NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910

NWCG data standards (data element and geospatial data layer) provide specifications that enable the common usage of data across wildland fire information systems. For more information login to EDG Explorer.

NWCG Data Standards

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Data Standards. The following Data Standards and Geospatial Data Layer tables offer a quick view of the standards.

More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer. Expand Data Standards or Geospatial Data Layer Standards below to see data standards term descriptions and status.

Note: If the NWCG Data Standards View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster.

Title Sort ascending	Steward	Status	Description
Wildland Urban Interface Indicator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, WUIMC Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for indicating if the presence of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) influenced the cost, strategy, or management of a wildfire. [validated: 12/1/2009]
Wildfire Cause Data Standard	CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee	Approved	The data standard for identifying something that started a wildfire.
Weather Concerns Data Standard	FENC Fire Environment Committee	Approved	A field collected in the ICS 209 containing a brief summary of how the current weather is affecting the incident and how the anticipated weather will affect the incident.
VIN Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) assigned to a piece of equipment.
Unit Identifier Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for Unit Identifier, a code used within the wildland fire community to uniquely identify a particular government organizational unit. [validated: 12/18/2012]
Unique Fire Report Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and rules for a code that uniquely identifies a particular fire report. [validated: 6/16/2008; next validation: 12/31/2013]
Unique Fire Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and rules for a unique identifier assigned to each wildland fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Time Point Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This data standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for representing time of day. [validated: 4/15/2008]
Tail Number Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The numerical identification of an aircraft, also known as the registration number for an aircraft, as displayed on the aircraft's tail section.
State Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Superceded	This data standard has been superseded by the Country Subdivision Code standard.
State and Landowner Final Fire Acre Quantity Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the measure of acres of land belonging to a specified owner within a fire perimeter within a state. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Special Land Designator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definitions for identifying officially designated special land types within a fire perimeter. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Significant Events Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	Create a data standard that describes the observed fire behavior or significant incident events for the current reporting period. (ICS Block 28)
Serial Number Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	A set of numbers that is put on equipment by the manufacturer so that each has a different number and can be recognized.
Selection Area Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	Indicates the dispatch center inside/outside the current dispatch center for which resources are being requested.
Secondary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s secondary phone.
Resource System of Record Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The IRWIN username of the system that currently is the System of Record for the resource and the capabilities for that resource.
Resource Quantity Current as of Date Time Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The date and time that reflects the period for which the resource counts are current.
Residences Threatened Quantity Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of residences threatened by the fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Residences Destroyed Quantity Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of residences destroyed, or damaged to an extent requiring rebuilding, as a result of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Radio Frequency	RSUSC Wildland Fire Radio Standards and Use Committee		A standard describing radio frequencies used in wildland fire.
Projected Incident Activity Data Standard	FENC Fire Environment Committee	Approved	Create a data standard that describes an estimate of the direction in which the incident is expected to spread, migrate or expand in the next 12, 49, and 72 hour time frames.
Primary Weather Station Identifier Data Standard	FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG NFDRS Weather Station Standards six-digit identifiers for identifying the NFDRS weather station best representing weather and climate conditions for an incident site at the time of initial response. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Primary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary phone.
Primary Email Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary email.
Prescribed Fire Escape Indicator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for indicating whether a wildfire resulted from an escaped prescribed fire. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Position Code & Position Title Data Standard	IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a code (mnemonic) and title for each position used in incident management response. [validated: 2/15/2005; updated: 12/17/2018]
Point of Origin State Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	The State alpha code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin.
Point of Origin State Code Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG State Code data standard to identify the state or equivalent entity at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin Slope Data Standard	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the typical slope in the immediate vicinity of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 12/17/2012]
Point of Origin Responsible Agency Unit Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Unit Identifier data standard to identify the agency with primary fire protection responsibility at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin Longitude Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Longitude data standard for identifying the longitude location of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Point of Origin Latitude Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Latitude data standard for identifying the latitude location of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Point of Origin Land Owner Kind & Category Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Land Owner Kind & Category data standard for identifying the owner at the point of origin at the time of an incident. [validated: 8/15/2008]
Point of Origin Fire Intensity Level Data Standard	FBSC Fire Behavior Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for expressing the fire intensity during the initial response. [validated: 7/6/2009]
Point of Origin Datum Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the proposed NWCG Horizontal Datum data standard for identifying the datum associated with the coordinates of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin County Code Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG County Code data standard for identifying the county or equivalent entity at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin Aspect Code Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for describing the direction toward which the predominate slope faces at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 12/17/2012]
Point of Origin Accuracy Descriptor Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for describing the methods used to determine the certainty and precision of the fire location at the point of origin. [validated: 8/15/2008]
Owner Vendor Data Standard	IBC Incident Business Committee	Approved	The name of the vendor that is providing a contract resource for an incident.
Other Structures Threatened Quantity Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of structures, other than residences, threatened by a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Other Structures Destroyed Quantity Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of structures, other than residences, destroyed as a result of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Operational Status Data Standard	IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	Describes the status of the resource as they are utilized by an incident.
Operational Name Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The CURRENT common operational reference to a Resource, the name of the resource and/or call sign. This value will be updated for equipment, crews, modules and teams based on how the resource is currently being utilized through a filled request.
National Fire Danger Rating System Fuel Model Data Standard	FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for identifying the NFDRS Fuel Model representing the predominant fuel bed across a fire area. [validated: 7/6/2009]
National Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating Data Standard	FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for describing the potential initiation, spread, and difficulty of control of wildfires in an area. [validated: 7/6/2009]
Multi-Jurisdictional Indicator Data Standard	IBC Incident Business Committee	Approved	Indicates if the incident covers multiple jurisdictions.
Modified On Date Time Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Date/time that the record was last modified.
Modified By System Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Username of system that modified the record.
Middle Name Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	The middle name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.

