US Wildfire Timeline Map: Real-Time Tracking & Interactive Visualization Tool

Track Current Wildfires Across America with Live Data from NIFC

Wildfires pose an increasing threat across the United States, with thousands of incidents occurring annually. Our US Wildfire Timeline Map provides real-time wildfire tracking, leveraging official data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) to help you monitor active fires, understand fire perimeters, and access critical incident information.

Whether you’re a homeowner in a fire-prone area, a researcher studying wildfire patterns, or simply concerned about air quality and safety, this interactive wildfire map delivers the essential information you need.

What is the US Wildfire Timeline Map?

The US Wildfire Timeline Map is a free, interactive web application that visualizes current and recent wildfire incidents across the United States. Built with advanced mapping technology, this tool aggregates official wildfire data and presents it in an easy-to-understand visual format.

Key Features of Our Wildfire Tracking System

Real-Time Wildfire Data Visualization

• Live incident markers showing active fire locations
• Color-coded indicators based on fire age (new, recent, older)
• Interactive fire perimeter boundaries
• Detailed information for each wildfire incident

Advanced Filtering Capabilities

• Timeline filter: View fires from the last 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or all available data
• Fire size categories: Filter by acreage (from small fires under 1,000 acres to mega-fires over 300,000 acres)
• Toggle between incident points and perimeter views
• Custom date range selection

Comprehensive Statistics Dashboard

• Total active incident count
• Cumulative acres burned
• Average containment percentage
• Real-time data refresh capability

Where Does the Wildfire Data Come From?

Primary Data Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)

Our wildfire map pulls data directly from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the nation’s primary coordination center for wildland firefighting resources. NIFC serves as the official source for wildfire incident information across all federal and state jurisdictions.

NIFC Data Services Used:

• Active Fire Perimeters GeoJSON Feed: Provides polygon data showing actual fire boundaries
• Incident Information System: Delivers real-time updates on fire name, location, size, containment, and discovery date

Data Quality and Reliability

The NIFC aggregates information from multiple federal agencies including:

• US Forest Service (USFS)
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• National Park Service (NPS)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
• Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
• State and local fire agencies

This multi-agency approach ensures comprehensive coverage of wildfire incidents across all land ownership types, from federal forests to state parks and private lands.

Understanding the Data Limitations

Important Data Constraints to Consider

While our wildfire tracking map provides valuable real-time information, it’s essential to understand certain limitations:

Reporting Delays

• Fire data may be delayed by several hours, depending on agency reporting schedules
• Remote fires may take longer to report and update
• Containment percentages are estimates and updated periodically

Coverage Gaps

• Very small fires (under 10 acres) may not be reported to NIFC
• Private land fires managed by local departments may not appear
• Prescribed burns (controlled fires) are sometimes included in the dataset

Geographic Accuracy

• Fire perimeters are estimates based on aerial surveys and GPS mapping
• Actual fire boundaries can change rapidly due to weather conditions
• Perimeter data may lag behind the actual fire progression by 12-24 hours

Data Refresh Cycle

• NIFC updates its datasets multiple times daily, but not continuously
• Peak update times typically occur during business hours (PST)
• Our map caches data briefly to ensure optimal performance

What This Map Should NOT Be Used For

🚨 Critical Safety Notice: This wildfire map is designed for informational and educational purposes only. It should NOT be used for:

• Emergency evacuation decisions
• Real-time tactical firefighting operations
• Determining immediate personal safety
• Official fire behavior predictions

For emergency information, always consult:

• Local emergency management agencies
• Sheriff or police department evacuation orders
• Official county emergency websites
• Inciweb.nwcg.gov for incident-specific updates
• Local news and emergency alerts

How to Use the Wildfire Timeline Map

Getting Started with Wildfire Tracking

Step 1: View Active Fires When you load the map, you’ll immediately see all current wildfire incidents marked with color-coded pins:

• 🔴 Red circles = New fires (discovered in last 24 hours)
• 🟠 Orange circles = Recent fires (1-7 days old)
• 🟡 Yellow circles = Older fires (7+ days old)

Step 2: Apply Filters Use the control panel to customize your view:

• Select quick timeline filters (24h, 7d, 30d, or All)
• Choose specific date ranges for historical analysis
• Filter by fire size to focus on major incidents or smaller fires

Step 3: Explore Fire Details. Click any fire marker to view comprehensive information:

• Fire name and location
• Discovery date
• Current size (acres)
• Containment percentage
• Fire cause (when available)
• Managing agency

Advanced Features

Fire Perimeter Visualization Toggle perimeters on/off to see the actual mapped boundaries of large fires. Perimeters appear as semi-transparent red polygons, allowing you to understand the true scale and geographic extent of each incident.

Statistics Dashboard Monitor aggregate wildfire activity with real-time statistics showing total incidents, cumulative acres burned, and average containment across all visible fires.

