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PMS 205

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire

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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

The NWCG User Guide for Glossary of Wildland Fire provides information on the glossary process including new term requests, revising terms, and term stewardship.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Web View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

Note:  The Glossary View integration with EDG is scheduled for a weekly update every Sunday night. If the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster. 

Term Steward Status Definition
ABCD Miscellaneous Data Management Committee DMC, Incident Business Committee IBC Approved A FireCode used by the USDA Forest Service to track and compile cost information for emergency initial attack fire suppression expenditures for A, B, C, & D size class fires on Forest Service lands.
accounting code Incident Business Committee IBC Approved Agency-specific accounting data. Each agency assigns a specific accounting code to an incident.
accuracy descriptor (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Description of the methods used to determine the certainty and precision of the fire location at the point of origin.
active fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Any fire that has not been called out.
activity (fire cause) Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved The thing that a person is doing when a wildland fire ignition occurs.
activity group Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Further refines wildfire cause supporting data, providing information for prevention programs for targeted messaging.
activity name Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Common name of activity
activity type FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Type of activity or event
actual completion date Fuels Management Committee FMC Approved Date when treatment was physically completed
apparatus Equipment Technology Committee ETC Approved A motor-driven vehicle, or group of vehicles, designed and constructed for the purpose of fighting fires. May be of different types such as engines, water tenders, ladder trucks, etc.
apparatus identifier Equipment Technology Committee ETC Approved The alphanumeric characters assigned to an apparatus.
apparatus number National Coordination System Committee NCSC Archived The external alphanumeric value painted on the side of the equipment.
assigned resources National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC Approved Resources checked in and assigned work tasks on an incident.
at incident National Coordination System Committee NCSC Pending The resource is committed and at the assigned incident.
available DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource can be used to fill a request. Resources on preposition incidents qualify as available.
available resources National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC Approved Resources assigned to an incident and available for assignment.
blowup Fire Weather Subcommittee FWS Approved Sudden increase in fireline intensity or rate of spread of a fire sufficient to preclude direct control or to upset existing suppression plans. Often accompanied by violent convection and may have other characteristics of a fire storm.
burn block Fire Use Subcommittee FUSC Approved A discrete area within a larger prescribed or fire use project.
burning rotation Fire Use Subcommittee FUSC Approved The planned number of years between prescribed fires on a specified area.
Call When Needed (CWN) IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Employing office is a government or contractor entity; there is no set work schedule; the person is in a call-when-needed status; employee receives compensation for work.
candling Fire Behavior Subcommittee FBSC Approved The burning of the foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees, from the bottom up.
career IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Employing office is a government entity Employees are permanent employees Year-round work schedule Employee receives compensation for work
career-seasonal IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Employing office is a government entity Employees are permanent employees who are placed in nonduty/non-pay status and recalled to duty in accordance with pre-established conditions of employment Annually recurring periods of work of at least 6 months, but less than 12 months, during a calendar year Employee receives compensation for work
casual hire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Term of appointment is based on duration of the emergency situation for which the employee is hired. Employee receives compensation for work based on Administratively Determined (AD) Pay Plan for Emergency Workers
chain of command IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee, National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC Approved The orderly line of authority within the rank of incident management organizations.
comments (repair) Approved Comments on the suppression repair for each feature.
complex identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) of the complex.
complex name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The name of the complex that the fire is assigned.
contracted resource vendor National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The name of the company who, through a contract, provides resources to support incident management activities.
cost Incident Business Committee IBC Approved The dollar amount associated with an incident.
country Data Management Committee DMC Approved A nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.
country code Data Management Committee DMC Approved Short alphanumeric identification code for countries and dependent areas.
country subdivision Data Management Committee DMC Pending Political subdivisions that fall within a country
country subdivision code Data Management Committee DMC Approved A code for the identification of first-level administrative subdivisions within a country.
county code (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The County Code identifying the county or equivalent entity at point of origin designated at the time of collection. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
create date Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Date the feature was created.
create name (feature class) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Name of the person creating the feature.
created by system Data Management Committee DMC Approved System that created the data record.
created on date time Data Management Committee DMC Approved Date and time the event record was created
date current (geospatial data) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The last edit, update, of this GIS record.
date-time Data Management Committee DMC Approved The combination of date and time elements.
datum (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The datum associated with the coordinates that identify the point of origin. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
delete this Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved An attribute flag to tell editors to remove a feature added in error.
demob en route DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource is no longer assigned to an incident and travel has started, but the resource has not yet arrived home.
dispatch center National Coordination System Committee NCSC, Incident Business Committee IBC Approved An organization from which resources are ordered, mobilized or assigned to an incident and/or demobilized. The center may process requests, coordinate response, or track resources and information under the delegation of its benefiting agency(s).
dispatch center (home) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The dispatch center associated with a resource's home unit. The Home Dispatch Center is responsible for initial mobilization and is the Center associated with the resource when an assignment is completed.
dispatch center area National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Name of the Dispatch Area or Zone
dispatch center location National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The city and state of the dispatch center
dispatch center name National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Name of the dispatch center
dispatch center unit identifier National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Unit Identifier for the dispatch center
dispatch tier National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Levels of the wildland fire dispatch and coordination system
edit name (feature class) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Name of the person editing the feature.
elevation feet GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Assigned A geographic location's height above or below a fixed reference point
employment category IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved The employment appointment or agreement under which a person is hired.
estimated containment date FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The expected containment or completion date of the incident.
estimated incident cost Incident Business Committee IBC Approved Estimated dollar amount associated with an incident.
event (generic) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A generic term that relates to both planned and unplanned response activities by the interagency wildland fire community.
experience IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Pending Documented performance in a position.
experience from date Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved The time when the Experience began.
experience to date Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved The time when the Experience ended.
extreme fire behavior Fire Behavior Subcommittee FBSC Approved Extreme implies a level of fire behavior characteristics that ordinarily precludes methods of direct control action. One or more of the following is usually involved: high rate of spread, prolific crowning and/or spotting, presence of fire whirls, strong convection column. Predictability is difficult because such fires often exercise some degree of influence on their environment and behave erratically, sometimes dangerously.
feature access Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Determines who or what groups can view a particular feature.
feature category Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Type of wildland fire polygon or unburned areas
final acres FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Number of acres within the final fire perimeter of a specific, individual incident, including unburned and unburnable islands.
final fire size FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Number of acres within the final fire perimeter of a specific, individual incident, including unburned and unburnable islands.
fire cause Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC, Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee WFISC Approved Agency or circumstance which started a fire or set the stage for its occurrence; source of a fire's ignition. For statistical purposes fires are grouped into broad cause classes. The nine general causes used in the U.S. are lightning, campfire, smoking, debris burning, incendiary, machine use (equipment), railroad, children, and miscellaneous.
fire cause class Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee WFISC Approved Any class into which wildland fires are grouped according to their origin.
fire discovery date time FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The date and time a fire was discovered or confirmed to exist.
Fire Intensity Level (FIL) code (Point of Origin) (POO) Fire Behavior Subcommittee FBSC, Fire Environment Committee FENC Approved An expression of fire intensity based on observed and/or calculated flame lengths representative across the immediate vicinity of the point of origin during the initial response.Fire intensity levels (FILs) provide an expression of fireline intensity, based on typical and/ or calculated flame length of a fire behavior condition. FILs are used in the analysis to reflect the differences in difficulty of suppression and fire effects on natural and cultural resources. (Ref. FSH5109.19 ch40.5 9/85)
fire occurrence identifier Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) assigned to the spatial record.
fire out date time FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The date when all observable combustion has ceased or there is no risk of the fire again becoming active and requiring additional control or management actions.
fire report FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved An official record of a fire, generally including information on cause, location, action taken, damage, costs, etc., from start of the fire until completion of suppression action. These reports vary in form and detail from agency to agency.
fire report approver name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Name of the person that approved the fire report. Approval authority varies by agency.
fire report provider name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Name of person that provided the data for the fire report or is the contact for questions regarding the fire report.
fire reporting agency unit identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The unit identifier for the agency preparing the fire report.
fire resource status (record) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Indicates if the resource record being submitted or updated is an initial response resource or daily resource record.
fire size class code FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved A code that corresponds to one of several ranges of fire size based on the number of acres within the final fire perimeter.
fire storm Fire Behavior Subcommittee FBSC Approved Violent convection caused by a large continuous area of intense fire. Often characterized by destructively violent surface indrafts, near and beyond the perimeter, and sometimes by tornado-like whirls.
Fire Year FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Calendar year in which the fire started
FireCode Incident Business Committee IBC Approved A standardized code used by the federal wildland fire agencies/bureau assigned to effectively track and compile cost information for emergency suppression expenditures. The FireCode is incorporated into each agency’s accounting code structure.
first name Data Management Committee DMC Approved The first name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID.
fitness level Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved A descriptor of a human resource's physical work capacity.
flare-up IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee, Fire Environment Committee FENC Approved Any sudden acceleration in rate of spread or intensification of the fire. Unlike blowup, a flare-up is of relatively short duration and does not radically change existing control plans.
Forest Service assisted indicator Incident Business Committee IBC Approved Indicates if the Forest Service provided assistance on an incident outside their jurisdiction.
Forest Service job code Incident Business Committee IBC Approved A code used to indicate the Forest Service job accounting code for the incident. This is specific to the Forest Service and is usually displayed as two-character prefix on the FireCode.
Forest Service override code Incident Business Committee IBC Approved A code used to indicate the Forest Service override code for the incident. This is specific to the Forest Service, and is usually displayed as a four-character suffix on FireCode.
frequency identifier Approved Code used to ease identification of a zone.
frequency use designator RSUSC Wildland Fire Radio Standards and Use Committee Approved A designation of the kind of communications that will occur on an assigned radio frequency.
fuels treatment polygon GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Assigned A polygon representing the area(s) of unique fuels treatments during a single timeframe.
fulfillment comment IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Communication about the request and fulfilling that request
fulfillment status IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Indicates the state of the request.
general status (resource) Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved Indicates whether the resource is available or unavailable to fill a capability request.
geographic area National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A boundary designated by governmental agencies (wildland fire protection agencies) within which they work together for the interagency, intergovernmental planning, coordination, and operations leadership for the effective utilization of emergency management resources within their area. There are ten geographic areas. A listing of the areas can be found in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide, Chapter 70 along with listings of the Geographic Coordinating Areas and Geographic Area Coordination Centers.
Geographic Area (GA) code National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A code that identifies one of the wildland fire geographic areas.
Geographic Area (GA) name National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The name of the geographic area that identifies a boundary designated by wildland fire protection agencies within which they work together for the interagency, intergovernmental planning, coordination, and operations leadership for the effective utilization of emergency management resources.
Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC) National Coordination System Committee NCSC, FMB Fire Management Board Approved The physical location of an interagency, regional operation center for the effective coordination, mobilization and demobilization of emergency management resources. A coordination center serves federal, state and local wildland fire agencies through logistical coordination of resources throughout the geographic area, and with other geographic areas, as well. Listings of geographic coordination centers and their respective geographic coordinating areas can be found within the National Interagency Mobilization Guide.
Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC) code National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Shortened form of Geographic Area Coordination Center name.
geographic coordinating area National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A boundary designated by governmental agencies (wildland fire protection agencies), that may coincide with a geographic area boundary or may be a subdivision of a geographic area within which they work together coordinating, for the effective, mobilization and demobilization of emergency management resources within their area. Listings of geographic coordinating areas and geographic coordination centers can be found in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide, Chapter 20, Section 21.1.
Geographic Coordinating Area (GCA) code National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A code representing a wildland fire geographic coordinating area.
Geographic Coordinating Area (GCA) name National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The name of the wildland fire geographic coordinating area.
Geographic Information System Acres GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved GIS calculated acres within the fire perimeter, not adjusted for unburned areas
geometry identifier GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Primary key for linking geospatial objects with other database systems.
Height Above Ground Level (HAGL) GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved A height measured with respect to the underlying ground surface.
Height Above Sea Level (HASL) GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Height above mean sea level in feet.
home dispatch unit IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved The NWCG Unit Identifier of the center primarily responsible for dispatching the resource.
home unit (administrative) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The administrative organization where a resource is regularly assigned or the agency location where an individual is hired or a contract is administered.
horizontal datum code Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The identification given to the reference system used for defining the coordinates of points.
host National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A term historically used to indicate the agency or unit with jurisdiction or protection responsibilities or who was financially responsible for the incident response. Its use is not recommended.
