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Mapping References

  1. Online Data Sources
  2. Desktop Applications
  3. Google Earth Pro
  4. Mobile Applications

Online Data Sources

In addition to the following national sources, inquire about local GIS resource availability.

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Desktop Applications

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Google EarthPro

Settings

Viewing 3D Terrain in Google Earth Pro requires selecting the terrain option from the bottom of the layers portion of the left side menu.

Resources

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Mobile Applications

Collector for ArcGIS

Collector works on iOS, Android, and Windows 10 and allows the user to collect and update information in the field, take maps and data offline, sync changes when connected, attribute data collection with easy-to-use map-driven forms, and capture and share photos and videos.

Avenza Maps and Pro Subscriptions

Avenza Maps is GIS technology available on Apple, Android, and Windows devices for navigation, information collection, and sharing geographic information and knowledge. It displays geospatial PDF, GeoPDF® and GeoTIFF and interacts with the GPS on the device, allowing the user to record GPS tracks, add placemarks, and find places.

Avenza Maps Pro users will be able to import and export shapefiles and current capabilities of the Avenza PDF Maps App in terms of data collection and editing but with Avenza Maps Pro, shapefiles are a supported import/export format. More features will be added, over time. It is a subscription service, requiring registration of individual devices. 

With the release of the Pro version, the current standard Avenza PDF Maps App will be changing, the most significant change will be users may only access five maps at any time on their device, unless the maps have all been obtained from the Avenza Map Store. It is strongly recommended that all users upgrade to the new Avenza Maps Pro version.

Avenza Maps Pro may be available under an enterprise license contract through the U.S. Forest Service.

Other Products

  • Gaia GPS and GaiaPro - Gaia GPS integrates topo maps, offline navigation tools, and planning features, seamlessly across phones, tablets, and gaiagps.com. GaiaPro spans Gaia GPS on iOS, and Android. GaiaPro is an upgrade to the standard application, including custom maps, premium satellite imagery, public land, hunting zones, and tools including layered maps, area measurement, and printing.
  • You Need a Map - A map that works in Apple IOS to provide coverage of the US without a cell phone signal, showing not just roads but also terrain, streams, lakes, and other landmarks.
  • Theodolite 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal