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Data Management - National Boundary Datasets

The Data Management Program (DMP), oversees the authoritative geospatial reference data collectively known as the Wildland Fire National Boundary Layers (NBL) These layers include:

National Boundary Layers

Public Feature Services

Sync Services (NIFC AGOL login required)

2026 April - change log

2026 January - change log

2026 January Jurisdictional Unit - change log

2025 June - change log

2025 January - change log

 

Edits and Feedback

To submit a comment/edit to 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/ApplicationNameTitleAuthoritative Source for EditsEmail
AlaskaRay CroweCenter ManagerYesr5crowe@blm.gov
California (N Ops)Laurie Forni HackettGACC Center ManagerYeslaurie.forni@usda.gov
California (S Ops)Andrea Lannen-LittlefieldGACC Center ManagerYesandrea.lannen-littlefield@usda.gov
EasternJennifer ParrishGACC ManagerYesJennifer.parrish@usda.gov
Great Basin

Kara Stringer

Shauna McIntosh-Harris

Acting Center Manager

Deputy Center Manager

Yes

kara_stringer@ios.doi.gov

Shauna.McIntoshHarris@usda.gov

Northern RockiesKate HolsappleNRCC Center ManagerYeskate.l.holsapple@usda.gov
NorthwestTed PierceCenter ManagerYestpierce@blm.gov
Rocky MountainTravis HartsburgCenter ManagerYestravis.hartsburg@usda.gov
SouthernCalvin L MillerDeputy Center ManagerYescalvin.miller@usda.gov
SouthwestKenan JaycoxCenter ManagerYeskenan.jaycox@usda.gov
NICCSean PetersonCenter ManagerNospeterson@blm.gov
CFETS

Kimmy Albracht

Bryan Stamps

CDO & business lead

Deputy CDO

Yes

kimberly.albracht@usda.gov

bstamps@blm.gov

EGPCole BelongieBusiness leadNocole.belongie@usda.gov
InFORMJulie OsterkampProject leadNojosterkamp@blm.gov
IRWINKara StringerBusiness LeadNokara_stringer@ios.doi.gov
Brandon GreenProject Manager Nobrandon_green@ios.doi.gov
WFDSSAmanda RumseyGIS Specialist, Wildland Fire Mgmt RD&ANoamanda_rumsey@nps.gov
OtherEmmy HarboCurrent Editor (May 2025)Yes, but must confirm with area repeharbo@ios.doi.gov; emmy@dhgeo.com

 

National Boundary Layer Update Schedule Calendar Year 2026:

January 15: DMP Publishes National Boundary Layers

  • DMP Publishes the new Initial Attack Frequency Zone (IAFZ) data and all other boundary layer updates to AGOL.

February 28: Frequencies Released

  • Frequencies released from FAA and DOI/USDA frequency managers with approvals and changes

April 1: Change Requests Due to DMP

  • Final date to submit Spring changes for NBL data.
  • Changes impacting any IAFZ will not be processed (unless directed by Communications Duty Officer) until next edit cycle in September.

April 15: DMP Spring Publish

  • NBLs Published to AGOL.
  • Frequency maps available to field & posted to NIICD FireNet SharePoint site
  • Applications such as IRWIN, InFORM, WFDSS, EGP, CADs, etc., complete annual data update if needed.

September 30: IAFZ & Related Change Requests Due to DMP

Final date to submit:

  • Changes for Initial Attack Frequency Zone data.
  • Changes for Dispatch Boundary data where any one dispatch area covers more than one IAFZ.
  • Changes for GACC Boundary data where a GACC area crosses an IAFZ or a Dispatch area.
  • Changes to any other NBL layers also accepted.

October 15: IAFZ Changes Completed

  • DMP makes all updates to IAFZ and passes them to Telecommunication/NIICD.
  • DMP finalizes all updates 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 until January 15.

October 31: Frequency Submittal

  • Telecommunications/NIICD provides all data to FAA and DOI/USDA frequency managers for approvals and any required engineering.
     

 

Questions

For questions contact Emmy Harbo Wildland Fire Data Management Support (Contractor)