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Gather Incident Information

Most incident information will be readily available on your Resource Order. The main attribute that you will need that may not be readily available is the IRWIN ID. 

IRWIN stands for Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information. It was created to be a central repository for basic fire information to reduce redundant data entry and improve the consistency of information.

The IRWIN ID is a required attribute for every feature created in the NIFS. The IRWIN ID is used to tie each feature to its parent incident. For Event Polygon features, the IRWIN ID is used to join the perimeter with the incident information to create the publicly available perimeter data.

The IRWIN ID is a Global Unique Identifier (GUID). A GUID has 32 randomly generated characters that will look something like this: {5BFC1A52-D8A9-4BFF-AB98-225D7B4BA4A1}

After locating the IRWIN ID through one of the methods outlined below, best practice is to add it to the GeoOps File Namer spreadsheet in the \tools folder of the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

When in doubt, always check with the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) for confirmation of any ID.

Auto-Generated Triangles in the National Incident Feature Service

For each new IRWIN wildfire record, a triangle is automatically generated at the reported Lat/Long with the reported acreage in Event Polygon.

The triangle will have the IRWIN ID populated so the geometry can be easily replaced with the first accurate perimeter.

An auto-generated triangle in the Event Polygon layer with the attribute pop up showing the highlighted IRWIN ID. 

IRWIN ID in ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

Log into the NIFC ArcGIS Online Organization and use the IRWIN ID Search App to search by incident name or zoom manually to each active incident. Clicking on a point will display the IRWIN ID in the pop-up.

Highlighting the Search Function of the Current Wildland Fires (IRWIN) App in ArcGIS Online.

Incident Information on Resource Order

Incident Name

Found in box 2. Fairly straightforward, this is the name of the incident – Peak 2 in this example.

This is the name you would use for the IncidentName attribute.

Unique Fire ID

Found in box 3. The first half of the Unique Fire ID is the Unit ID for the agency responsible for the incident. In this example CO-WRF, Colorado White River National Forest. The second half is the Local Incident ID, in this case, 000236.

Best practice is to add the Unit ID and Local Incident IDs to the GeoOps File Namer spreadsheet in the \tools folder of the GeoOps Incident Directory Structure.

Resource Order with the Incident Name and Local Incident ID highlighted.

Incident Action Plan (IAP)

If you have already arrived at the Incident Command Post (ICP) and the incident is beyond the first operational period, much of the information you will need will be available in the IAP.

At a minimum, the Incident Name and Number will be on most Incident Command System (ICS) forms.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page