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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

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal