Jan 14

Jan 14 Map Apps for Fire Tracking

New Discoveries Underscore How Far Technology has Come Since the Thomas Fire

Editor's Note: This piece was first published on January 9 to OLO as a personal reflection. Since then, it has been significantly expanded to include detailed insights into the tools and technologies that are transforming how we respond to wildfires. This updated version provides broader context, historical details, and additional resources to highlight the evolution of fire-tracking technology.

The screenshots featured here are from various times between January 6 and January 14 and should not be used as real-time references for fire conditions, evacuation zones, or safety updates

Since Tuesday morning, I’ve been glued to my screen, 3,400 miles away, tracking the fires devastating Southern California. The evolution of technology has transformed how we navigate such crises, offering tools that provide clarity amidst chaos. It’s been heartbreaking to watch the destruction unfold from a distance — to see homes, landscapes, and histories consumed by flames. Yet, the tools I’ve relied on have served as an essential bridge, offering clarity and a way to stay connected to home despite the physical distance. They provide critical clarity and insight during chaotic moments, from tracking evacuation zones to monitoring air quality, and highlight how far technology has come in aiding disaster response.

Watch Duty: Real-Time Fire Tracking

A close up of a map in the Pacific Palisades/Malibu area — PALISADES FIRE BLOCK-BY-BLOCK, MALIBU, WATCH DUTY

Early heat map of Eaton fire in Altadena, it is all red — EATON FIRE HEAT MAP, HILLS ABOVE ALTADENA, WATCH DUTY

Launched in August 2021, Watch Duty quickly became an indispensable tool during wildfire season. Just days after launch, it attracted 22,000 users and has since expanded to millions. This community-driven app provides real-time fire tracking and updates. It relies on a network of volunteers, including retired and active firefighters, to deliver timely and accurate information. By integrating detailed perimeter maps, heat intensity overlays, and wind direction data, Watch Duty has transformed how people monitor and respond to wildfires.

a map showing the Santa Ana Wind direction over the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills — EATON FIRE HEAT MAP, HILLS ABOVE ALTADENA, WATCH DUTY

The addition of wildfire cameras, like those stationed around the Ojai Valley, gives real-time views of high-risk areas, helping to detect fires early and assess conditions on the ground. These cameras are part of the Alert California program, a collaboration between UC San Diego and statewide agencies. Officially launched in May 2023, Alert California expanded upon the earlier ALERTWildfire network, introducing over 1,000 pan-tilt-zoom cameras and advanced sensor arrays. These enhancements have revolutionized real-time fire monitoring and response across the state.

Two images collaged: left is a map showing the lo ation of a wildfire camera at Ladera Ridge, right is the view from the camera looking toward Chief Peak showing a very dry landscape — LADERA RIDGE WILDFIRE CAMERA, OJAI, WATCH DUTY

Windy: Monitoring Fire Danger and Air Quality

A map showing a range of fire danger alerts from Santa Barbara to Thousand Oaks — FIRE DANGER, SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES, WINDY

Windy, launched as Windyty in 2014, has undergone significant feature expansions since then. By Thomas, it already offered core weather forecasting features. However, over the years, Windy has enhanced its offerings, now providing real-time data layered with fire-related forecasts, wind speed predictions, and PM2.5 air quality maps. These are invaluable for understanding immediate risks and offer forecasts for up to nine days. Watching the PM2.5 levels stay relatively low over Ojai has offered some solace amidst the chaos.

A map showing air pollution centered around Malibu California, but clear air in Ojai — PMS2.5 LEVELS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST, WINDY

Ventura County Sheriff’s Incident Dashboard

A map of power outages in Ventura County from january 8 or 9 — POWER OUTAGES, OJAI VALLEY, VC SHERIFF INCIDENT DASHBOARD

During Thomas, I was nonstop refreshing VCScanner’s Twitter for updates and listening to actual police and fire scanners to stay informed. At that time, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office had not yet launched its Incident Dashboard. This tool was introduced in May 2021 as part of an effort to improve transparency and provide real-time information to the public.

The Incident Dashboard offers features such as tracking power outages and displaying evacuation zones. It provides residents with crucial, real-time updates that can make all the difference in a crisis. Its development reflects a significant advancement in how local authorities leverage technology to enhance public safety and communication.

CAL FIRE

A view of structures lost in Pacific Palisades coast around Gladstone's — PALISADES STRUCTURE LOSS MAP, PACIFIC PALISADES, CAL FIRE

Powered by ESRI’s scene viewer technology, CAL FIRE provides multiple distinct mapping tools that showcase the power of modern fire visualization. ESRI, a leader in geographic information systems (GIS), powers these tools with advanced capabilities for real-time analysis. Shown above, at roughly the same point along the Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades, are two key maps in action. One is a 3D map of the fire perimeter, offering a dynamic and detailed view of the blaze's boundaries. The other is a structure damage map, a work in progress, updating as new data arrives to reveal the full extent of property destruction in affected areas.

These tools were first introduced for wildfire response around 2020, though CAL FIRE’s integration with ESRI technology continues to expand. During the Thomas Fire, such advanced mapping wasn’t available, leaving residents to rely on less detailed and less accessible information.

CIRA Satellite Mapping

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (@cira_csu)

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) provides satellite imagery that captures fire spread displayed as timelapse footage. These animations vividly illustrate fire movement and growth, providing an engaging view of fire dynamics. First introduced for wildfire response in the early 2020s, CIRA's tools represent a major leap in satellite-based fire tracking, offering insights that were not available during earlier incidents like the Thomas Fire.

NASA’s Worldview App

Nasa heat map of Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles County January 8, it is a solid block made up of tightly compressed red squares — EATON HOT SPOTS, NASA, JANUARY 8

Nasa heat map of Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles County January 11, it is mostly gray, meaning the active fire is contain to a small perimeter, active spots are away from homes — EATON HOT SPOTS, NASA, JANUARY 11

For those seeking a broader lens, NASA’s Worldview app provides real-time satellite imagery of fires, weather patterns, and air quality. Publicly accessible since 2011, this tool offers much more than just fire tracking. It enables users to overlay multiple datasets, such as vegetation health, carbon monoxide levels, and aerosol optical depth, giving a comprehensive view of environmental impacts. For this piece, I’m simply using side-by-side heat map views of the Eaton Fire from January 8 and January 11. These snapshots vividly show how containment efforts have progressed over time, offering a powerful visual representation of the fire’s slowing pace while highlighting the broader capabilities of this versatile tool.

The Role of Maps in Crisis Management

Maps are no longer mere navigation tools; they’re lifelines. As I track the fires from thousands of miles away, these tools have become my constant companions, providing both information and a much-needed sense of connection to home. Watching evacuation zones shift and air quality change in real time brought an immediacy to the unfolding disaster that grounded me, even at a distance. From identifying evacuation zones to monitoring air quality, they clarify chaos and empower communities to respond. While no tool is perfect — delays in updates and gaps in coverage remain challenges — their importance is undeniable.

Exploring the Resources

Here are the tools mentioned:

Watch Duty: Real-time fire tracking, updates, and live cameras.
Windy: Wind, air quality, and fire danger maps.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Incident Dashboard: Localized power and safety updates.
VCScanner: Old school Twitter updates.
CAL FIRE: Advanced scene visualization and 3D maps. Structure damage Eaton, Palisades.
Alert California: Wildfire cameras.
CIRA Satellite Mapping: Real-time satellite views.
NASA Worldview App: For broader perspectives.

A Heartfelt Note

To those affected by the fires, my heart is with you. Watching the maps shift and evolve over the week has been heart-wrenching. From tracking evacuation zones to monitoring air quality, I’ve felt immense gratitude for the tools and teams making it possible to stay informed, even from afar. Whether you’re fleeing flames, mourning losses, or anxiously waiting for updates, know you’re not alone. I’m deeply grateful to first responders, tech developers, and journalists who make navigating these tragedies a little more manageable. Stay safe, stay strong, and continue to support each other.