Spatial Fire Planning

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Spatial Fire Planning provides an intuitive and robust method of developing, storing and delivering Land, Resource and Fire Management plan direction in a spatial platform. The visual depiction of these data allows for greater data control because data managers can upload, manage, and associate shapes to represent their unit’s planning direction, and make changes as needed throughout the year. Spatial Fire Planning data is used in IFTDSS to provide direction and intent for strategic planning and decision-making.

Advances in technology, especially the adoption of the ArcGIS Online (AGOL) platform by federal agencies involved in wildland fire management, have opened up opportunities to make a major shift in how Fire Planning Data are stored, managed, and used. This shift has major advantages in terms of efficiency, data usability, and maintenance.

After discussions with WFDSS users, fire planning subject matter experts, and geospatial data subject matter experts, the WFM RD&A, and National Wildfire Coordinating Group Interagency Fire Planning Committee (IFPC), and NWCG Geospatial Subcommittee (GSC) propose that a data service for fire planning shapes and language will be established in the NIFC ArcGIS Online Organization. Processes such as entering and managing fire planning language, which is currently done through the Data Management tab in WFDSS, will be supported instead by an ArcGIS Online Web Application. Agency fire planning and geospatial personnel will own and manage the fire planning language and data in these services, and WFDSS will consume the data needed for wildland fire decision support from the services hosted in ArcGIS Online. The WFM RD&A and WFDSS NextGen contractor will provide technical support for the operation of the ArcGIS online data services and web application.

Advantages include:

Simpler Access

Fire planners and GIS personnel will not need a WFDSS login/password in order to create or update fire planning shapes and language.

Less O&M

The WFDSS application will not need to develop and maintain a module, leading to more rapid development of core decision support capability and reduced maintenance cost over time.

Improved Data Accessibility

Fire planning shapes and language within the AGOL web application will be accessible to users outside of WFDSS, including those who need to view fire planning information in mobile applications, Story Maps, Spatial Fire Management Plans, in wildland fire applications such as Interagency Fuel Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS), and in desktop GIS software.

Direct User Access to Language and Data

The WFM RD&A will not be “between” users and their data, allowing users to make changes more quickly following shifts in land and resource management plan direction, or agency policy.

Simpler Data Processing

GIS personnel will be able to manage the geospatial components of fire planning data using standard desktop software, which is much more powerful than the tools available through web editing.

Better Governance Options

It could be advantageous to have governance and/or maintenance of the data services and tools assumed by an interagency body other than the WFM RD&A and the WFDSS contractor, such as the NWCG GSC or a Wildland Fire Information and Technology (WFIT) effort like the Data Management Program. Separating the data services and app out from WFDSS makes this much easier to do than if the data services and tools were embedded within WFDSS.

Improved Consistency

The approach to managing fire planning data and shapes will be consistent across all types of fire planning shapes. There will be fewer limitations on complex shapes, since the ArcGIS Online platform uses newer technology than the current generation of WFDSS, and gets regular updates to stay up to date with advances in technology.

Maximum Flexibility

Agencies have differing levels of GIS staffing, skills, and capabilities for managing data. In some cases they have made different investments in software and tools. Separating the data services from the application allows agencies flexibility, and doesn’t force agencies or units to adopt specific technologies or approaches. Both a web application or GIS software (such as ArcGIS Pro) can be used for managing data.

For more information on the Spatial Fire Planning Service and the process, at large see the SFP Story Map.

The Spatial Fire Planning Service web application to be used to visualize, edit and review Spatial Fire Planning shapes and language is currently in development - Stay tuned!

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