1. Start Here
This tutorial turns the CalTopo user guide workflow into a prescribed fire planning workflow. CalTopo describes itself as a mapping platform for creating and using customized maps, where users can add location-based data to map layers. This course applies those tools to prescribed fire planning, implementation preparation, and field documentation.
Training intent: Students will learn how to build a clean project map, draw burn units and operational features, analyze terrain and access, map smoke receptors and values at risk, prepare mobile/offline map packages, and export map products for burn plans and operational briefings.
Operational disclaimer: A CalTopo map is not an approved burn plan, burn permit, smoke management plan, or agency authorization. Always follow the approved prescribed fire plan, local AHJ direction, air district rules, CARX/RXB direction, and current field conditions.
Who this is for
PBAs, CARX/RXB trainees, firing and holding resources, landowners, burn-plan writers, prescribed fire coordinators, and field observers.
PBAs, CARX/RXB trainees, firing and holding resources, landowners, burn-plan writers, prescribed fire coordinators, and field observers.
End products
Vicinity map, unit map, operations map, smoke receptor map, values-at-risk map, access map, contingency map, and final PDF map packet.
Vicinity map, unit map, operations map, smoke receptor map, values-at-risk map, access map, contingency map, and final PDF map packet.
Recommended prep
Collect parcel info, unit notes, access points, water sources, gates, hazards, sensitive resources, smoke receptors, and field photos before you begin.
Collect parcel info, unit notes, access points, water sources, gates, hazards, sensitive resources, smoke receptors, and field photos before you begin.
Prescribed fire mapping mindset
A useful burn map answers: Where is the unit? What are the control features? How do crews get in and out? Where are water, staging, hazards, and medical access? What could be impacted? What triggers contingency action?
Burn Unit
Water
Access
Smoke Receptor
Safety Zone
Unit boundaryHolding featureAccess routeWater sourceValues at riskContingency line
Source basis: CalTopo Training explains that its guide is divided into All Users, First Response, and Recreation sections, and that All Users covers basic map components, objects, importing/exporting, printing, mobile tools, and sharing workflows.
2. CalTopo Basics for Fire Planning
CalTopo separates background map information from the information you create. That distinction is essential for prescribed fire planning.
| CalTopo concept | What it means | Prescribed fire example |
|---|---|---|
| Base layer | The non-editable background map or imagery. | Topo, aerial imagery, shaded relief, scanned topo, satellite imagery. |
| Overlay | Transparent or semi-transparent information placed over a base layer. | Slope shading, land management, fire history, fire activity, contours, public land. |
| Map objects | Georeferenced data you create and save. | Burn unit polygon, water source marker, control line, gate marker, MAP trigger line. |
| Saved map | The project file containing your objects and settings. | ProjectName_BurnPlanMap_2026_UnitA. |
Key lesson: When you save a CalTopo map, you are saving the objects you add, not permanently attaching them to a single background layer. That means the same burn unit polygon can be viewed over topo, aerial imagery, shaded relief, or fire-related layers.
What this means on burn projects
Review phase
Switch layers to compare slopes, access, vegetation patterns, structures, drainage features, and possible control lines.
Switch layers to compare slopes, access, vegetation patterns, structures, drainage features, and possible control lines.
Plan phase
Draw the planned unit, prep lines, access routes, water, values at risk, smoke receptors, and contingency features.
Draw the planned unit, prep lines, access routes, water, values at risk, smoke receptors, and contingency features.
Briefing phase
Turn off clutter and show only what supports assignments, communications, hazards, escape routes, and contingency triggers.
Turn off clutter and show only what supports assignments, communications, hazards, escape routes, and contingency triggers.
Field phase
Use mobile maps, offline layers, GPS position, and field notes to verify and update the working map.
Use mobile maps, offline layers, GPS position, and field notes to verify and update the working map.
