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Incident Action Plan (IAP) Map

NWCG Committee Realignment Website Updates: Content will continue to be updated over the coming days as we work through final reviews and adjustments, and all publications and products are currently under revision.

Note: The Situation Map has been deprecated as a map standard. The Operations map should be used as an acceptable substitute for task book purposes.

Product Description

The Incident Action Plan (IAP) map is the primary map used by field operations personnel and it is an essential tool for firefighter safety. The IAP map effectively communicates incident management objectives in addition to geographic and incident features.

The IAP map is used by operations staff to display field assignments, crew instructions, and division safety concerns at operational briefings and breakout meetings. IAP maps are typically at 1:24,000 scale and either printed small enough to be carried into the field or produced digitally for use on a mobile device. An incident may fit on one page or tiled across multiple pages (Multi-Page IAP Map).

The IAP map is a component of the Incident Action Plan.

Target Audience

Incident field personnel.

Guidelines

Apply for digital or hard copy maps.

  • Standard Incident Command System (ICS) symbology.
  • Letter (8½” x 11”) or tabloid (11”x 17”) size.
  • Mapped area should cover the incident area and predicted spread.
  • Generally 1:24,000 scale; 1:63,360 scale in Alaska (Situation Unit Leader (SITL) may direct other scales).

Standard Elements

All map products produced should include the STANDL-SGD cartographic elements and an index page for multi-page products.

Data

  • Wildfire Daily Fire Perimeter (Polygon) with Contained and Uncontained Perimeter Lines.
  • Event Lines (including, but not limited to: Planned and Completed lines, Access Routes, Escape Routes).
  • Event Points (including, but not limited to: Camps, Dip Sites, Draft Sites, Drop Points, Hazards, Helispots, Helibase, Incident Command Post, and Safety Zones).
  • Assignment (Division, Branch, Zone) breaks and labels.
  • Land Ownership / Jurisdiction.
  • Special Management Areas (including, but not limited to: Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, Inventoried Roadless Areas).
  • Structures.
  • Utilities (including, but not limited to: Powerlines, Substations, Pipelines).
  • Topographic Base.
  • Other Situation Unit Leader (SITL)-requested data. 

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.

Single Page

Multi-Page

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center