ICS 209 remarks wfnwcgorg:NISC Approved Additional information pertinent to the management of the incident.
ICS 209 report date time wfnwcgorg:NISC Approved Automated date and time stamp applied when the ICS 209 report is submitted.
ICS 209 report for time period to National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The ending date and time of the reporting period of an ICS 209.
ignition method Fire Use Subcommittee FUSC Approved The means by which a fire is ignited, such as hand-held drip torch, helitorch, and backpack propane tanks.
ignition source Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Any process or event capable of causing a fire.
incident National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC, FMB Fire Management Board Approved An occurrence, either human-caused or a natural phenomenon, that requires action or support by emergency services personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources.
Incident Command System (ICS) National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC Approved A standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of on-scene incident management, providing a common hierarchy within which personnel from multiple organizations can be effective. ICS is the combination of procedures, personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of on-scene resources during incidents. It is used for all kinds of incidents and is applicable to small, as well as large and complex, incidents, including planned events.
Incident Commander (IC) name National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The first (optional) and last name of the Incident Commander(s) currently assigned to the incident.
incident management organization National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The incident management organization for the incident.
Incident Management Team name Approved Name of the Incident Management Team in charge of the fire.
incident name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The name assigned to an incident.
incident overhead National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC Pending All supervisory positions described in the Incident Command System.
incident personnel fatality quantity Risk Management Committee RMC Approved The total number of deaths, connected with the performance of work duties, that occurred in conjunction with an incident.
incident personnel injury illness quantity Risk Management Committee RMC Approved Total number of reportable occupational injuries and illnesses, which resulted in lost work days, that occurred in conjunction with an incident. Also includes cases without lost work days which result in transfer to another job, termination of employment, or required medical treatment (other than first aid); or which involved loss of consciousness, or restriction of work or motion. (First aid and lost work days are further defined under OSHA Part 1904.)
incident size Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved How large the incident is, measured in acres. This number can change over the life of the incident.
Incident Type Category (fire) DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Approved A sub‐group of the Incident Type Kind "Fire" that describes the types of incident or planned event to which the interagency wildland fire community responded to.
incident type endorsement Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved The type of incident for which a resource is qualified to perform in a position.
initial fire strategy designator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The fire strategy initially used on a wildland fire. The initial fire strategy is the general plan or direction utilized until it succeeds or changes.
initial fire strategy met indicator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Indicates whether the objectives for the initial fire strategy were attained.
initial response resource quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The total number of fire resources by kind, category, and type (if listed and applicable) used during the initial response. Initial response resources will only be counted during initial attack. Extended Attack Incidents are those which persist beyond the first full operational period where local resources are not sufficient and the complexity elevates beyond initial attack commander capability.
Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information Identifier IMC Integration Management Committee Approved Primary key for linking to the Wildland Fire Locations Point dataset.
intermittent IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Employing office is a government or contractor entity; there is no set work schedule; the person is in a call-when-needed status; employee receives compensation for work.
invasive concern ISSC Invasive Species Subcommittee Approved A list of invasive species that are cause for concern related to the use of water sources.
is location tracking enabled National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Indicates whether a resource's location (geometry object/shape) is being updated by a real-time GPS tracking such as AVL (Automated Vehicle Locator).
is primary capability Equipment Technology Committee ETC, National Interagency Aviation Committee NIAC Approved Indicates that the capability is the primary capability for the equipment or aircraft.
is valid (resource) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Indicates whether a resource is valid for use in Initial Response. Invalid resources should be removed from the data stream
is visible GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Provides a flag for mapping display.
jurisdictional agency category FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Assigned The agency category having land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical or functional area as provided by federal, state or local law.
jurisdictional agency kind FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Assigned The agency kind having land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical or functional area as provided by federal, state or local law.
jurisdictional unit FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The governmental entity having overall land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical area as provided by law.
jurisdictional unit identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Code used in interagency wildland fire to uniquely identify the governmental entity having overall land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical area as provided by law.
jurisdictional unit name FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Assigned The name of the governmental entity having overall land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical area as provided by law.
label GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved The label applied to the feature in a GIS system.
landowner Data Management Committee DMC Approved The person or entity that owns the land or has the authority to convey title to others.
landowner category (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Agency or entity having the land management responsibility at the point of origin.
landowner contact information Approved Full contact information for the landowner including name, phone number, email, etc.
landowner kind (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Broad classification of land ownership at the point of origin.
landowner unit (Point of Origin) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved NWCG Unit Identifier of landowner agency at the point of origin of a fire.
last name Data Management Committee DMC Approved The last name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID.
latitude (Decimal Degrees) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The angular distance north or south of the earth's equator, measured in units of decimal degrees along a meridian.
latitude (Decimal Degrees) (Point of Origin) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The latitude location of the wildland fire location point specified in decimal degrees.
latitude (Degrees Decimal Minutes) GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Latitude in degrees, decimal minutes WGS84 for labeling purposes.
latitude (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved The latitude location of the point of origin specified in decimal degrees. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
lighting (aviation obstruction) AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Indicates if the aviation obstacle is lighted.
limitations (water source) Approved Limitation of the water source like duration of use, seasonality, slow refill, must have specific size screen on draft hose, etc.
line date time FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The date and time that the fire perimeter was collected in the field.
local fire report identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved A number or code that uniquely identifies an incident report for a particular reporting unit and a particular calendar year.
local incident identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved A number or code that uniquely identifies an incident for a particular local fire management organization within a particular calendar year.
location timestamp National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The date/time for the resource’s last known position.
longitude (Decimal Degrees) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The angular distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in units of decimal degrees.
longitude (Decimal Degrees) (Point of Origin) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The longitude location of the wildland fire location point specified in decimal degrees.
longitude (Degrees Decimal Minutes) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved Longitude in degrees, decimal minutes WGS84 fore labeling purposes.
longitude (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved The longitude location of the point of origin specified in decimal degrees. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
longitude (World Geodetic System 1984) GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Longitude format for labeling and display.
management complexity level designator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The highest management level utilized to manage a fire event.
manager contact information National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Contact information for the manager of the resource.
map method Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved How the geospatial feature was derived
merge identifier IMC Integration Management Committee Approved Identifies that a merge between multiple fires occurred.
middle name Data Management Committee DMC Approved The middle name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.
mob en route DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource is assigned to an incident and travel has started, but the resource has not yet arrived at the incident. This is the time between ETD and ETA.
modified by system Data Management Committee DMC Approved Username of system that modified the record.
modified on date time Data Management Committee DMC Approved Date/time that the record was modified.
National Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved The Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating representative of an area that best describes the potential initiation, spread, and difficulty of control during initial response. Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating: A method of normalizing rating classes across different fuel models, indexes, and weather station locations. It is a resultant descriptor of the combination of both constant and variable factors that affect the initiation, spread, and difficulty of control of wildfires on an area.
National Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating Code FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved The Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating representative of an area that best describes the potential initiation, spread, and difficulty of control during initial response. Fire Danger Adjective Class Rating: A method of normalizing rating classes across different fuel models, indexes, and weather station locations. It is a resultant descriptor of the combination of both constant and variable factors that affect the initiation, spread, and difficulty of control of wildfires on an area.
National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) Fuel Model code FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved A code that corresponds to one of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) fuel models representing the predominant fuel bed properties contributing towards fire spread across the fire area.
National Fire Incident Reporting System unit identifier IMC Integration Management Committee Approved National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) fire department ID used to uniquely identify a non-federal organizational unit (office administratively responsible for either managing incidents, providing resources, or providing logistical services).
obstruction name AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Common name of feature.
obstruction type AMC Aviation Management Committee Approved Specific descriptor of aviation obstruction identified on a map.
operational status National Coordination System Committee NCSC, IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved The state of a resource as it is utilized by an incident.
other structures destroyed quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The total number of structures, other than residences, destroyed as a result of a fire.
other structures threatened quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The total number of structures, other than residences, threatened by the fire.
out (fire) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Pending All observable combustion has ceased and there is no risk of the fire again becoming active and requiring additional control or management actions.
perimeter extant GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Identifies if a related wildland fire perimeter polygon exists for the wildland fire location point feature.
point date time FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved The date and time that the fire point was collected in the field.
point name GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved An additional field to assist with identifying the feature.
point type GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Description of the type of point.
polygon date time GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved The date and time that the polygon was collected in the field
position code Position Naming Board PNB Approved A code (mnemonic) for designating a position used in incident management response
position title Position Naming Board PNB Approved A title for a position used for incident management response.