Learning check
3. Map Setup and Project Organization
A well-organized map prevents confusion during technical review, field verification, briefing, and implementation. CalTopo’s first-map guidance emphasizes logging in to save your work, navigating to the area, adding an object, saving the map, changing base layers and overlays, viewing the map on mobile, and printing/exporting a map product.
Step-by-step setup
1
Log in or create an account.
You can browse without logging in, but you need an account to save work reliably. Use the same login provider you used before so maps stay under the correct account.
You can browse without logging in, but you need an account to save work reliably. Use the same login provider you used before so maps stay under the correct account.
2
Navigate to the project area.
Use the search bar with a property name, road, town, coordinates, landmark, or legal description reference. Confirm the location by zooming and checking surrounding features.
Use the search bar with a property name, road, town, coordinates, landmark, or legal description reference. Confirm the location by zooming and checking surrounding features.
3
Add a first object.
CalTopo requires a map object before saving a map. Add a temporary project marker or an initial unit polygon.
CalTopo requires a map object before saving a map. Add a temporary project marker or an initial unit polygon.
4
Save with a clear title.
Use a naming format such as County_ProjectName_UnitA_RXPlan_YYYYMMDD. Add notes about version, author, and intended use.
Use a naming format such as County_ProjectName_UnitA_RXPlan_YYYYMMDD. Add notes about version, author, and intended use.
5
Build folders before drawing everything.
Folders keep the operational map clean and allow quick toggling of map features.
Folders keep the operational map clean and allow quick toggling of map features.
Recommended folder system
| Folder | What goes inside |
|---|---|
| 01 Project Boundary | Property boundary, burn unit boundary, acreage label, unit name. |
| 02 Access & Staging | Roads, gates, staging, parking, turnarounds, medevac access, road limitations. |
| 03 Holding & Water | Control lines, wetline, hose lays, pumps, tanks, draft sites, hydrants. |
| 04 Ignition | Test fire location, ignition start/stop, firing patterns, firing sequence arrows. |
| 05 Hazards & Safety | Snags, fences, powerlines, steep slopes, escape routes, safety zones, medical points. |
| 06 Smoke & Values | Smoke receptors, structures, sensitive resources, exclusion areas, notification points. |
| 07 Contingency / MAPs | Management Action Points, trigger lines, contingency lines, resource access routes. |
| 08 Field Notes | Temporary field observations, photos, GPS tracks, items needing verification. |
Best practice: Keep a working map and a final briefing map. The working map can contain field notes and clutter; the briefing map should be clean, readable, and version controlled.
4. Map Objects, Markers, Lines, Polygons, and Folders
CalTopo objects are the core of burn planning. Markers identify points, lines represent routes or boundaries, and polygons represent areas. CalTopo’s object lessons explain that markers are point objects at specific coordinates; lines are connected points; and polygons are closed lines used to define areas.
Markers
Use for gates, water sources, hazards, structures, safety zones, staging, med points, smoke receptors, sensitive resources, and photo points.
Use for gates, water sources, hazards, structures, safety zones, staging, med points, smoke receptors, sensitive resources, and photo points.
Lines
Use for access routes, control lines, hose lays, handline, dozer line, escape routes, patrol routes, and MAP trigger lines.
Use for access routes, control lines, hose lays, handline, dozer line, escape routes, patrol routes, and MAP trigger lines.
Polygons
Use for burn units, exclusion areas, treatment blocks, safety zones, smoke concern areas, and values-at-risk zones.
Use for burn units, exclusion areas, treatment blocks, safety zones, smoke concern areas, and values-at-risk zones.
Folders
Use to group, toggle, and clean up features before printing or sharing.
Use to group, toggle, and clean up features before printing or sharing.
Adding objects
1
Use +Add. Add markers, lines, polygons, and other objects from the map objects sidebar.
2
Right-click on the map. Add an object at a specific location when working on the web version.
3
Use keyboard shortcuts when helpful. Common shortcuts include marker and line shortcuts on the web interface.
4
Edit the object immediately. Name it clearly, choose a useful symbol/color, place it in the correct folder, and add notes.
