The Data Management Program (DMP), oversees the authoritative geospatial reference data collectively known as the Wildland Fire National Boundary Layers (NBL) These layers include:
Jurisdictional Unit Services
National Boundary Layers
Public Feature Services
- National GACC Boundaries
- National Dispatch Boundaries
- National Dispatch Locations
- Predictive Service Area (PSA) Boundaries
- National IA Frequency Zone (Federal)
- National IA Frequency Zone (International)
Sync Services (NIFC AGOL login required)
- National GACC Boundaries
- National Dispatch Boundaries
- National Dispatch Locations
- Predictive Service Area (PSA) Boundaries
- National IA Frequency Zone (Federal)
- National IA Frequency Zone (International)
2025 National Boundary Layer change log
Edits and Feedback
To submit a comment/edit to the Jurisdictional Unit or any of the National Boundary layers, please complete this feedback form.
While the DMP edits the data, the data stewards initiating and approving the changes include:
- 1-2 representatives from each Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC).
- The National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Geospatial Subcommittee (GSC) includes at least 2 representatives, including the past and present editors of the focus GIS data layers.
- Telecommunications is represented by at least 2 persons, including the Communications Duty Officer (CDO).
- Applications invited included IRWIN (Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information), InFORM (Interagency Fire Occurrence Reporting Modules), WFDSS (Wildland Fire Decision Support System), EGP (Enterprise Geospatial Portal), and CFETS (Communication Frequencies & Equipment Tracking System).
The data stewards above comprise the National Boundary Working Group. While the National Boundary Working Group does not have a regular meeting cadence, the group will meet as required based on business needs.
| Area/Application | Name | Title | Authoritative Source for Edits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Ray Crowe | Center Manager | Yes | r5crowe@blm.gov |
| California (N Ops) | Laurie Forni Hackett | GACC Center Manager/liaison to CWCG (Calif Wildfire Coordination Group) | Yes | laurie.forni@usda.gov |
| California (S Ops) | Andrea Lannen-Littlefield | GACC Center Manager | Yes | andrew.lannen-littlefield@usda.gov |
| Eastern | Jennifer Parrish | Deputy GACC Manager | Yes | Jennifer.parrish@usda.gov |
| Great Basin | Gina Dingman | Center Manager | Yes | gina.dingman@usda.gov |
| Northern Rockies | Kate Holsapple | NRCC Center Manager | Yes | kate.l.holsapple@usda.gov |
| Northwest | Ted Pierce | Center Manager | Yes | ted.pierce@usda.gov |
| Rocky Mountain | Travis Hartsburg | Center Manager | Yes | travis.hartsburg@usda.gov |
| Southern | Calvin L Miller | Deputy Center Manager | Yes | calvin.miller@usda.gov |
| Southwest | Kenan Jaycox | Center Manager | Yes | kenan.jaycox@usda.gov |
| NICC | Sean Peterson | Center Manager | No | speterson@blm.gov |
| CFETS | Kimmy Albracht | CDO & business lead | Yes | kimberly.albracht@usda.gov |
| EGP | Cole Belongie | Business lead | No | cole.belongie@usda.gov |
| InFORM | Andy Kirsch | Project lead | No | Andy_Kirsch@nps.gov |
| IRWIN | Kara Stringer | Business Lead | No | kara_stringer@ios.doi.gov |
| Brandon Green | Project Manager | No | brandon_green@ios.doi.gov | |
| WFDSS | Susan McClendon | GIS Specialist, Wildland Fire Mgmt RD&A | No | Susan_Mcclendon@nps.gov |
| Other | Emmy Harbo | Current Editor (May 2025) | Yes, but must confirm with area rep | eharbo@ios.doi.gov; emmy@dhgeo.com |
2025 Schedule
The NBL follows an annual refresh schedule. The 2025 schedule is listed below:
September 15:
- Final date to submit: ALL changes for Initial Attack Frequency Zone data (federal and state).
- Final date to submit: ALL changes for Dispatch Boundary data where any one Dispatch area covers more than one Initial Attack Frequency Zone. Any other changes for Dispatch Boundary data also accepted.
- Final date to submit: ALL changes for GACC Boundary data where a GACC area crosses an Initial Attack Frequency Zone or a Dispatch area. Any other changes for GACC Boundary data also accepted.
October 15:
- Editor completes ALL updates received to the Initial Attack Frequency Zone (Federal and State) data layers and gives them to Telecommunication/NIICD.
- Editor completes ALL updates received to Dispatch Boundary data and GACC Boundary data for use by Telecommunication/NIICD in finalizing their annual data submittal for frequency assignment. No updates to NIFC Open Data site (https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com) until January of following year.
October 31 (exact date):
- Telecommunications/NIICD provides all data to FAA and DOI/USDA frequency managers for approvals and any required engineering.
January 15 (no later than):
- Editor posts new year Initial Attack Frequency Zone (Federal and State), Dispatch Boundary, and GACC Boundary data to NIFC Open Data site (https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/).
February 28 (exact date):
- Frequencies released from FAA and DOI/USDA frequency managers with approvals and changes.
April 1:
- Final date to submit: Remaining changes for Dispatch Boundary or GACC Boundary data. Changes impacting any Initial Attack Frequency Zones will NOT be processed (unless directed by the CDO – Communications Duty Officer) until next edit cycle in September.
April 15:
- Frequency maps available to field & posted to ftp.nifc.gov .
- Final Dispatch Boundary or GACC Boundary data uploaded to NIFC Open Data site (https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com).
- Applications such as IRWIN, InFORM, WFDSS, EGP, CADs, etc., complete annual data update if needed.
Questions
For questions contact Emmy Harbo Wildland Fire Data Management Support (Contractor)
