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Incident Action Plan (IAP) Map

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.

  1. 2022 Dodge Springs Fire
  2. 2010 Wrangler Fire
  3. 2015 Sucker Creek Fire
  4. 2016 Buffalo Fire (a non-suppression fire)
  5. 2017 Sunrise Fire (Multi-Page IAP)
  6. 2016 Beaver Creek Fire (Multi-Page IAP)
  7. 2017 Burro Fire (Multi-Page IAP)

 

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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