Prescribed fire naming examples
| Bad label | Better label |
|---|---|
| Gate | Gate 1 - Locked - Knox Key Needed |
| Water | Water 2 - 2,500 gal tank - drafting access east side |
| Hazard | Hazard 3 - Powerline crossing on north holding line |
| Line | Primary Holding Line - North Road Edge |
| MAP | MAP 1 - Spot across creek = request contingency engine |
Exercise: Add 10 markers to a training map: 2 water sources, 2 gates, 2 smoke receptors, 1 staging area, 1 medical point, 1 hazard, and 1 safety zone. Place each marker in the correct folder and write a useful note.
5. Burn Unit Mapping
New visual example: This module now includes a complete prescribed fire unit map example with NWCG-style operational symbology, including unit boundary, divisions, drop points, water sources, helispots, ICP, spike camp, control lines, planned lines, escape routes, roads, streams, contours, scale bar, north arrow, and a map legend.
Practice map: Use this as the visual target for building your own prescribed fire planning map in CalTopo. It is an instructional example, not an operational incident map.
The burn unit is the foundation of the map. It should be accurate enough to support planning, review, operational briefing, acreage estimates, smoke calculations, and field navigation.
Burn unit workflow
1
Choose the best base layer. Start with aerial imagery for visible features, then compare with topo/shaded relief for terrain context.
2
Draw the unit polygon. Trace control features, roads, ridges, wet areas, fences, property lines, or prepared lines as appropriate.
3
Name the polygon clearly. Example: Unit A - 18.4 acres - Oak Woodland RX.
4
Measure and verify acreage. Use the polygon area result as a planning estimate and confirm with authoritative information when required.
5
Add unit description notes. Fuel type, slope/aspect, control features, prep needs, and unresolved verification items.
What to map around the unit
Within unit
Fuel changes, heavy dead/down, snags, exclusion islands, drainages, rock outcrops, sensitive features.
Fuel changes, heavy dead/down, snags, exclusion islands, drainages, rock outcrops, sensitive features.
Adjacent to unit
Structures, timber, heavy fuels, steep slopes, access limitations, neighboring property, roads, powerlines.
Structures, timber, heavy fuels, steep slopes, access limitations, neighboring property, roads, powerlines.
Control features
Roads, handlines, wetlines, blackline, dozer line, natural barriers, mowed strips.
Roads, handlines, wetlines, blackline, dozer line, natural barriers, mowed strips.
Operational anchors
Anchor point, test fire area, ignition start/stop points, critical holding points.
Anchor point, test fire area, ignition start/stop points, critical holding points.
Quality check: Do not assume a line drawn from aerial imagery is an actual control line. Field verify roads, gates, line condition, fuel continuity, water availability, and safety zones.
6. Measure Tools for Burn Planning
The Measure menu is useful for quick planning measurements without permanently saving objects. CalTopo’s Measure training describes point information, weather, sun/moon, line measurements, distance, bearing, profile and terrain statistics, polygon area, parcel count, and structure count tools.
| Measure tool | Prescribed fire use | Field caution |
|---|---|---|
| Point info | Check coordinates, elevation, aspect, parcel context, and nearby conditions for a feature. | Verify critical information in the field or with official sources. |
| Distance | Estimate hose lay, line length, access route distance, escape route distance, or patrol route. | Terrain, vegetation, and road condition may make actual travel slower. |
| Bearing | Support orientation, smoke concern direction, or route planning. | Use with current wind and local topographic observations. |
| Profile / terrain stats | Evaluate slope changes along access, holding, or escape routes. | Map-derived terrain may not capture micro terrain or obstacles. |
| Polygon area | Estimate unit acreage or treatment block acreage. | Final acreage may need verification for permits, emissions, or reporting. |
| Structure / parcel context | Screen for values at risk and notification planning. | Property data can be incomplete or delayed; confirm locally. |
Practical exercises
Exercise A: Measure the length of your proposed primary holding line and estimate hose needs. Add a 10–20% buffer for routing, fittings, and terrain.