Note: If the NWCG Geospatial Data Layer View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster.

Data Standard Title Sort ascending	Status	Description
Wildland Urban Interface Polygon	Approved	The wildland urban interface (WUI) geospatial data standard defines minimum attribution for interagency collaboration and data sharing.
Wildland Fire Perimeters Polygon	Approved	Wildland Fire Perimeter Polygons geospatial data layer standard provides the standard template for exchange/transfer of wildland fire perimeter polygons, representing the daily and final perimeters for wildfires and prescribed fires. Replaces the Fire History (polygons) geospatial data layer standard (archived) and incorporates the Daily Fire Perimeter geospatial data layer standard
Wildland Fire Locations Point	Approved	Wildland Fire Location Points represent the final spatial locations of the fire occurrences. Fire occurrences represent the ignition points (preferred), the polygon centroids, or more generalized locations (least desirable) when the ignition points are not known or not available.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon	In Development	The Wildland Fire Event Polygon data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon	Approved	The Wildland Fire Event Polygon data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Point	Approved	The Wildland Fire Event Point data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Point	In Development	The Wildland Fire Event Point data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Line (Dev)	In Development	The Wildland Fire Event Line data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Line	Approved	The Wildland Fire Event Line data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Dispatch Office Location Point	Approved
Wildland Fire Dispatch Area Boundaries Polygon	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Wildland fire Dispatch Areas
Water Source	Approved	The Engine Water Sources data standard includes definition of a point feature class for storing information in support of fire-related operations. This layer provides information about the locations, capacity, type, etc. of water sources that may be used for firefighting purposes.
Resource Tracking Points	Approved	This geospatial layer displays the real-time location of wildland fire resources.
Predictive Services Area Boundaries Polygon	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the extent of the Predictive Services Area Boundary
Potential Operational Delineations Line	Approved	This geospatial layer depicts linear potential control features that may form wildland fire potential operational delineation polygon boundaries.
Jurisdictional Unit Polygon	Approved	This geospatial layer depicts areas of wildland fire jurisdiction to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Unit level. Jurisdictional Unit is defined by NWCG as "The governmental entity having overall land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical area as provided by law."
Initial Attack Frequency Zone Polygon	Approved	Polygons depicting areas in which FAA/DOI/USDA annually assign initial attack frequencies for incident needs.
Geographic Area Coordination Center Boundaries Polygon	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Geographic Area Coordination Centers
Fuels Treatments Polygon	Approved	The Fuels Treatments (polygon) data layer represents the area(s) of unique fuels treatments during a single timeframe. each treatment may be made up of multiple polgons.
Fire Restrictions Polygon	Approved	This geospatial layer depicts areas where measures have been taken by jurisdictional agencies to impose bans and standards of use on certain human activities that could lead to the cause of wildland fire. These rules are called fire restrictions.
Aviation Obstruction Polygon	Approved	This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Obstruction Point	Approved	This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Obstruction Line	Approved	This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Activity Polygon	Approved	This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.
Aviation Activity Point	Approved	This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.

Comment on a proposed data standard

When a new or revised data standard is ready for review and comment, it will have a status of Proposed. Submit your feedback to the Data Standards and Terminology Board.

Request for a new or revised standard

Requests for the development of a new data standard, or for changes to a current standard, may be submitted on a Request form.

Download the User Guide and other reference materials

The User Guide for Development and Maintenance of NWCG Data Standards, PMS 938, explains the processes for developing and maintaining both NWCG data element and geospatial data layer standards.

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 910

PMS 910

NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910