Skip to main content

Strategic Operations Map

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, Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination Group (GEOMAC), 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 “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.
  • 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.

Data Source Recommendations
Incident perimeter and Contained/Uncontained lines National Incident Feature Service Use standard dataset and symbology.
ICS line such as Planned and Completed Lines, Repair Line National Incident Feature Service Use standard dataset and symbology.
ICS point features such as Camp, Dip Site, Drop Point, Helispot, Lookout, Mobile Retardant Base, Mobile Weather Unit, Repeater, Restricted Water Source, Safety Hazards, Staging Area, Structure Wrap, Water Source, Values at Risk National Incident Feature Service Use standard dataset and symbology.
Division and branch breaks and labels National Incident Feature Service Use standard dataset and symbology.

Values at Risk

 No single source dataset currently exists. WFDSS Management Requirement Shapes and Other Shapes may be downloaded from WFDSS Classic or acquired direct from jurisdictional agency(s). Values may be represented in other agency, local, state, and national datasets. Point data may be added to National Incident Feature Service / Event Point layer. Use existing datasets authoritative to jurisdictional agency(s) where possible. Symbolize based on cartographic need of the map.
Management Action Points
NWCG definition is specific to Prescribed Fire		 WFDSS, GISS adds to National Incident Feature Service Include associated language (Condition, Action, Resources) from WFDSS 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 Use the Strategic Line Type attribute field of the Event Line layer to indicate if the line is considered one of the following:
  • 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.
  • Once a selection is made on the Strategic Line Type attribute field, the Strategic Operations service will display a halo under the Event Line with the color scheme above.
Evacuation Planning Areas Local 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 History WFIGS Use 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 History WFMRDA Use 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 glossary for definition

 WFDSS Use WFDSS Classic shapefile output. Symbolize based on WFDSS palette (R: 194, G: 23, B: 199).

Short-Term Fire Behavior (STFB) model including Minimum Travel Time (MTT) lines
Near-Term Fire Behavior (NTFB) model
Fire Spread Probability (FSPro) model
See WFDSS glossary for definitions

 WFDSS; generated by analysts. Use WFDSS Classic shapefile outputs. Symbolize based on WFDSS palettes.

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 status

 WFMRDA Use standard dataset and symbology.

Appropriate base map, such as topography or orthoimagery

 Varies  

Other SITL-requested data

 Varies  

Examples

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

  1. 2023 Black Feather
  2. 2023 Smith River Complex South
  3. 2023 Colt
  4. 2023 River Road East

Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form