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Air Operations Map

Product Description

The Air Operations Map provides air operations with enough detail to aid in locating key features on an incident.  A secondary Air Operations map, the Pilot Map, may be created for pilots.

Target Audience

Air Operations Branch, pilots 

Guidelines

  • Standard Incident Command System (ICS) symbology.
  • Simplified base map without elevation contours to enable air navigation.
  • A table that includes the latitude and longitude coordinates in Degrees, Decimal Minutes for relevant point features.
  • Pilot map is typically for easy lap reading in the aircraft.
  • Air Operations map is typically an Arch E (36” x 48”); Pilot map is typically Tabloid (11” x 17”) size.

Standard Elements

All map products produced should include the STANDL-SGD cartographic elements.  Scale bar must be in nautical miles rather than statute miles.

Data

  • Wildfire Daily Fire Perimeter (Polygon) with Contained and Uncontained Perimeter Lines.
  • Limited / relevant Event Lines (including, but not limited to: Aviation Route, Aerial Hazard such as Transmission Lines, Completed lines, Temporary Flight Restriction).
  • Limited / relevant Event Points (including, but not limited to: Aerial Hazard, Airstrip or Airport, Aviation Check Point, Dip Site, Helibase, Helispot, Incident Command Post, Mobile Retardant Base, Repeater, Restricted Water Source, Sling Site, UAS Launch and Recovery, and Unimproved Landing Area).
  • Assignment (Division, Branch, Zone) breaks and labels.
  • Mountain peaks with elevation labels.
  • Major Roads and key landmarks.
  • Hydrography (e.g., rivers, lakes).
  • Elevation shaded relief.
  • Other Situation Unit Leader (SITL)-requested data such as Drop Points or Federal Aviation Administration sectionals. 

Examples

These are examples from actual incidents and may include non-standard elements.

Also note that examples use the standard symbols at the time of their creation and may not reflect the current GeoOps symbology. Map elements, incident features, and composition remain consistent across these visual changes.

  1. Air Operations Map - Cedar Creek and Cub Creek 2
  2. Air Operation Map - Delta Lake
  3. Air Operations Map - 2010 Wrangler Fire
  4. Pilot Map - 2023 Flying V
  5. Pilot Map - 2016 Beaver Creek Fire
  6. Pilot Map - 2017 Pinal Fire
  7. Air Operations Map - 2015 National Creek Complex

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

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

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2