Symbology

Purpose

Standard symbols in mapping wildland fires facilitates fast and consistent interpretation of mapping products and helps prevent ambiguous map interpretation, which can become a safety issue during an incident. In the interest of encouraging safety, consistency, and readability, GeoOps describes the symbols that should be used when creating maps.​

Specifications

• Point Feature symbology
• Line Feature symbology
• Polygon Feature symbology
• Secondary Symbols symbology

The following applies:

• Symbols should be identifiable and clearly distinguishable from other Incident Command System (ICS) symbols, whether displayed in color or black and white.
• Common map conventions (e.g., blue for hydrologic features) should be observed, if possible, to ensure clear communication.
• National symbology standards should be used where appropriate. See references below.
• Choice of symbol size is at the discretion of the Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) and the Situation Unit Leader (SITL)​.
• Latitude/Longitude information is displayed in degrees, decimal minutes, WGS 84 datum.
• The Point Feature symbology specifications table should be referenced for label requirements.
• The Label attribute is typically used to dynamically label all Point features, with the exception of Division, Branch, and Zone Breaks.  Dynamic labels can also be used for Line or Polygon features when needed (e.g., Management Action Points).  All labels, if turned on, will label on the Label field in the attribute table by default.  
• Division, Branch, and Zone labels should be placed between assignment breaks, using the Label Point Feature Layer.
• Secondary symbols are derived from the same data as the primary symbols and used in conjunction with them.  For example, Repair Status is an attribute on Accountable Property, Event Point, and Event Line. The Repair Status Service is a view of the same data but symbolized on the Repair Status attributes. When displayed in conjunction with the primary layers, it visualizes the Feature Type and Repair Status to the end user.

References

• Removal of Medivac symbol Memo and Interagency Aviation Accident Prevention Bulletin.
• Use of Latitude and Longitude in wildland fire - USFS Information Bulletin 2010-02 Latitude Longitude.
• ICS Symbology StoryMap.
• ICS Symbols and Photos poster.
• ICS Symbols and Photos poster addendum.
• Ownership Map Colors.
• NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1.
• Current layer files are in the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

Responsibilities

The SITL ensures that standard map symbology is used for mapping wildland fire incidents. The GISS uses the standard GIS map symbology and, if applicable, standard map symbol colors but may adapt (e.g., enlarge, use halo) the symbology for map readability while maintaining the essential design of the standard symbols.