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Strategic Operations Map

Product Description

The Strategic Operations Map effectively displays an Incident Management Team’s (IMT) long-term strategy in managing an incident, and the data that informs the strategy. It consists of one or more large-format maps with an accurate, current, and detailed record of incident information across the entire planning area.

Target Audience

Incident Commander, all IMT staff, Agency Representatives, Resource Advisors, all Operations and Line personnel, Aerial resources, National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC).

Guidelines

  • Standard Incident Command System (ICS) symbology discernible from the back of a meeting area.
  • Printed in color to enable clear depiction of incident and map features.
  • Size varies but usually Arch D (22” x 34”) size or larger.
  • Scale varies based on planning area and map size.
  • May be one map for the entire incident or multiple maps.
  • Distribution is limited to the target audience; not posted to ftp.wildfire.gov.
  • Include disclaimer “Not for Public Distribution”.
  • Georeferenced.

Standard Elements

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

Data

Disclaimer: NWCG Data Standards do not currently exist for all data recommended for inclusion on a Strategic Operations Map. Not all datasets listed may be needed for every incident.

DataSourceRecommendations
Wildfire Daily Fire Perimeter (Polygon) and Contained/Uncontained linesNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Event Lines such as Proposed, Planned and Completed LinesNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Event Points features such as Camp, Drop Point, Helispot, Lookout, Mobile Retardant Base, Mobile Weather Unit, Repeater, Restricted Water Source, Safety Hazards, Staging Area, Water Sources, Values at RiskNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Division and branch breaks and labelsNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Values at RiskNo single source dataset currently exists. Values may be represented in other agency, local, state, and national datasets. Point data may be added to National Incident Feature Service / Event Point layer.Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Management Action Points 
NWCG definition is specific to Prescribed Fire		National Incident Feature ServiceInclude associated language (Condition, Action, Resources) in Comments field and on map layout.
Strategic Lines 
Proposed, planned, under construction and/or completed line that outline the overall strategy for achieving an incident’s defined goals. The tactical steps for implementation and/or exact locations of line placement may or may not fully be identified.		National Incident Feature Service

Use the Strategic Line Type attribute field of the Event Line layer to indicate if the line is considered one of the following:

  • Primary Strategic Line – the current plan being implemented to meet incident objectives.
  • Secondary Strategic Line – an alternate or contingency line that, based on current conditions, will be implemented or is already being constructed.
  • Proposed Strategic Line – an alternate or contingency line that has been identified but is not currently being implemented. This may be because it still needs to be scouted or current conditions on the incident do not require the construction of this line.
  • Once a selection is made on the Strategic Line Type attribute field, the Strategic Operations service will display a halo under the Event Line with the color scheme above.
Evacuation Planning AreasLocal Jurisdictional Agency(s)Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. If GISS is tasked with creating data on-incident, symbolize based on the local jurisdiction's direction.
Fire HistoryWFIGSUse standard dataset. Supplement with existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where there are data gaps. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Fuels Treatment HistoryWFMRDAUse standard dataset. Supplement with existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where there are data gaps. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Planning Area
See WFDSS glossary for definition		WFDSSUse WFDSS output. Symbolize based on WFDSS palette (R: 194, G: 23, B: 199).
Short-Term Fire Behavior (STFB) model/Minimum Travel Time (MTT)
Near-Term Fire Behavior (NTFB) model/FARSITE
Fire Spread Probability (FSPro) model
See WFDSS glossary for definitions		Generated by analysts.Symbolize according to analyst direction.
Limited Action Line
Portion of the fire perimeter that is inactive and/or poses little to no threat of impacts to identified values, therefore limited to no action is being proposed or implemented.		Determined by Operations. Store data in the Limited Action Line feature class in the Other Incident Data geodatabase in the GeoOps incident directory.
  • Copy the portion of the Perimeter Line to the Limited Action Line feature class
  • Repair path of the Limited Action Line lyrx to the Limited Action Line feature class
  • The Limited Action Line symbol will display offset from the perimeter automatically
Special Interest Management Areas
Areas in which there are management or use restrictions in place.		No single source dataset currently exists.Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. For example, EDW/EDW_SpecialInterestManagementArea_01 (MapServer) (usda.gov).
Administrative boundaries, political boundaries (city (subdivisions)-county, state, national)Local Jurisdictional Agency(s), PADUS, CENSUS 
Ownership–land statusWildland Fire Data Management Program (DMP) Use standard dataset and symbology.
Appropriate base map, such as topography or orthoimageryVaries 
Other SITL-requested dataVaries 

Examples

These are examples from actual incidents and may include elements that differ from this guide. 

  1. 2024 Retreat
  2. 2023 Black Feather
  3. 2023 Smith River Complex South
  4. 2023 River Road East

Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508