Exercise B: Use a line profile to compare two access routes. Which route is safer for engines? Which is better for medical extraction?
Exercise C: Draw a temporary polygon around the smoke concern area and identify the receptors that need notification or mitigation planning.
7. Base Layers and Overlays
CalTopo provides many base layers and overlays. The official training describes base layer categories such as MapBuilder, imagery, Google, specialty, live imagery, and shaded relief. It also describes overlays as transparent or semi-transparent information that can be placed over base layers.
Layer selection for prescribed fire
| Layer / overlay type | Planning use | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| MapBuilder Topo | Overall planning, roads, contours, labels, terrain context. | Use for vicinity maps and briefing maps where labels are needed. |
| Aerial / satellite imagery | Fuel continuity, structures, roads, line locations, vegetation patterns. | Compare image dates; field verify recent changes. |
| Scanned topo / historic maps | Legacy roads, trails, drainages, old features. | Do not assume old roads still exist. |
| Shaded relief / slope context | Terrain difficulty, holding concerns, escape routes, access limitations. | Use to brief slope-driven fire behavior concerns. |
| MapBuilder overlay | Add roads, trails, boundaries, and labels over imagery. | Use transparency to avoid covering important imagery. |
| Land ownership / public lands | Initial permission and jurisdiction screening. | Verify ownership with authoritative local data. |
| Weather/wind related data | Planning context and situational awareness. | Not a replacement for spot forecasts and on-site observations. |
Layer discipline
During planning, use as many layers as needed to analyze the project. During briefing, use only the layers needed to communicate assignments and hazards clearly. Too many layers can hide the message.
8. Fire Layers and Fire-Related Data
CalTopo’s Fire Layers training explains that fire activity overlays show fire activity over base maps, and that more real-time data can be less reliable for exact location. For prescribed fire planning, fire layers are helpful for situational awareness, but they must be used carefully.
Important: Fire activity, satellite detections, and perimeter layers can be delayed, generalized, or wrong. Use official incident information, local authorities, and agency direction for operational decisions.
| Fire-related layer | Use in prescribed fire planning | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Fire activity overlay | Check broader wildfire activity near the project during planning or implementation windows. | Not a final decision tool; verify with official sources. |
| MODIS / VIIRS / perimeter sources | Situational awareness for heat detections and perimeter context. | May be older but often more spatially reliable than ultra-live imagery. |
| GOES live / heat information | Very current satellite context over large areas. | Can be less accurate on the ground. |
| Sentinel true-color or false-color burn imagery | Review burn scars, vegetation condition, recent fire effects, and landscape context. | Cloud cover, timing, and subscription access may limit use. |
| Fire history overlay | Understand past fire footprint and possible fuel changes. | May not include the current year until updates occur. |
Prescribed fire application
Before burn day
Check surrounding wildfire activity, fire history, recent burn scars, and landscape context.
Check surrounding wildfire activity, fire history, recent burn scars, and landscape context.
During go/no-go prep
Use only as situational awareness alongside official forecasts, agency restrictions, and local conditions.
Use only as situational awareness alongside official forecasts, agency restrictions, and local conditions.
After burn
Review imagery and field data to support monitoring, documentation, and lessons learned.
Review imagery and field data to support monitoring, documentation, and lessons learned.
9. Operational Mapping for Burn Day
An operational map converts the planning map into a briefing tool. It should support assignments, accountability, communications, risk management, and contingency decision-making.
Operational features to include
| Category | Objects to map | Briefing question answered |
|---|---|---|
| Command / organization | ICP, staging, division breaks, crew parking, equipment locations. | Where do people report and how is the burn organized? |
| Ignition | Test fire, ignition sequence, start/stop points, firing pattern, firing boss location. | How will fire be introduced and controlled? |
| Holding | Holding line, critical holding points, hose lays, pump locations, patrol routes. | Where are the highest holding priorities? |
| Water | Tanks, hydrants, ponds, draft sites, refill points, hose-lay distances. | Where can resources refill or draft? |
| Safety | Hazards, escape routes, safety zones, medical points, extraction routes. | Where do crews go if conditions change? |
| Communications | Repeater points, comms dead zones, cell service notes, radio plan references. | How will resources communicate? |
Map symbol standards
Use consistent colors and labels. For example, red/orange for ignition, blue for water, green for access, black for control line, purple for sensitive features, yellow for hazards, and white/green for safety zones. Include a legend on exported maps.
Mini exercise: Build a burn-day map for a sample unit. Include one test fire point, two ignition arrows, three holding points, one staging area, two water sources, two hazards, one escape route, and one medical extraction point.
10. Smoke, Values at Risk, and Notifications
Mapping smoke receptors and values at risk helps burn planners visualize potential impacts and prepare notifications. This does not replace the smoke management plan or air district requirements.
Smoke receptors
Homes, subdivisions, schools, hospitals, care facilities, roads, airports, trailheads, recreation sites.
Homes, subdivisions, schools, hospitals, care facilities, roads, airports, trailheads, recreation sites.
Values at risk
Structures, fences, water lines, utilities, crops, timber, cultural resources, sensitive species, infrastructure.
Structures, fences, water lines, utilities, crops, timber, cultural resources, sensitive species, infrastructure.
Notification points
Adjacent landowners, AHJ, air district, dispatch/ECC, law enforcement, road departments, schools.
Adjacent landowners, AHJ, air district, dispatch/ECC, law enforcement, road departments, schools.
Mitigation features
Prep work, exclusion zones, wetlines, structure protection, road signs, traffic control points.
Prep work, exclusion zones, wetlines, structure protection, road signs, traffic control points.
Smoke receptor workflow
1
Identify likely smoke concern areas using terrain, access routes, populated areas, roads, and locally known smoke-sensitive sites.
2
Add markers for receptors and label them with usable names, not vague labels.
3
Create a smoke receptor folder that can be turned on for planning and exported for the burn plan appendix.
4
Record notification details outside the map or in object notes: name, phone/email, method, date/time, and responsible person.
5
Use the map in the operational briefing to explain smoke concerns, traffic concerns, and mitigation measures.
Reminder: Wind direction and smoke dispersion decisions require approved weather and smoke information. CalTopo can help visualize receptors, but it does not authorize ignition.
11. Risk Management, Contingency, and MAPs
Risk mapping should show the places where the plan needs special attention. CalTopo can help display hazards, trigger points, contingency lines, access routes, and operational thresholds.
Risk map components
| Feature | How to map it | What to write in notes |
|---|---|---|
| Management Action Point | Marker or line labeled MAP 1, MAP 2, etc. | Condition, management intent, recommended action, responsible person, timeframe. |
| Trigger line | Line or polygon edge where action changes. | Example: spot fire across creek triggers contingency resource request. |
| Contingency line | Line in a separate folder. | Resource type needed, access route, prep status, estimated response time. |
| Hazard point | Marker with hazard symbol. | Hazard type, mitigation, who is briefed, whether it was field verified. |
| Escape route | Line with direction arrows. | Destination safety zone, estimated travel time, limiting factors. |
| Medical extraction | Marker and route line. | Ambulance access, landing zone notes, gate combinations, contact method. |
Contingency planning questions
12. Mobile, Offline Maps, Tracks, and Field Data
CalTopo’s mobile tools allow field users to view the project map, use GPS, record tracks, navigate, and work with offline data. Offline preparation is critical in rural burn units with poor service.
Before leaving service: Open the correct map, download the needed offline layers and geographic area, verify the map opens in airplane mode, and confirm all critical objects are visible.
Mobile field workflow
1
Open the shared project map. Confirm you are not using an outdated draft or duplicate.
2
Download offline layers. Include the unit, access roads, contingency access, and nearby communities or reference points.
