaded relief) or orthoimagery.
  • Other SITL-requested data.

Examples

These are examples from actual incidents and may include non-standard elements.

Also note that examples use the standard symbols at the time of their creation and may not reflect the current GeoOps symbology. Map elements, incident features, and composition remain consistent across these visual changes.

  1. 2010 Wrangler Fire
  2. 2017 Falcon Complex
  3. 2013 West Fork Complex

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

References:

Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts