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	Steward Sort descending	Status	Description
Wildfire Cause Data Standard	CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee	Approved	The data standard for identifying something that started a wildfire.
GUID Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Grandfathered	A standard describing a globally unique identifier for unique identification.
Secondary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s secondary phone.
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.
Primary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary phone.
Country Subdivision Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for country subdivision codes of up to three alpha-numeric characters. This standard replaces the NWCG State Code standard.
Primary Email Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary email.
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.
Date Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This data standard specifies a standard format for calendar date. [validated: 7/30/2002]
Last Name Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	The last name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.
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]
Created By System Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Username of system that created the record.
State Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Superceded	This data standard has been superseded by the Country Subdivision Code standard.
Date-Time Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	The combination of date and time elements.
ADS Permission State Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Grandfathered	Indicates the permission hierarchy that is currently being applied when a system utilizes the Update Incident operation.
Created On Date Time Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Date/time that the record was created.
First Name Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	The first name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.
Country Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for two-letter country codes.
County Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This standard adopts the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) publications 6-4, Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, and Associated Areas. This FIPS standard was approved on August 31, 1990, and is published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Computer Systems Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. FIPS PUB 6-4 implements the American National Standard ANSI X3.31-1988, Information Systems - Codes - Structure for the Identification of the Counties and County Equivalents of the United Sates and Its Outlying and Associated Areas for Information Interchange. ANSI X3.31 is published by the American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 1003.
ABCD Miscellaneous Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee, IBC Incident Business Committee	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.
License Plate Number Data Standard	ETC Equipment Technology Committee	Approved	The vehicle’s license plate number for purposes of identifying equipment.
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]
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]
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]
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.
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.
Local Fire Report Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for a number or code that uniquely identifies an incident report for a particular reporting unit and a particular calendar year. [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]
Fire Discovery Date & Time Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time a fire was discovered or confirmed to exist. [validated: 4/10/2008]
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]
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]
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]
Fire Initial Action Date & Time Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time that initial action was taken by the first resources to arrive at a fire. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Landowner Kind & Category Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a two-tier classification (kind and category) of landownership. [validated: 8/25/2016]
Initial Response Resource Quantity Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of fire resources (by kind, category, and type) used during initial response. [validated: 6/16/2008]
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]
Local Incident Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for a number or code that uniquely identifies an incident for a particular local fire management organization within a particular calendar year. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Initial Fire Strategy Designator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition of the fire strategy initially used on a wildland fire. [validated: 8/15/2008]
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 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]
Fire Size Class Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for classifying a fire into one of several ranges of fire size based on the number of acres within the final fire perimeter. [validated: 12/17/2012]
Fire Control Date & Time Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time a wildfire was declared under control. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Management Complexity Level Designator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard code and definition for identifying the highest management level utilized to manage a wildland fire event. [validated: 8/15/2008]
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 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 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]
Fire Reporting Agency Unit Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Unit Identifier data standard to identify the agency preparing a fire report. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Report Approver Name Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the name of the person that approved the fire report. [validated: 4/10/2008]
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]

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

Data Standard Title	Steward Sort descending	Status	Description
Fire Restrictions Polygon	CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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.
Fuels Treatments Polygon	CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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 Point	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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 Line (Dev)	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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 Locations Point	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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 Perimeters Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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 Event Point	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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.
Water Source	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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.
Initial Attack Frequency Zone Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	Polygons depicting areas in which FAA/DOI/USDA annually assign initial attack frequencies for incident needs.
Fire Danger Rating Areas	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee	In Development
Jurisdictional Unit Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	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."
Potential Operational Delineations Line	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee	Approved	This geospatial layer depicts linear potential control features that may form wildland fire potential operational delineation polygon boundaries.
Wildland Fire Dispatch Office Location Point	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved
Geographic Area Coordination Center Boundaries Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Geographic Area Coordination Centers
Wildland Fire Dispatch Area Boundaries Polygon	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Wildland fire Dispatch Areas
Aviation Obstruction Point	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	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	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Activity Point	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.
Aviation Activity Polygon	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.
Aviation Obstruction Polygon	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Resource Tracking Points	NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, ETC Equipment Technology Committee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	This geospatial layer displays the real-time location of wildland fire resources.
Predictive Services Area Boundaries Polygon	PSOG National Predictive Services Oversight Group, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	Geographic boundary polygons depicting the extent of the Predictive Services Area Boundary
Wildland Urban Interface Polygon	WUIMC Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	The wildland urban interface (WUI) geospatial data standard defines minimum attribution for interagency collaboration and data sharing.

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