Station Maps Overview

The moderators and staff here at Wildlandfire.com are pleased to unveil a project we've spent the Winter working on. The project is a series of maps using Google Earth or Google Maps to view locations and information on wildland fire stations and resources. The maps are categorized by geographic areas and agencies. If you are familiar with opening maps in Google Earth or viewing them in Google Maps and want to skip the details, pick a map link from the following list and have a look. However, we encourage you to return here to read more and find out how you can help us complete and update this project.

Map Links

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

US Forest Service South Zone

US Forest Service North Zone

California County Agencies/CalFire Contracted
(California Counties Contracted with CalFire)

California BLM NPS BIA FWS
(Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service)

 

About the Maps

Each map is produced from information entered in a database which compiles the information into files for viewing in Google Earth (.kmz files) or Google Maps. The above list includes the maps currently available for viewing. Each map contains one or more wildland fire suppression agency or organization based on geographic location and may be further categorized depending on the number of stations and resources. Each station has its own placemark located by its latitude and longitude (using degrees, decimal degrees). The placemark balloons contain information on physical addresses, resources assigned, a picture, and links to more information.

Long a concept, but never begun, the undertaking of these projects wasn't possible without the encouragement and enthusicastic support of the WLF Hotlist moderators. They spent hundreds of hours on research, validation, and database entry. Special recognition for their dedicated work goes to Mod-Yellow (aka "the machine") who tirelessly cranked out the data for station after station, to Mod-Chapparal for his inspiration and dedication, and to Mod-Green for his knowledge, advice, and attention to detail.

While we're making the above maps public, we are aware that many placemarks need work. We've documented and validated hundreds of stations, but there remain many whose specific locations or other information is unknown, inaccurate, or incomplete. To remedy this situation we are asking you to participate and help by sharing your knowlege. Please see the Contribute to This Project below to find out how you can help.

Why the Maps?

We decided to make fire station maps because we often wanted to know where stations are and weren't able to find them. The huge increase in mapping and GIS software programs over the last few years indicates other folks want to know more about where they live and where they might travel. Whether its firefighters, those who follow them, job seekers, or the general public, there has been a strong interest in where they work, how far away they are, how to get there, and what's nearby. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments on how you use the maps and what other information or references you'd like to see included.

How To Use the Map Links

KMZ Files
Requires Google Earth

The KMZ File link will either open or save a .kmz file to your computer based on your Internet browser settings. A .kmz file contains information and instructions allowing Google Earth to open and display a map. The KMZ files above are very small files that allow a direct (network) connection to the map database. As information is changed or updated, the kmz file will automatically have the new information available. Updates will depend on how often we receive new information and have time to add it. Please use the following tabbed sections for more info on using KMZ files and network links.

Google Maps Files

The Google Map file links are simple urls used to direct your internet browser to open the Google Maps site and display the appropriate map. For more Google Maps info, see the appropriate tab below.

  • How to Open a KMZ File
  • Viewing a KMZ File
  • Saving a KMZ File
  • View Links in Google Maps

Prior to using a kmz file, you must have Google Earth installed on the computer or other device you are using. Use the following link to find the minimum requirements, how to download, install, and more information: Google Earth

To open or run the kmz file simply click one of the map links above. Depending on your browser settings, you should receive one of the following results.

1. Your browser will recognize the kmz file and automatically open Google Earth and display the map.

2. Your browser will recognize the kmz file and ask you if you want to Save or Run the file. This choice is up to you. If you are on your own pc and want to use the link without returning here, you will probably want to "Save" it.

3. Your browser will have no idea what a kmz file is and will ask you what you want to do with it. This will typically happen because your browser does not have a File Type associated with a .kmz file. If this is the case, use your browser Help link to find how to associate a file type.

When the map is opening in Google Earth, you should see a new title under the Temporary Places with a small yellow ball moving back and forth in front of a folder icon. This indicates the map info is being downloaded to your pc. Once the information is transferred the little ball will turn green and the view will zoom (or fly) to the extent of the map placemarks. The time it takes to download the info will depend on which map is being viewed, how speedy the servers are running, and your internet connection. Typical time for a larger map on verage broadband is around 5-15 seconds.

Once the view zooms in, you should see a number of placemarks on the globe identifying each station location. Placemarks are shown as small logos or icons representing the agency or organization of the associated station. Clicking a placemark will open a balloon containing a photo, station address, resources assigned, and various other Internet links for more information.

In the left hand Places column the title of the map will have a + mark at the left side. Clicking the + will open the list and show the sub categories. If the sub category has a + mark, clicking it will further open to show the stations. Clicking the ✓ mark will the categories on or off.

With the sub categories list open, double clicking on a sub title will zoom the map to only that area. For example, with the North Ops map listing open, double clicking on the Eldorado NF will zoom into just those stations.

Clicking once on a station name in the list will open the placemark balloon for that station. Double clicking on a station name in the forest listing will open the placemark and zoom in close to the station.

When Google Earth opens a new kmz file link from a browser, it adds it to a list in the left hand column under Temporary Places. To have the new map available the next time you open Google Earth, you can move it up to My Places. Following is one of several ways to so this.

Right click on the main title of the new map link under Temporary Places, for example "North Ops", to open the options menu, then click Save to My Places. The map should move up to the permanent category.

Viewing the maps in Google Maps is fast and easy, but probably not the preferred method for prolonged viewing. One inherent issue is the much smaller window available to view the map than Google Earth. Another issue is the way various browsers interpret the Google Map web page. Common problems we've observed in various in browsers include the following. . .

"Map not found" or "Bad Link": Try refreshing your browser once or twice as needed.

When clicking a placmark icon of station from the list, the placemark balloon doesn't open properly, the photo and or text may look odd. This can usually be fixed by simply clicking the icon or link again. It typically only happens when clicking the first one.

Your browser starts to load the map, then just stops and freezes. This appears somewhat typical using Opera.

You can add the map link to your browser bookmarks for easy returns, or add the map to your personal Google Maps list.

Google Earth Tips 'n Tricks

Google Earth - Can't find the stations through all the other stuff:

Google Earth includes a variety of default data "Layers" that may be turned on and off. Having too many or some of the intrusive layers "on" can interfere with browsing the station maps. Recommendation: Turn off all of them except "Borders and Labels", and "Roads", until comfortable with the station maps. Layers can be selected or unselected in the bottom left hand column. Some layers have many sub layers. One layer sure to cause confusion with the Station Maps is the "More, Parks/Recreation Areas, USDA Forest Service and its sub layers.

Organize My Places by Adding Folders:

If you want to save the various maps in My Places to have them available for future use, make a new Folder in My Places to store them for easy access. Right click the My Places lable, then Add, then Folder. This opens up a new window where you can name the folder, such as Station Maps, add a description if desired, then click OK. You can now drag 'n drop your maps into this folder for permanent reference.

We'll add more tips 'n tricks as we find or you let us know about them here.

How to Contribute to this Project

As we mentioned in the summary, these maps are not complete, have a variety of errors, and we understand they will never be "done". New stations are created, old ones abandoned, and station resources are subject to change. We encourage you to submit new or updated information on locations, addresses, resources, photos, stories, or station history.

Maps currently under construction, but needing serious help include the

Current problems we need your help with include:

To submit updated station information for the station maps please use the wlfstations email addressemail address and follow these guidelines:

Station Latitude/Longitude: The lat/long needs to be in the WGS84 datum and Decimal Degrees format. An example is the Calfire Butte Ranger District HQ at Lat: 39.524644° Long: -121.569311°

Provide the unique 5 letter identifier for the station's agency, example for the above would be CA-BTU, and give the station name.

Include any other information that needs to be updated.

If you have information for more than one or two stations, you may want to download a pre formatted spreadsheet from the one of the links below. The spreadsheets have sample station information to follow and blanks can be filled with your information. The spreadsheet can then be attached to an email and returned to us.

Links to Pre-formatted documents:

Download a Station Update form:

rtf format This is Rich Text Format that can be opened by most any operating system, use Wordpad in most MS Windows systems.

MS Excel (xls) A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in .zip format, requires MS Excel or compatible.

Open Office (.ods) An Open Office spreadsheet in .zip format. The program is available free as part of the wonderful Open Office Suite, an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office or any other commercial office software. Highly recommended!

Mapping Resources

There are many methods of determining an accurate lat/long point, from hand held GIs instruments to various online mapping software. Here are a couple of easy methods and programs we've used.

Using Google Earth:

Using Google Maps:

What's Next?

The best thing about data base driven maps is once you have the basic locations identified and established, there is virtually no limit to the type or amount of information that can be associated with them. The recent submissions to They Said It supplying information and photos of a historical nature is one example of content we plan to develop and associate to the mapped stations. Integrating our existing Fire Manager History history along with station crewmembers by year along with photos would be interesting. We'd love to hear your ideas and comments, but most of all your participation in these endeavors!