3
Field verify objects. Check gates, roads, water, hazards, control lines, staging, and safety zones.
4
Collect tracks and points carefully. Record access routes, unit walks, line prep needs, or reconnaissance tracks if appropriate.
5
Sync and clean up. When back online, sync, then move useful field data into permanent folders and archive clutter.
What to collect in the field
Gate statusRoad conditionWater volumeDraft accessSnagsPowerlinesFence gapsLine prepEscape routesSafety zonesMedical accessSmoke receptors
Field discipline: Do not let live field notes become the final operational map without review. Clean, label, and validate field-collected objects before relying on them.
13. Sharing, Collaboration, and Team Workflows
CalTopo’s training includes sharing, live tracking, team maps, team tracks, and first response/incident response workflows. For prescribed fire, sharing should be intentional and controlled.
Sharing roles
| Role | Recommended access | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Map lead / plan author | Edit | Maintains project data, folders, and final map products. |
| Burn Boss / CARX / RXB | Edit or review-level access depending on workflow | Reviews operational accuracy and approves changes. |
| Firing / holding leads | View or limited edit | Use map for briefing and field verification without changing core plan unintentionally. |
| Landowner | View | Review unit, access, values, and notification features. |
| Agency / AHJ reviewer | View or PDF export | Review final map packet without relying on live edits. |
| Public outreach | Separate simplified map | Avoid sharing sensitive locations or operational details publicly. |
Collaboration checklist
Team account note: Team workflows can support shared maps, tracks, live team tracking, sub-teams, and larger incident collaboration. For prescribed fire, this may be useful for organizations that run multiple burns or need shared map standards.
14. Exporting Map Products and Burn Plan Attachments
CalTopo supports printing and exporting map products. For prescribed fire, build multiple focused maps instead of trying to put everything on one page.
Recommended prescribed fire map packet
| Map product | Purpose | Must include |
|---|---|---|
| Vicinity map | Shows where the project is located. | Major roads, nearby community, project marker, north arrow/scale, date. |
| Project / ignition unit map | Shows burn unit, acreage, and control features. | Unit polygon, acreage, access, holding features, water, labels. |
| Operations map | Supports briefing and assignments. | Staging, divisions, ignition, holding, water, safety zones, hazards, med access. |
| Smoke receptor map | Supports smoke planning and notifications. | Receptors, roads, communities, wind/smoke concern notes, notification labels. |
| Values-at-risk map | Shows resources or improvements needing protection. | Structures, utilities, fences, cultural/ecological features, mitigation features. |
| Contingency / MAP map | Supports escalation decisions. | MAPs, trigger lines, contingency lines, response access, resource staging options. |
| Field verification map | Guides pre-burn scouting. | Unverified gates, road issues, hazards, line prep needs, water checks. |
Export standards
15. Capstone Exercise: Build a Complete Prescribed Fire Planning Map
Use this exercise to demonstrate that you can build a complete prescribed fire map from start to finish.
Scenario
You are helping prepare a 20-acre oak woodland prescribed burn on private land. The burn unit is bordered by a gravel ranch road on the north, a seasonal creek on the west, a handline on the south, and a mowed fuel break on the east. There are two homes downwind, one water tank, one locked gate, a powerline crossing near the north edge, and a contingency dozer line 300 feet east of the unit.
Required deliverables
Instructor review criteria
| Category | Meets standard if... |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Objects are placed logically and labels are specific enough to be useful. |
| Organization | Folders are clean and objects can be toggled by purpose. |
| Readability | Exported maps are not cluttered and can be used in a briefing. |
| Operational value | Map supports ignition, holding, access, safety, smoke, and contingency discussions. |
| Version control | Maps are date-stamped and clearly titled. |
16. Final Quiz: 30 Questions
Choose the best answer for each question. A score of 80% or better unlocks the certificate.
Certificate
Complete the quiz with 80% or higher to generate a printable certificate.
Certificate locked until passing score is reached.