Setup & Pin Types
Create the operation, name it clearly, and enable only the pin types you'll actually use. Five categories cover everything a fire op needs. Everything else stays off so the pin picker doesn't slow you down at 2am on a slope.
Create the Operation
From the Projects screen, tap + New Operation. Walk through the Setup Wizard:
- Name: Location-specific and dated. "Settlers Valley Fire 2026-04-18" not "Fire"
- Type: Wildland Fire
- Starting Location: Your current GPS if you're on scene, or search the incident address
- Access PINs: Set a User PIN for your crew, Viewer PIN for mutual aid (we'll share this in Step 04)
Enable the Right Pin Types
Picking "Wildland Fire" in the wizard already enables a reasonable default set. If you need to adjust, open Settings → Pin Types.
The Five Types You Need
- 🔥 Fire Related — active fire, spot fires, flare-ups, hazardous fuel loads
- ⚑ Incident Command — command post, staging, divisions, branches, drop points
- 🚒 Fire Assets — engines, tenders, brush trucks, dozers, hand crews
- ⚠ Hazard — downed powerlines, hazmat, unsafe structures, dangerous terrain
- 📡 Drone Ops — drone launch points, flight paths, no-fly zones
Every pin type you enable shows up in the pin picker when someone drops a pin. More options = more scrolling = slower reactions. Fire crews need 5 categories. Keep it to 5. If the situation changes (say, a firefighter goes missing and you need SAR), flip on those types at that point.
Set the Default Map Layer
For fire work, Topographic is your friend. Contours show slope and aspect — critical for predicting fire behavior. Open Settings → Default Layer → Topographic.
Satellite is useful for pre-incident briefings but less useful when actively working the fire. Hybrid is a good compromise if you want labels plus imagery.
Download Offline Maps Right Now
Before you head out, download the operational area as offline tiles. Settings → Offline Maps → Download New Region. Draw a box covering at least a 10-mile buffer around your expected fire area. Pick Topo + Street at minimum; Satellite if you have the data allowance.
Signal in wildland terrain is unreliable. The offline map is the difference between a working tool and a dead screen.