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Map Guide & Data Sources

Read a simple explanation of how to interpret the wildfire map and weather hazards, or view links to our direct data feeds.

Wildfires & Heat Points

Wildfire Badges (Active Incidents)

These badges mark official active fires. Small orange badges represent smaller fires, and larger red badges show major wildfires exceeding 1,000 acres. Click any badge to display local weather measurements and suppression status.

Burn Perimeters (Charred Ground)

The dark charcoal/blackened shapes outlined on the map show exactly where land has already burned. These shapes represent the cumulative footprint of the fire and expand as the fire spreads.

Active Heat (Satellite Hotspots)

Small glowing dots (yellow, orange, or red) show hot spots detected by satellites in the last 24 hours. The brighter and denser these dots are, the more active the fire front is at that spot. Look for these clusters on the edges of burn perimeters to see where a fire is currently expanding.

Smoke & Air Quality

Smoke Plume Shading

Shaded cloud overlays indicate where smoke is drifting in the air. **Light (yellow)** represents thin haze, **Medium (orange)** is thick overhead smoke, and **Heavy (red)** is dense ground-level smoke.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Air quality monitoring stations. **Green** dots indicate clean, safe air. **Orange/Red** dots mean soot/fine particulate counts (PM2.5) are high—sensitive groups (like asthma sufferers) should limit outdoor time.

Weather & Risk Indicators

Wind Speed & Heading

Wind direction indicates where the wind is *coming from* (e.g., a "South Wind" blows *towards* the North). Stronger winds feed oxygen to the flames and carry embers downwind, creating potential danger paths.

Relative Humidity (RH)

Represents the moisture content in the air. When **humidity falls below 20%**, the dry air sucks moisture out of forest trees, grass, and brush, turning them into highly flammable dry fuel.

Safety & Warning Corridors

The map draws **Wind-Driven Risk Corridors** (blue overlay cones extending from active fires). If you search for an address:

  • Critical Threat: The location falls inside an active FEMA warning/evacuation zone.
  • Warning Corridor: The location is downwind of an active fire, in the direct path of wind and drifting embers.
  • Safe Zone: The location is currently outside active perimeters, risk cones, and alert zones.