Responsive Design The map automatically adapts to your device, whether you’re viewing on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone, ensuring a seamless experience for tracking wildfires on the go.

Understanding Wildfire Patterns and Seasonality

US Wildfire Season Timeline

Spring (March-May)

• Southern states experience increased fire activity
• Grass fires are common in the Great Plains
• Early-season fires in the Southwest

Summer (June-August)

• Peak wildfire season in Western states
• High fire danger in California, Oregon, and Washington
• Lightning-caused fires increase significantly

Fall (September-November)

• Extended fire season due to climate change
• California often sees the worst fires during this period
• Santa Ana winds drive rapid fire spread

Winter (December-February)

• Reduced fire activity in most regions
• Southern California can still experience fires
• Prescribed burns are conducted in the Southeast

Geographic Hotspots

Highest Risk States:

• California: Consistently leads in acres burned and major incidents
• Oregon: Significant forest fire activity
• Washington: Growing wildfire threat
• Idaho: Remote wilderness fires
• Montana: Large forest fires are common
• Arizona: Mix of forest and grassland fires
• New Mexico: Spring fire season
• Texas: Extensive grassland fires

Wildfire Data API and Technical Details

For Developers and Researchers

Our wildfire map is built on open-source technology and utilizes publicly available data APIs. Technical users can access the same data sources:

NIFC GeoJSON Feeds:

• Active Fire Perimeters: https://services3.arcgis.com/T4QMspbfLg3qTGWY/arcgis/rest/services/
• Data format: GeoJSON (RFC 7946 compliant)
• Update frequency: Multiple times daily
• No authentication required

Mapping Technology:

• Leaflet.js: Open-source JavaScript mapping library
• OpenStreetMap base layers
• Responsive vector tile rendering

Data Processing:

• Client-side GeoJSON parsing
• Real-time filtering and aggregation
• Efficient marker clustering for performance

Why Real-Time Wildfire Tracking Matters

Impact on Public Safety

Early Awareness Tracking wildfires as they develop provides crucial early warning for communities in potential fire paths. While not a substitute for official evacuation orders, awareness of nearby incidents allows residents to prepare and monitor conditions.

Air Quality Monitoring Even distant wildfires can severely impact air quality. Knowing the location and size of active fires helps individuals with respiratory conditions, children, and elderly populations take appropriate precautions.

Travel Planning Wildfires frequently close roads, trails, and recreational areas. Real-time tracking helps travelers avoid dangerous areas and plan alternative routes.

Environmental and Climate Research

Pattern Analysis Historical wildfire data reveals critical trends in fire frequency, intensity, and geographic distribution, supporting climate change research and forest management strategies.

Resource Allocation Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of wildfires helps agencies optimize firefighting resource deployment and pre-positioning.

Ecological Impact Assessment Tracking fire extent and duration supports research into ecosystem recovery, habitat disruption, and long-term environmental changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions About the Wildfire Map

Q: How often is the wildfire data updated?

A: The National Interagency Fire Center updates its data feeds multiple times throughout the day, typically every 2-4 hours during active fire season. Our map automatically pulls the latest data when you click the “Refresh Data” button or reload the page. However, there may be delays of several hours between when a fire status changes in the field and when it appears in the official data.

Q: Can I see historical wildfire data from previous years?

A: The current version of this map displays only active and recent incidents from the current fire season. Historical data beyond the current season is archived by NIFC but not included in the real-time feeds we use. For historical research, visit the NIFC website or GeoMAC archives.

Q: Why don’t I see a fire that’s been reported on the news?

A: There are several reasons a fire might not appear:

• Very small fires (under 10 acres) may not be reported to NIFC
• Newly discovered fires may take several hours to appear in the data feed
• Local fires managed entirely by city/county fire departments may not be included
• The fire may be a prescribed burn excluded from incident data
• Data feed delays during peak fire activity

Q: What do the different colored markers mean?

A: Fire markers are color-coded by age:

• Red (🔴) = Discovered within last 24 hours
• Orange (🟠) = Discovered 1-7 days ago
• Yellow (🟡) = Discovered more than 7 days ago

This helps you quickly identify new fire starts versus ongoing incidents.

Q: Are prescribed burns included in the data?

A: Sometimes. Prescribed burns (intentional controlled fires for land management) are occasionally included in NIFC data, especially if they’re large or managed by federal agencies. These are typically noted in the incident details. The presence of prescribed burns can inflate the total incident count but represents legitimate fire management activities.

Questions About Fire Size and Severity

Q: What does “containment percentage” actually mean?

A: Containment percentage indicates the portion of the fire perimeter where firefighters have established control lines that are expected to hold under current conditions. A 50% contained fire has control lines around half its perimeter, but this doesn’t mean the fire is half extinguished. Fires continue burning within containment lines and can still grow in uncontained areas.

