Training On Demand
 A topographical map is a representation of the Earth,
or part of it.
 The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is
that the shape of the Earth's surface is shown by
contour lines.
 Contours are imaginary lines that join points of equal
elevation on the surface of the land above or below a
reference surface such as mean sea level.
 Contours make it possible to measure the height of
mountains, depths of the ocean bottom, and steepness
of slopes.
 A topographic map shows more than contours.
 Maps includes symbols that represent such features as
streets, buildings, streams, and woods.
 These symbols are constantly refined to better relate to
the features they represent.
 A topographic map tells you where things are and how
to get to them.
 In our case, they assist with the location and
verification of wildland fires.
 They show the distance between any two places, and
they also show the direction from one point to another.
 Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a direct
relationship, between a unit of measurement on the
map and the actual distance on the ground.
 If 1 inch on the map represents 1 mile (which converts
to 63,360 inches) on the ground, the map's scale is
1:63,360.
 A convenient way of representing map distance is by
the use of a graphic scale bar.
 Most USGS topographic maps have scale bars in the map
margin that represents distances on the map in miles,
feet, and kilometers.
 Scale indicates 1:24ooo
 Map is complete with scale bar to measure distance
 Contour interval as indicated is 40 ft.
 Contour lines are a method of depicting the 3-
dimensional character of the terrain on a 2dimensional map.
 Contour are lines drawn on the map represent equal
points of height above sea level.
 On multi-colored maps, contour lines are generally
represented in brown.
 The map legend will indicate the contour interval—the
distance in feet (meters, etc.) between each contour line.
 There will be heavier contour lines every 4th> or 5th
contour line that are labeled with the elevation
 Contour maps give us the grounds topography by the
way the lines interact with each other as seen here.
Other General
Map References
Black Blue Brown Green White Red Purple -
man-made items
water
contour lines
substantial vegetation
little or no vegetation
major highways
features added to the
map since the original
survey.
 Topo maps are used for two main purposes in the fire
service:
Triangulate the location/ boundaries of a fire
Or
Identify the location of fire resources in the field
 Both operations require the use a way to gauge
location
 Latitude/Longitude or the Public Land Survey System
defines locations on a map
 Both require useful knowledge of compass operation.
 The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a way of subdividing
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and describing land in the United States.
All lands in the public domain are subject to subdivision by this
rectangular system of surveys, which is regulated by the U.S.
Department of the Interior
The PLSS is used to divide public domain lands, which are lands
owned by the Federal government for the benefit of the citizens
of the United States.
The original public domain included the land ceded to the
Federal Government by the thirteen original States,
It encompasses major portions of the land area of 30 southern
and western States.
Since the original PLSS surveys were completed, much of the
land that was originally part of the public domain has been
transferred to private ownership.
 Alabama
 Alaska
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
 Colorado
 Florida
 Idaho
 Illinois
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Louisiana
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Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
South Dakota
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Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
 Land is divided into 6-mile-square townships, which is
the level of information included in the National
Atlas.
 Townships are subdivided into 36 one-mile- square
sections. Sections can be further subdivided into
quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular
government lots.
 Most PLSS surveys begin at an initial point, and
townships are surveyed north, south, east, and west
from that point.
 This line is perpendicular to the Principal Meridian.
 Township N S
 Range E
W
 Each 6 miles squares
 Fire in T3N R2E
 1 mile square
 640 acres
 Numbered within
Township/Range
 ½ Sections, ¼ Sections
divide the section
number further
 Identified by cardinal
direction location
 Ie. “SW ¼ of Section 10”.
 Fires are now most often located by Latitudinal and
Longitudinal coordinates
 Devices utilizing satellites easily gather coordinates for
easy reference
 Devices must be set to DATUM NAD83 to provide to
correct information
 PLSS acts as a secondary way of indicating the location
of a wildland fire.
 PLSS will make conversion to Latitude and Longitude easy
 By identifying a fire’s location it can be determined
who must be notified
 Triangulation has become a generic term for the
process of measuring to two or more known points to
determine - using geometry - the location of an
unknown point.
 To map a fire, firefighters should always triangulate to
insure the most accurate possible idea.
 Align the base plate with an imaginary line between
two points on the map.
 Turn the compass dial until the north lines align with
the north lines on the map.
 Read the bearing set on the compass dial.
 Hold the compass flat.
 Sight from an object you
can identify on the map
 Move the dial to match
north
 Remember to account
for magnetic declination
 Read and document the
bearing
 Move to your next
landmark
 Grid North
 Where the grid on your map is pointing. Since grid lines
on the map are all parallel, they never meet in one point.
 Magnetic North
 Where the magnetic needle points. These wavy lines
depend on iron magma in the earth that changes each
year
 According to the NOAA Frisco CO has a 9⁰ E Magnetic
Declination in 2012
 9°E means we rotate the base plate's orienting arrow 9°
E of 0°/N to compensate for the +9° declination
 Not a big deal when we are close, but over distance it can
lead to significant inaccuracies.
 Topo maps should indicate a declination chart on them
 Set the bearing on the compass dial.
 Lay the long edge of the compass on the known point
(where the bearing was taken from).
 Turn the compass plate so that the north lines align
with the north lines on the map.
 Align the base plate with an imaginary line between
two points on the map.
 Turn the compass dial until the north lines align with
the north lines on the map.
 Read the bearing set on the compass dial.
 Be aware then of magnetic declination and whether
your compass is measuring magnetic north or has
been adjusted to grid north.
 Topo maps and navigation for the purpose of locating
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wildland fires is not difficult.
However, it is a skill that needs to be practiced on a
frequent basis to remain proficient
Utilize what you have learned and practice your skills
Once you are re-familiarized with finding bearings on
a map, you will remember how triangulation works
Practice these skills as a company