Our changing climate is affecting the frequency, intensity, and range of wildfires. Earlier this year, Texas experienced the largest wildfire in state history. As more wildfires occur in different places, it’s getting harder to track them and determine which ones are most threatening.
This interactive map from Esri offers some insights. Using data from a suite of federal agencies and other organizations, the map tracks active wildfires and their impacts.
When you open the map, you’ll see active wildfires burning in the US. To help users focus on the most pressing incidents, the map sorts and symbolizes wildfires by the number of personnel assigned to them. It’s a clever way to raise awareness about the fires that demand the most support and resources.
Clicking a fire on the map or list unlocks a comprehensive overview of the fire and its impacts. As the map zooms in, real-world imagery shows the landscape around the fire and its perimeter. Stats on the info panel show how long and how much a fire has burned, as well as its status. As you dig deeper, the panel reveals information about drought status, wildfire hazard potential, air quality, and more at the fire’s location.
You can also discover who may be impacted by the fire. Details about vulnerable populations and the number of housing units add key context about the human impacts. But the map also reports on potential carbon loss and its effects on biodiversity. You can even see if lands are protected by agencies as well as any critical habitat designations. These types of environmental impacts are often overlooked in wildfire discussions.
This holistic context about wildfires is valuable in both the near and long term. First responders can use these insights to inform response efforts like evacuations and fire lines. Policymakers and land managers can better understand ecosystem impacts and predict fire behavior. In a future likely to feature more wildfires, maps like this will be a critical resource for all of us.
More to Explore
- Learn more about how this interactive map was created and recent updates to it.
- Check out this animated map of the largest wildfires in California from 1910 to 2019.
- Revisit Canada’s historic 2023 wildfire season.