Q: How are fire perimeters determined?

A: Fire perimeters are typically mapped using:

• Aerial infrared (IR) scanning flights
• GPS tracking by ground crews
• Satellite imagery analysis
• Remote sensing technology

Perimeters are usually updated every 24-48 hours for large fires, so they may not reflect the most current fire edge.

Q: Why do some fires show huge acreage but high containment?

A: Large acreage indicates the total area burned, while containment refers to control line establishment. A massive fire may be well-contained after weeks of firefighting, meaning it’s surrounded by control lines but still burning within that perimeter. High containment generally indicates good progress but doesn’t mean the fire is out.

Q: What’s considered a “large” wildfire?

A: Fire size classifications:

• Small: 0-999 acres
• Medium: 1,000-9,999 acres
• Large: 10,000-49,999 acres
• Very Large: 50,000-299,999 acres
• Mega-Fire: 300,000+ acres

For context, 1,000 acres equals about 1.56 square miles. Fires over 100,000 acres are relatively rare but increasingly common due to climate change.

Q: Why do fire sizes sometimes decrease in the data?

A: Fire size estimates may be revised downward after more accurate mapping. Initial estimates are often rough calculations based on limited information. Once proper aerial surveys and GPS mapping occur, the official acreage may be adjusted to reflect the actual burned area more accurately.

Questions About Using the Map

Q: Can I use this map on my mobile phone?

A: Yes! The wildfire map is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices. The interface adapts to smaller screens, though the control panel moves to the top on phones for better usability. All features remain accessible on tablets and smartphones.

Q: Can I zoom in to see my specific address?

A: Yes, you can zoom in to street-level detail using the standard map controls (+ button, mouse wheel, or pinch gestures on mobile). However, remember that fire perimeters are approximate and should not be used to determine specific property threats. Always follow official local evacuation guidance.

Q: Why isn’t the map loading or showing any fires?

A: Common troubleshooting steps:

• Check your internet connection
• Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
• Try refreshing the page (F5 or Cmd+R)
• Clear your browser cache
• Try a different browser
• Check if the NIFC data feeds are operational (rare outages occur)

If problems persist, the NIFC data service may be temporarily down for maintenance.

Q: Can I share a specific view of the map?

A: Currently, the map doesn’t support permalink URLs for specific views. However, you can share the main page URL and provide instructions on which filters to apply (date range, fire size, etc.) to recreate a similar view.

Q: Does the map work offline?

A: No, the wildfire map requires an active internet connection to load current data from NIFC servers. The map cannot function in offline mode since it relies on real-time data feeds.

Questions About Data Accuracy and Reliability

Q: How accurate are the fire locations?

A: Fire incident point locations are generally accurate within a few hundred feet to a mile, depending on how they were reported. Fire perimeters are accurate to approximately 100-500 feet depending on mapping method and terrain. Accuracy is highest for large, well-mapped fires and lower for small or very recent incidents.

Q: Can I rely on this map for evacuation decisions?

A: Absolutely not. This map is for informational purposes only and should never be used for life-safety decisions. Fire conditions change rapidly, and data delays mean the map may not reflect current dangers. Always:

• Follow official evacuation orders from local authorities
• Monitor local emergency alerts and news
• Contact your county emergency management office
• Visit Inciweb.nwcg.gov for incident-specific updates

Q: Why do some fires disappear from the map?

A: Fires are removed from active incident data when:

• They’re declared 100% contained
• Fire activity ends, and they’re no longer actively managed
• They’re merged with other incidents
• Incident commanders declare them controlled

The NIFC database focuses on active, uncontained incidents requiring management resources.

Q: Are all US wildfires included in this map?

A: No. The map includes fires reported to NIFC, which represent the most significant wildland fires on federal, state, and tribal lands. Not included:

• Very small fires (typically under 10 acres)
• Urban structure fires
• Fires managed entirely by local fire departments
• Some private land fires
• International fires (Canada, Mexico)

Q: What if I notice incorrect information?

A: Data displayed on this map comes directly from official NIFC sources. If you believe there’s an error in the fire data itself (not a display issue), contact the managing agency listed for that specific incident or NIFC directly through their website at nifc.gov.

Questions About Fire Behavior and Safety

Q: How fast do wildfires spread?

A: Wildfire spread rates vary enormously based on:

• Fuel type (grass fires fastest, forest fires slower)
• Wind speed and direction
• Terrain (fires move faster uphill)
• Humidity and temperature
• Fuel moisture content

Grass fires can spread at 5-10+ mph in high winds. Forest fires typically spread 0.5-2 mph but can accelerate dramatically. In extreme conditions with strong winds, fires have been documented spreading 1-2 miles in mere minutes.

Q: What causes most wildfires?

