Wildfire Editor

The Wildfire Editor is a comprehensive emergency response mapping system designed for wildfire incident management and operational support. This specialized tool integrates ArcGIS SketchViewModel technology with professional wildfire response workflows, providing advanced mapping capabilities with industry-standard emergency symbols, real-time incident documentation, and intelligent layer management optimized for emergency response operations, incident command support, and wildfire management activities.

Quick Start Guide

Opening the Wildfire Editor:

1. Click the Unified Editor icon (pencil) in the right toolbar
2. Select Wildfire mode from the mode selector dropdown
3. Enter or select a wildfire name to begin mapping

Essential Actions:

• Name Selection: Choose from existing wildfire names or create new ones
• Feature Drawing: Create points, lines, and polygons with specialized wildfire symbols
• Multiple Mode: Enable continuous drawing for rapid feature creation
• Advanced Operations: Access geometric operations through the integrated advanced editor

Key Features

Wildfire Name Management

Set up unique identifiers for wildfire incidents and operations. The name selection system allows you to:

• Choose from existing wildfire names in the dropdown
• Type new wildfire names directly
• Maintain consistent naming across mapping sessions

Specialized Wildfire Symbology

The editor uses industry-standard symbols for wildfire mapping, organized by feature type:

Point Features:

• Assembly Area
• Refuge Area
• Helipad
• Water Point
• Dangerous Tree
• Road Closure
• Escape Route Point
• Fire Origin
• Hot Spot
• Spot Fire
• Sector Boundary
• Threatened Asset
• Indigenous Site
• Historic Site

Line Features:

• Active Fire Edge
• Predicted Fire Edge
• Fire Boundary (not active)
• Control Line - Proposed
• Control Line - Complete
• Back Burn - Proposed
• Back Burn - Complete
• Machine Cut Track
• Escape Route Line
• Text Line

Polygon Features:

• Burnt Area (Current incident)
• Burnt Area (Previously)

Geometry Type Selection

Switch between different feature types based on mapping needs:

• Points: For specific locations and infrastructure
• Lines: For boundaries, routes, and linear features
• Polygons: For areas and zones

Multiple Mode Drawing

Enable continuous drawing functionality to create multiple features of the same type without repeatedly clicking the draw button. This mode is particularly useful for:

• Mapping multiple hotspots or threatened assets
• Creating extensive control lines
• Documenting large burnt areas

Point Angle Control

For point features that require directional orientation, specify angles from 0-359 degrees. This is essential for:

• Directional symbols
• Equipment orientation
• Access route indicators

Layer Management

Automatic Layer Creation

Wildfire layers are created automatically when you:

• Select a wildfire name from the dropdown
• Type a new wildfire name
• Begin drawing features

The system creates three data layers:

• Wildfire Points
• Wildfire Lines
• Wildfire Polygons

Graphics Layer Organization

Temporary graphics appear on top of data layers during editing, organized into:

• Target graphics (current drawing/editing)
• Reference graphics (for spatial operations)
• Advanced editor graphics (for geometric operations)

Drawing and Editing Features

Style Selection

Choose appropriate symbols before drawing by clicking style buttons. Each geometry type has its own style palette with visual icons representing different wildfire features.

Drawing Process

1. Select Style: Click the appropriate style button for your feature type
2. Start Drawing: Click the draw button for your geometry type
3. Create Feature: Click on the map to place points, or click and drag for lines and polygons
4. Complete Feature: Double-click to finish lines and polygons

Multiple Feature Creation

With Multiple Mode enabled:

• Draw multiple features without deactivating the drawing tool
• Maintain the same style across multiple features
• Quickly document extensive wildfire areas

Feature Selection and Editing

• Select: Use the select tool to choose existing features for modification
• Edit: Reshape feature geometry using the edit tool
• Delete: Remove selected features from the map and database

Advanced Geometric Operations

The integrated Advanced Editor provides sophisticated geometric tools:

Buffer Operations

Create buffer zones around features for:

• Safety perimeters around dangerous areas
• Access restrictions zones
• Equipment placement areas

Union Operations

Combine multiple features into single entities:

• Merge overlapping burnt areas
• Consolidate control line segments
• Combine related infrastructure points

Intersection Analysis

Find overlapping areas between features:

• Identify areas where multiple hazards overlap
• Analyze control line effectiveness
• Assess resource accessibility

Difference Operations

Remove one area from another:

• Subtract protected areas from operational zones
• Create exclusion zones within larger areas
• Define specific access corridors

Data Management

Saving Features

All wildfire features include:

• Unique object identifiers
• Wildfire name associations
• Feature type classifications
• Optional display labels
• User attribution
• Timestamp information

Display Labels

Add descriptive text to features for:

• Identification purposes
• Status updates
• Operational notes
• Resource specifications

Layer Refresh

The system automatically refreshes data layers when:

• New features are saved
• Existing features are modified
• Features are deleted
• Advanced operations are completed

Integration with Other Tools

Layer Panel Coordination

Wildfire layers appear in the main layer panel with full functionality:

• Visibility control
• Transparency adjustment
• Legend display
• Layer information access

Print and Export Compatibility

Wildfire features are included in:

• Map printing operations
• Data export functions
• Report generation
• Analysis workflows

Performance Optimization

Efficient Drawing

• Use Multiple Mode for bulk feature creation
• Group related features by type
• Apply consistent styling within incidents

Layer Management Steps

• Remove unused wildfire graphics when switching incidents
• Keep data layers active for reference
• Use appropriate zoom levels for detail work

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Solution
Cannot draw features	Ensure wildfire name is entered and style is selected
Features not saving	Check network connectivity and layer permissions
Symbols not displaying	Verify style selection and layer visibility
Advanced editor disabled	Confirm wildfire name is set before accessing advanced tools
Multiple mode not working	Check that drawing tool is active before enabling toggle
Point angle not applying	Ensure angle is between 0-359 degrees
Layer not appearing	Verify wildfire name is properly set and layers are visible
Drawing tools not activating	Check that unknown styles are not selected

Best Practices

Incident Documentation

• Use consistent naming conventions for wildfire incidents
• Apply appropriate symbols for each feature type
• Include descriptive labels for operational clarity
• Document features in logical sequence

Data Quality

• Verify feature placement accuracy
• Use appropriate geometry types for each feature
• Apply correct symbology standards
• Include relevant attribute information

Operational Efficiency

• Plan feature creation workflow before drawing
• Use Multiple Mode for similar feature types
• Group related operations together
• Save work frequently during large mapping sessions

Collaboration

• Follow organizational naming standards
• Use standardized symbols consistently
• Include clear labels for team communication
• Maintain data currency for operational use

The Wildfire Editor provides essential tools for emergency response mapping, combining specialized symbology with advanced geometric operations to support comprehensive wildfire incident documentation and management.