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Creating a Local Copy

The National Incident Feature Services (NIFS) are designed to be used on fires and incidents of any size. This will help with streamlining data sharing, quick deployment of ArcGIS Online and Collector, and transitioning between teams. This service is hosted by the Fire Enterprise Geospatial Portal (EGP). As hosted data, it can easily be shared near-real time with fire personnel at any time or location.

Editing the National Incident Feature Services is essential to the role of a GISS. This is accomplished primarily through the use of Local Copies. A Local copy is a downloaded subset of data from the NIFS which can be edited like a regular geodatabase and then synced back to the service to apply the changes.

Even though it allows for multiple simultaneous editors, a Feature Service and Local Copy edits have none of the conflict protection or resolution capabilities of a truly versioned environment. Great care must be taken not to overwrite other user data.

Best practices for editing the NIFS include:

  • Only ever download and/or edit an incident you are assigned to.
  • Keep Local Copies only as long as necessary to make edits.
  • If there are multiple editors, establish clear geographic boundaries and communicate frequently.
  • Educate field collectors on editing conflicts and coordinate their assignments to avoid them.

For examples of conflicts and GISS Watch-Out situations, see the document Offline-Editing Conflict Resolution in the National Incident Feature Services and Hosted Feature Services.

Pro

Because Pro has two-way sync capability, remember to always sync before starting an edit session to pull in the most recent data. Otherwise the data in the map is as old as your last sync.

  • Create a Local Copy with ArcGIS Pro [Draft] - Basic workflow to connect to the EGP ArcGISIMT server and download a Local Copy.
  • Utilizing Local Copies with the Pro Project Template [Draft] - Instructions on efficiently implementing a Local Copy workflow with the Pro Project Template, including editing multiple areas at once.

Add the NIFS and Configure Feature Templates in ArcGIS Pro

 

ArcMap

Connecting to the NIFS Services in ArcMap

Update: The National Incident Feature Service name has been changed from Event_GISSEdit_Open to Event_GISSEdit. It is still on the same server in the same folder.

Create a Local Copy in ArcMap

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee