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Review and Export Layout


Refer to the Map Elements page of GeoOps and review your layout to ensure that all required elements (STANDL SGD) are present and correct.

Export the layout from the Share tab on the ribbon > Export Layout button. Export settings may vary depending on the plotter and driver used. Ensure export of georeference information and font embedding are good practice.

Review the exported layout to ensure it appears as intended, i.e., all fonts display correctly, assignment breaks and labels appear, labels do not overlap, there are no data selections in the map, etc.

If needed, reduce or optimize the size of the exported PDF. This can be done in Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit PDF, or with several free online tools. The smaller the file size of the PDF, the faster uploads to and downloads from FTP and/or SharePoint will be for both GISS and firefighters using the products in the Avenza Maps application.

Additional Considerations for Digital-Only Geospatial PDFs

All PDFs exported from ArcGIS are geo-enabled (unless default settings have been modified) and can be used in any software that works with 'GeoPDFs.'

However, creating a Geospatial PDF designed specifically for digital use in an application like Avenza Maps follows a different workflow than creating a traditional paper map since it is not constrained by paper sizes. The Geospatial PDF should be designed with the user's area of interest and map scale in mind first with the "page" size determined second.

Operational needs will dictate the type of Geospatial PDF to be created. Once that determination is made, decide on the base map that best suits that type of map. For example, an IAP map will require topography, while transportation will need a roads layer. Aerial imagery can also be very beneficial for some maps. In some cases, the background on the topographic map can be made transparent and the topo can be displayed on top of aerial imagery.

The appropriate map scale for use on a mobile device also needs to be determined. Typical topo maps should be at 1:24k; aerial imagery may be 1:8k-12k; and a travel map may be 1:50k-100k.

Focus on the map scale the end-user needs to do their job. Since a PDF is a single static image, not a tile cache like a web map, there will be no additional information when a user "zooms in," only what's already there but bigger. This is why the scale is important, if the features, and labels are all sized for 8k, but the map needs to be used at 24k, everything will be far too small.

The last consideration is the “page size.” Since the map is designed for digital use only and not being printed, it does not need to adhere to a standard size. Rather than the paper size, the “page size” is determined by the area of interest and ArcMap/Pro allows you to set a custom page size to cover the area that you need. There is a trade-off between page size, scale, and output file size, so be sure to keep that in mind during this process. The PDF file should be compressed/optimized for easier distribution before being loaded onto devices for use on the fireline.

The map must still have all the standard map elements (STANDL SGD), however, a few modifications are useful. The title, legend, etc. need to be legible, but they don’t have to be large enough to read at a 1:1 scale. Additionally, the amount of white space around the borders can be minimized since there is no risk of a printer cutting it off.

After exporting a map designed primarily for digital consumption, it’s best practice to test the map in the application in which it will be used.

Job Aids

 

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505