The Western Fire Chiefs Association provides near real-time wildfire tracking across the western United States and Alaska through its interactive WFCA Fire Map. The mapping tool combines satellite detection systems, artificial intelligence verification, and weather forecasting data to display active wildfire incidents and perimeters.
Satellite and AI Detection Systems
Fires are detected using polar-orbiting satellites from NASA FIRMS—specifically VIIRS, MODIS, and Landsat thermal sensors—alongside NOAA’s GOES geostationary satellites. These detections are verified by Satellites on Fire, an artificial intelligence system that fuses multiple inputs to confirm wildfire activity and provide higher resolution.
The platform incorporates multiple data layers that users can toggle. These include official IRWIN incident records, federal FEDS perimeters with growth tracking and containment status, live 911 dispatch calls via PulsePoint, and live firefighting aircraft tracking for tankers, helicopters, and reconnaissance units. Users can also view smoke and lightning observations, live fire cameras from partner networks, and early perimeter and three-hour spread forecasts for California fires via FIRIS.
Weather Data Powers Map Color-Coded Layers
The National Weather Service and NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center supply fire-weather context to the map, contributing Red Flag Warnings, fire-weather outlooks, wind data, and humidity levels. Satellite imagery features GOES GeoColor true-color and VIIRS Fire Bands composites.
Every layer on the platform is color-coded by recency and confidence, linking directly to incident detail panels that contain growth history, dispatch information, and live conditions. The system also supports deep links for any state, fire, or viewport, allowing users to share URLs that open to identical views. WFCA notes that fire dispatch and location data are approximate, and no representation or warranty is provided regarding the timeliness, accuracy, or completeness of the information.