A: Nationally, wildfire causes approximately:

• 85% human-caused (equipment, campfires, debris burning, arson, power lines)
• 15% natural (lightning)

The proportion varies by region. Western forests have more lightning-caused fires, while human-caused fires dominate near populated areas.

Q: What is “fire weather” and why does it matter?

A: Fire weather refers to meteorological conditions that promote fire ignition and rapid spread:

• High temperatures (90°F+)
• Low relative humidity (under 20%)
• Strong winds (15+ mph)
• Low fuel moisture

The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings when fire weather conditions create extreme fire danger, indicating any fires that start will spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

Q: When is wildfire season?

A: Wildfire season varies by region:

• West Coast: May-November (peak: July-October)
• Southwest: April-June (spring) and July-September (monsoon season can reduce activity)
• Great Basin: June-September
• Rocky Mountains: July-September
• Southeast: February-May (spring season)
• Great Plains: February-April (spring) and August-October (fall)

Climate change has extended fire seasons, with some regions now experiencing year-round fire activity.

Q: What should I do if I live near a wildfire?

A: If you live in a wildfire-prone area:

Before Fire Season:

• Create defensible space (clear vegetation within 100 feet)
• Harden your home (non-combustible roofing, ember-resistant vents)
• Develop an evacuation plan with multiple routes
• Prepare a go-bag with essentials
• Sign up for local emergency alerts

During Fire Season:

• Monitor fire conditions and air quality
• Stay informed through local news and emergency services
• Be ready to evacuate on short notice
• Keep the vehicle fueled and facing outward
• Have important documents accessible

If Threatened:

• Follow all evacuation orders immediately
• Never wait to see the fire
• Notify neighbors
• Take pets and a go-bag only
• Close all windows and doors
• Turn off the gas at the meter if time permits

Technical and Development Questions

Q: Can I embed this map on my own website?

A: Yes! The map is designed to be embedded in WordPress sites and other platforms. Use the provided HTML embed code and upload the CSS and JavaScript files to your server. Full instructions are included in the installation files.

Q: Is the code open source?

A: The code is provided for use, but please check the license terms. The map uses open-source libraries (Leaflet.js) and publicly available data from NIFC. If you modify or redistribute the code, please provide attribution.

Q: Can I access the wildfire data programmatically?

A: Yes! NIFC provides public GeoJSON APIs that don’t require authentication. Developers can access the same data feeds used by this map. Visit the NIFC ArcGIS REST Services directory for endpoint documentation.

Q: What browsers are supported?

A: The map supports all modern browsers:

• Chrome/Edge (recommended)
• Firefox
• Safari
• Mobile browsers on iOS and Android

Internet Explorer is not supported. For best performance, use the latest browser version.

Q: Can the map handle large numbers of fires?

A: Yes, the map efficiently handles hundreds of simultaneous fire incidents through optimized rendering and data management. During extreme fire seasons with 50+ large fires, performance remains smooth on modern devices.

Questions About Climate Change and Wildfire Trends

Q: Are wildfires getting worse due to climate change?

A: Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates yes. Key trends:

• Fire season length has increased by 27% since the 1970s
• The average fire size has doubled since the 1980s
• The frequency of mega-fires (100,000+ acres) has increased significantly
• Earlier snowmelt extends the dry season
• Higher temperatures increase fuel aridity

Climate change doesn’t cause individual fires but creates conditions that make fires more likely, larger, and more severe.

Q: What are the long-term trends in US wildfire activity?

A: Over the past 30 years:

• Annual acres burned increased from ~3 million to 7-10 million
• The number of acres burned in mega-fires increased 5-fold
• Fire season extended by 2-3 months in many regions
• Suppression costs increased from ~$500 million to $2+ billion annually

While the number of individual fire starts hasn’t changed dramatically, the size and severity of fires has increased markedly.

Q: How does this map help with wildfire research?

A: Researchers use wildfire tracking data to:

• Study spatial patterns and fire clustering
• Analyze temporal trends and seasonality
• Correlate fire activity with climate variables
• Assess ecosystem impacts and recovery
• Evaluate firefighting resource effectiveness
• Model future fire risk under climate scenarios

Real-time data feeds enable near-real-time analysis of emerging patterns.

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Stay Informed and Stay Safe

The US Wildfire Timeline Map provides valuable situational awareness during fire season, but remember it’s just one tool in a comprehensive safety strategy. Always prioritize official emergency communications, maintain defensible space around your property, and have a solid evacuation plan.

For official wildfire information and incident updates, visit:

• National Interagency Fire Center: nifc.gov
• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov
• Ready.gov Wildfires: ready.gov/wildfires
• Local county emergency management websites

Bookmark this wildfire map and check back regularly during fire season to stay informed about wildfire activity across the United States. Share this resource with friends, family, and community members in fire-prone areas.