Skip to main content

Event Geodatabase

Purpose

The Event Geodatabase (Event GDB) is the NWCG standard for use on all incidents and contains point, line, and polygon representations for typical fire features. The Event GDB was approved by the NWCG's Geospatial Subcommittee in the spring of 2017 along with the NWCG Wildland Fire Event Point, Event Line, and Event Polygon Data Standards. The Event GDB is used in all phases of a wildfire incident including initial attack, extended fire management activities, and rehabilitation and repair.

A standardized incident geodatabase schema is critical to the interoperability and efficiency of personnel and tools on a wildland fire incident. A consistent schema permits the development of tools and workflows to speed data management and mapping. A standard schema also allows incident data to be aggregated at the Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC)​ and national level to provide a picture of the wildland fire situation.

The Event GDB is referenced several ways based on application (Offline Copy, Master Incident GDB, etc.). It is important to understand that because "Event" is a schema standard, the data in each of these is interchangeable. Different names designate the different implementation phases of the Event GDB in various workflows. The Event GDB is primarily implemented in the wildland fire enterprise through the National Incident Feature Service (NIFS).

Specifications

The Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)​ will adhere to the following:

  • GISS and any other incident personnel working with incident spatial information must use the NWCG Approved Wildland Fire Event GDB standard for data storage and exchange.
  • The Event schema should not be modified.
  • Required data elements in the Wildland Fire Event GDB must be fully populated during the incident. The Event attributes serve as feature-level metadata for each record.
  • The Event GDB will be stored in the correct location in the Incident Directory Structure and follow File Naming conventions for GDB name.
  • The Event GDB will be backed up to provide a snapshot of the incident data daily or more frequently based on incident activity.
  • The required data elements FeatureAccess, FeatureStatus, and IsVisible are used by external systems to control the sharing of the incident data. Unless considered sensitive, the fire polygon will have FeatureAccess = Public, FeaturesStatus = Approved, and IsVisible = Yes (these are the default values for Event Polygon).

Required Fields

Click on image to enlarge.

Image

References

Responsibilities

The GISS is responsible for following the Event GDB standard and the specifications described in this section of GeoOps. The GISS will load the Event GDB into the NIFS after any edits to the local geodatabase. The GISS will work with the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) to ensure all data in the Event GDB accurately represents the incident.

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

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