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Strategic Operations Map

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 Strategic Operations Map effectively displays an Incident Management Team’s (IMT) long-term strategy in managing an incident, and the data that informs the strategy. It consists of one or more large-format maps with an accurate, current, and detailed record of incident information across the entire planning area.

Target Audience

Incident Commander, all IMT staff, Agency Representatives, Resource Advisors, all Operations and Line personnel, Aerial resources, National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC).

Guidelines

  • Standard Incident Command System (ICS) symbology discernible from the back of a meeting area.
  • Printed in color to enable clear depiction of incident and map features.
  • Size varies but usually Arch D (22” x 34”) size or larger.
  • Scale varies based on planning area and map size.
  • May be one map for the entire incident or multiple maps.
  • Distribution is limited to the target audience; not posted to ftp.wildfire.gov without password protection..
  • Include disclaimer “Not for Public Distribution”.
  • Georeferenced.

Standard Elements

All map products produced should include the STANDL-SGD cartographic elements.

Data

Disclaimer: NWCG Data Standards do not currently exist for all data recommended for inclusion on a Strategic Operations Map. Not all datasets listed may be needed for every incident.

DataSourceRecommendations
Wildfire Daily Fire Perimeter (Polygon) and Contained/Uncontained linesNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Event Lines such as Proposed, Planned and Completed LinesNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Event Points features such as Camp, Drop Point, Helispot, Lookout, Mobile Retardant Base, Mobile Weather Unit, Repeater, Restricted Water Source, Safety Hazards, Staging Area, Water Sources, Values at RiskNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Division and branch breaks and labelsNational Incident Feature ServiceUse standard dataset and symbology.
Critical Values at RiskISAP Critical Values at Risk ServiceUse Critical Values at Risk determined through the Incident Strategic Alignment Process
Management Action Points 
NWCG definition is specific to Prescribed Fire		National Incident Feature ServiceInclude associated language (Condition, Action, Resources) in Comments field and on map layout.
Strategic Lines 
Proposed, planned, under construction and/or completed line that outline the overall strategy for achieving an incident’s defined goals. The tactical steps for implementation and/or exact locations of line placement may or may not fully be identified.		National Incident Feature Service
  • Primary Strategic Line – the current plan being implemented to meet incident objectives.
  • Secondary Strategic Line – an alternate or contingency line that, based on current conditions, will be implemented or is already being constructed.
  • Proposed Strategic Line – an alternate or contingency line that has been identified but is not currently being implemented. This may be because it still needs to be scouted or current conditions on the incident do not require the construction of this line.
Evacuation Planning AreasLocal Jurisdictional Agency(s)Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. If GISS is tasked with creating data on-incident, symbolize based on the local jurisdiction's direction.
Fire HistoryWFIGSUse standard dataset. Supplement with existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where there are data gaps. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Fuels Treatment HistoryWFMRDAUse standard dataset. Supplement with existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where there are data gaps. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Planning Area
See WFDSS information here: Planning Area		WFDSSUse WFDSS output. Symbolize based on WFDSS palette (R: 194, G: 23, B: 199).
Short-Term Fire Behavior (STFB) model/Minimum Travel Time (MTT)
Near-Term Fire Behavior (NTFB) model/FARSITE
Fire Spread Probability (FSPro) model
See WFDSS information here: MTT (Short Term), FARSITE (Near Term), FSPro (Fire Spread Probability)		Generated by analysts.Symbolize according to analyst direction.
Limited Action Line
Portion of the fire perimeter that is inactive and/or poses little to no threat of impacts to identified values, therefore limited to no action is being proposed or implemented.		Determined by Operations. Store data in the Limited Action Line feature class in the Other Incident Data geodatabase in the GeoOps incident directory.
  • Copy the portion of the Perimeter Line to the Limited Action Line feature class
  • Repair path of the Limited Action Line lyrx to the Limited Action Line feature class
  • The Limited Action Line symbol will display offset from the perimeter automatically
Special Interest Management Areas
Areas in which there are management or use restrictions in place.		No single source dataset currently exists.Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. For example, EDW/EDW_SpecialInterestManagementArea_01 (MapServer) (usda.gov).
Administrative boundaries, political boundaries (city (subdivisions)-county, state, national)Local Jurisdictional Agency(s), PADUS, CENSUS 
Ownership–land statusWildland Fire Data Management Program (DMP) Use standard dataset and symbology.
Appropriate base map, such as topography or orthoimageryVaries 
Other SITL-requested dataVaries 

Examples

These are examples from actual incidents and may include elements that differ from this guide. 

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2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

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

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
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  • Crew Representative (CREP)
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Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1