Predictive Services Area Name IWSC Incident Weather Subcommittee Approved Unique name of the Predictive Services Area defined by Predictive Services.
Predictive Services Area national code Approved Unique code for every PSA associated to a single unit.
prescribed fire FMB Fire Management Board Approved A wildland fire originating from a planned ignition in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations to meet specific objectives.​
prescribed fire escape indicator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Indicates whether the wildfire resulted from an escaped prescribed fire. Y or N.
primary phone Data Management Committee DMC Approved Individual’s primary phone.
primary weather station identifier PSOG National Predictive Services Oversight Group Approved The six-digit National Weather Station ID for the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) weather station that best represents the predominate weather and climate conditions for the incident site at the time of initial response.
prohibited Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Allows identification of an activity which is unlawful or otherwise prohibited (burn ban, unpermitted, etc.) by local authorities.
projected incident activity Fire Environment Committee FENC Approved An estimate of the direction in which the incident is expected to spread, migrate, or expand within a specified time frame.
property information Approved Accountable property information to track ownership.
protecting agency Incident Business Committee IBC Approved The agency responsible for providing direct incident management and services to a given area pursuant to its jurisdictional responsibility or as specified by law, contract or agreement.
protecting unit FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The entity responsible for providing direct incident management and services to a given area pursuant to its jurisdictional responsibility or as specified by law, contract or agreement.
provider unit National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Any government organization that is a source of resources for response or mutual aid support to an incident, whether in the field, at the scene of an incident, or operations center. This includes government organizations that administer contracts or agreements for resources.
reassigned (at incident) DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending A resource on a filled request has been reassigned from one incident to the another, but the mobilization travel has not started.
released (at incident) DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending A resource on a filled request has been released, but the demobilization travel has not started.
repair status Approved Status of the Suppression Repair project for each feature.
reserved DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource has been assigned to a request but has not started travel. Either no travel has been assigned, or if travel has been assigned, the ETD has not yet passed.
residences destroyed quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The total number of residences destroyed, or damaged to an extent requiring rebuilding, as a result of the fire. Residence is defined as a place where one lives; a house, apartment, or other shelter used as the residence of a person, family or household. This includes primary and secondary residences.
residences threatened quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The total number of residences threatened by the fire. Residence is defined as a place where one lives; a house, apartment, or other shelter used as the residence of a person, family or household. This includes primary and secondary residences. Residences are threatened if they are at risk of loss or damage, or endangered during the course of the fire. This includes, but is not limited to, residences subject to mandatory evacuation.
resource capacity IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee, Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC Approved The competency level in which the overhead resource is qualified to perform a position. May also be used to define how the resource performed on a specific incident. In both cases the capacity is defined as trainee or qualified.
resource quantity current as of date time National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The date and time that reflects the period for which the resource counts are current.
Resource System of Record (RSOR) National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The exchange username of the system that currently is the System of Record for the resource and the capabilities for that resource.
resources [incident] National Incident Management System Integration Committee NIMSIC, IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee Approved Personnel and equipment available or potentially available for assignment to incident operations and for which status is maintained. Resources are described by kind and type.
responsible agency unit identifier (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The unit identifier for the agency that has primary protection responsibility at the point of origin at the time of the incident.
returned from assignment DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource has returned from the assignment but is not yet available for dispatch.
secondary phone Data Management Committee DMC Approved Individual’s secondary phone.
selection area National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved Indicates the dispatch center inside/outside the current dispatch center for which resources are being requested.
serial number National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A set of numbers that is put on equipment by the manufacturer so that each has a different number and can be recognized.
size class IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Identifies the fire size based on number of acres within the final fire perimeter
size class of fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved As to size of wildfire: Class A - one-fourth acre or less; Class B - more than one-fourth acre, but less than 10 acres; Class C - 10 acres or more, but less than 100 acres; Class D - 100 acres or more, but less than 300 acres; Class E - 300 acres or more, but less than 1,000 acres; Class F - 1,000 acres or more, but less than 5,000 acres; Class G - 5,000 acres or more.
