Information Technology

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service uses modern information technology to gather, analyze, and share critical wildland fire information and enable wildland fire personnel to respond to wildfires, implement prevention projects, and helped burned areas recover. 

We work in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to develop and maintain technological solutions that serve the entire wildland fire community. 

From incident tracking to resource ordering and from fuel management planning to firefighter qualification management, integrated technology systems support informed decision-making and seamless logistics across all phases of wildland fire management. 

The rapidly advancing capabilities of tools like satellites, artificial intelligence, and remote sensors are changing the way we manage wildland fires. We can now detect fires much faster than ever before. Collective data systems help firefighters see what’s happening in real time so they can make better decisions. Cloud-based systems ensure the right people and equipment go to the right place at the right time. Computer models predict how a fire might spread so firefighting crews can plan effective suppression operations. 

This array of quickly advancing technology works together to give wildland fire personnel critical up-to-the-minute information so they can respond faster and more effectively to protect lives and property, reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires, and speed recovery. 

Our Approach 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service takes a holistic, interagency approach to wildland fire information systems. Rather than developing separate applications for individual agencies or firefighting functions, we collaborate with federal, tribal, state, and local partners to create integrated solutions that work across organization boundaries to achieve coordinated, seamless wildfire prevention, response, and recovery across the nation. 

Working closely with the USDA Forest Service and other partners, we establish investment priorities, oversee system development and maintenance, and ensure the needs of wildland fire personnel are met regardless of their agency or location. 

Why Interoperability Matters 

In the past, wildland fire technology was fragmented between different agencies and often focused on narrow, specialized tasks. This led to a proliferation of disconnected systems that could not communicate with one another, forcing dispatchers and fire managers to manually enter the same information into multipole applications. A single data entry error could mislocate a fire in a different county or state. Incompatible data formats further complicated information sharing during emergency response. 

Integrated technology systems that are accessible to federal, state, and local firefighting organizations address these challenges by: 

• Eliminating redundant data entry across multiple platforms.
• Improving data accuracy and consistency.
• Enabling real-time information sharing across jurisdictions.
• Supporting faster, better-informed decision-making.
• Reducing IT development and maintenance staff time and costs.
• Providing consistent tools to the entire wildland fire community. 

Key Technology Systems 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service oversees an incredible range of applications related to wildland fire. These applications serve purposes like warehouse inventory control, planning for prescribed fires, dispatch, managing/sharing incident information, tracking firefighter qualifications, and more. The list below includes the major applications currently in use or in development. 

Fire Environment Mapping System (FEMS)

FEMS supports wildland fire preparedness and decision-making by providing access to fire environment datasets and online analysis tools.  

Fire Modeling Services Framework (FMSF) 

FMSF is an application programming interface (API) for machine-to-machine and system-to-system connections provides wildland fire models and tools for use within wildland fire applications, such as the Interagency Fuel Treatment Decisions Support System and Wildland Fire Decision Support System. The API provides tools related to fire behavior flame lengths, rates of spread, fire progression, and more. This program provides users with improved performance, consistent data, and faster analysis. In addition, it reduces IT development and maintenance needs by hosting the tools in a central location instead of maintaining a separate version within each system. 

FireNet 

FireNet is an interagency communication and collaboration environment that can be used by federal and non-federal operators across the spectrum of wildland fire operations. 

Interagency Fire Occurrence Reporting Modules (InFORM) 

InFORM provides a single, nationwide system of record for both federal and state agencies to report wildfires. InFORM eliminates redundant data entry, improves the quality and completeness of fire data, and makes it easier to access. 

Interagency Fuel Treatment Decisions Support System (IFTDSS)

IFTDSS makes fuel treatment analysis and management more efficient through the integration of fire models using the adaptive management cycle. 

Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) 

IROC enables fire managers to request fire personnel and equipment and track where they’re located. This cloud-based system provides a high level of integration with other major applications for interagency dispatch center operations. 

Integrated Reporting of Wildland Fire Information (IRWIN) 

IRWIN facilitates the exchange of data between many existing wildland fire applications, reducing redundant data entry and improving data consistency, accuracy, and availability. It assists with decision making by allowing fire managers to see resource commitment levels across agency boundaries. 

Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools Project (LANDFIRE) 

LANDFIRE provides agency leaders, managers and operators with a common all-lands dataset of vegetation and wildland fire information to facilitate landscape assessments and resource management planning and analysis. 

National Fire Plan Operations and Reporting System (NFPORS) 

NFPORS allows fire managers to plan, track, and report fuel treatments and other activities across the country. 

WildCAD 

WildCAD is a computer-aided dispatch system used by wildland fire agencies across the country streamlines the process of ordering firefighters and equipment for wildfire response operations. 

Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) 

WFDSS helps fire managers make and record key wildfire management decisions by providing critical data about an area, fire modeling tools, and risk analysis. 

Wildland Fire Learning Portal 

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is a centralized platform that supports the education and training needs of the entire wildland fire community. 

Emerging Technology

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service continually evaluates and tests new technologies to improve wildland fire management.

Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is evaluating options to improve data management, fire modeling, resource deployment, and identification of high-risk areas through machine learning algorithms. These tools can analyze vast amounts of historical and real-time data to support strategic planning and tactical decision-making.

Remote Connectivity Solutions 

Lack of wireless service in remote locations creates challenges for fire managers trying to gather and share timely information about wildfires and personnel. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is testing options for remote connectivity using FirstNet. FirstNet is an independent authority authorized by Congress in 2012 to develop, build, and operate a nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety.