Online Fire Tracking?

goatbar asks: "Being in San Diego, it is really frustrating to see the lack of information to the public about where the fires are. It seems such a simple thing to have an application where people can add info as to when and where there are fires. We would love to know when it's safe to go home, but with 3 TV stations out, it's hard to know. Seems like basic disaster service, right?"

Comments

Semi-realtime satellite image of fire status

[jncook]

There are a few web pages with live satellite imagery of the fire area. This one shows the entire state of California, including both current fires and old burns. You can see the activity around San Diego quite clearly.

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/archive/cgb20033 00 _0700.jpg

From the site: "MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program
Welcome to the USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center's (RSAC) MODIS Active Fire Mapping web site. Here you will find information on current large fires, active fire maps, and fire imagery as seen by the MODIS instrument on board NASA's EOS satellites, Terra & Aqua."

Also, the San Diego Union Tribune has a lot of good information at http://www.signonsandiego.com/ I think checking the web site of the local newspaper is probably the best way to keep up to date. They has links to lists of evacuated areas that are cleared for people to return.

James

here they are!

[stinkfoot]

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/Ar chive/Oct2003/California_fc.TMOA2003299_lrg.jpg

Look Harder...

[Anm]

Up in Los Angeles, I have similar interests in what is going on. Here are some links...

Broad overview by the National forest Service

Excellent PDF of California, updated more than daily

Satellite imagery (Forest Service, very amazing)

More satellite imagery (NOAA, false colored with fires highlighted)

National Interagency Fire Centers wildfire reports

Interactive (zoomable) airspace restrictions map

And this is just the tip of the iceberg/what I happened to bookmark.

Anm