slope percentage (Point of Origin) (POO) Geospatial Subcommittee GSC Approved The ratio between the amount of vertical rise and horizontal distance of the terrain as expressed in a percent that represents the typical slope in the immediate vicinity of the point of origin of a fire. Point of origin is the location where a competent ignition source came into contact with the material first ignited and sustained combustion occurred.
source agency Approved Land management agency with responsibility for creating and administering the data.
source depth (water) Approved Depth in feet of the water source.
source gallon capacity (water source) Approved Capacity in gallons of the water source.
source hyperlink (mapping) GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee A link to documentation about the mapping effort
special land designator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Officially designated special land types within the fire perimeter.
state (Point of Origin) (POO) FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved The Country and State alpha code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin.
state and landowner final fire acre quantity FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved Number of acres measured by each Landowner Kind and Category within a State Code associated with the land within the final fire perimeter of a specific, individual incident. The area measured within the perimeter includes unburned and unburnable islands or portions of such.
state code Data Management Committee DMC Superseded A code for the identification of the states, the District of Columbia and the outlying areas of the United States, and associated areas.
tail number National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved The numerical identification of an aircraft, also known as the registration number for an aircraft, as displayed on the aircraft’s tail section.
temporary IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: Employing office is a government entity Term of appointment is not to exceed one year Employee receives compensation for work
tentative release DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending A resource may be tentatively released from At Incident so that a dispatcher can have a view of where resources are and their availability to be assigned to an incident.
time point Data Management Committee DMC Approved A point in time during a 24-hour Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) day.
torching Fire Behavior Subcommittee FBSC Approved The burning of the foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees, from the bottom up.
treatment acres Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Acreage of treatment polygon as calculated with GIS
treatment category Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Describes major class of treatment.
treatment identifier Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Unique identifier for fuels treatment polygon(s).
treatment identifier database Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved The database containing additional information related to the treatment identifier
treatment name Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved The name of the fuels treatment
treatment status Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Status of the fuels treatment polygon(s).
treatment type Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee CEPC Approved Describes the kind of treatment work. Type is more specific than treatment category.
unavailable Pending The resource is not available to fill a resource order request.
unavailable (transferred) DCSC Dispatch Coordination Subcommittee Pending The resource has been transferred to another dispatch, but the transfer has not been completed.
uncontrolled fire IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Any fire which threatens to destroy life, property, or natural resources, and (a) is not burning within the confines of firebreaks, or (b) is burning with such intensity that it could not be readily extinguished with ordinary tools commonly available.
unique fire identifier National Coordination System Committee NCSC Approved A unique identifier assigned to each wildland fire.
unique fire report identifier FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved A code that uniquely identifies a particular fire report.
Unit Identifier (UnitID) UIB Unit Identifier Board Approved A code used within the interagency incident management community to uniquely identify a particular governmental or non-government organizational unit recognized by NWCG as a wildland fire or all-risk cooperator.
Universal Transverse Mercator easting coordinates GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Grid coordinates expressed as a distance in meters to the east.
Universal Transverse Mercator northing coordinates GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved Coordinates measured relative to the equator.
Universal Transverse Mercator Zone GISC Geospatial Information Subcommittee Approved A division of the Earth's surface into 60 north-south zones, each 6 degrees of longitude wide.
volunteer IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appointment/agreement that meets the following conditions: The person does not receive compensation (other than reasonable reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually incurred)
water source IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved Any strategically located supply of water that is readily available for pumps, tanks, trucks, helicopters, or fire camp use.
water source type IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved The type of water source.
weather concerns Fire Environment Committee FENC 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.
wildfire FMB Fire Management Board Approved A wildland fire originating from an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, volcanos, unauthorized and accidental human caused fires, and prescribed fires that are declared wildfires.
wildfire response strategies ICSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved The range of options available for response to a wildfire.
wildfire suppression IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved An appropriate management response to wildfire or prescribed fire that results in curtailment of fire spread and eliminates all identified threats from the particular fire.
wildland fire FMB Fire Management Board Approved Any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels. Includes wildfires and prescribed fires.
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) FMB Fire Management Board Approved The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetation fuels.​​
Wildland Urban Interface indicator FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, WMSC WUI Mitigation Subcommittee Approved A flag that indicates if the presence of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) increased the cost or management complexity of a wildfire.
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NWCG Latest Announcements

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date:  May 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system. 

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer