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6.10 Latitude & Longitude

Latitude and longitude are measuring lines used for locating places on the surface of the Earth. They are angular measurements, expressed as degrees of a circle. A full circle contains 360°. Each degree can be divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds. The symbol for minutes is (´) and for seconds is ("). 

Latitude lines (called parallels) circle the planet's surface in lines parallel to the equator, which lies halfway between the North and South poles. Latitude lines circle the planet from east and west, beginning at 0° at the equator and increasing to 90°North or 90°South.

Longitude lines (called meridians) run north and south and circle the planet from pole to pole. Each line is identified by the number of degrees east or west from a starting point at Greenwich, England, known as the prime meridian. The longitude at the prime meridian is 0°. Longitudes lines mark the distance westward, to 180°West, and eastward, to 180°East.

Earth with Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude measurements can be written in several ways. For example, 211 degrees, 22 minutes, and 30 seconds is written as 211° 22´30", or with spaces: 211 22 30; or with a decimal after the degrees 211.22´30", or with a decimal after the minutes 211 22.30. One degree of latitude equals about 69 miles. One minute is just over a mile, and one second is about 100 feet. 

When adding or subtracting degrees, convert to minutes and seconds as necessary and borrow the appropriate amount (see Section 1.3). For example, when borrowing 1 degree from 360°, change to 359°60´. To borrow 1 minute from 359° 60´, change to 359° 59´60".

Example 1 320°25´32" - 210°50´41" 

degrees min seconds

Step1. Subtract 1 from 2.
2 - 1 = 1

Step 2. Borrow 1 minute from the 5 for the seconds.
There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.
60 + 30 = 90

Step 3. Subtract 4 from 9.
9 - 4 = 5

Step 4. Subtract 0 from 4.
4 - 0 = 4

Step 5. Borrow 1 degree from 20° for the minutes. There are 60 minutes in 1 degree.
60 + 20 = 80

Step 6. Subtract 5 from 8.
8 - 5 = 3

Step 7. Subtract 210 from 319.
319 - 210 = 109

109°34´51"
 

Example 2 - Add 142° 54´ 43" + 85° 36´ 44".
 
degrees min seconds

Step 1. Add the seconds. 43 + 44 = 87
Sixty seconds equals 1 minute.

Step 2. 87 is greater than 60, so subtract 60 seconds from 87 seconds. There are 60 seconds in 1 minute, so add 1 minute to the minute column.
87 - 60 = 27 seconds

Step 3. Add the minutes.
54 + 36 + 1 (carried over from the seconds) = 91 minutes

Step 4. 91 is greater than 60, so subtract 60 minutes from 91 minutes. There 60 minutes in 1 degree, so add 1 to the degree column. 91 - 60 = 31 minutes

Step 5. Add the degrees.
142 + 85 + 1 (carried over from the minutes) = 228 degrees

228°31´27"

Example 3 - Name the range of latitude and longitude for the borders of Wyoming.

Step 1. Find Wyoming on a map.

Step 2. Locate the east and west borders of Wyoming. 

Longitude 111°W to 104°W. It is west of the Greenwich Longitude.

Step 3. Find the north and south borders of Wyoming.

Latitude 41°N to 45°N. The location is north of the equator.

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NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
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The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

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Date: Sep 5, 2025
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The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

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2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources

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NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

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Date: Aug 15, 2025
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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).

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S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

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