Time Lapse Notes:
1. What does a data point mean? Without getting into specifics, a point means that there is a high likelihood of fire within 500 meters (1/2 kilometer) of the point at the date and time listed on the right. This data is not from field observations. It is remotely sensed from two satellites, Aqua and Terra, using the MODIS imaging device. As such small fires will not show up unless they are very intense, large Due to the size of the dot icon when zoomed out the extent of the fire looks much larger than it is in reality. Also realize that the entire area of Southern California is not imaged on each pass of the satellite so a lack of data points in an area from one pass to the next is possible.
2. Where does this data come from? The data is obtained from this website: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/. They have processed the raw satellite imagery into the likely hotspots using a procedure developed by the University of Maryland. My apologies to those who's Google Maps pages I've used the hack this together.
3. What do the colors mean? Red Hollow Square: Active fire within 12 hours Red Circle: active fire 12-24 hours ago Orange Circle: active fire 24-48 hours ago Yellow: Active fire over 48 hours ago These time ranges are approximate. Use the time listed to know exactly when the satellite passed. GMT is 7 hours ahead of California.
4. Why did you make this map? I was frustrated with what I could find about where the wildfires are burning. I can't imaging how frustrating it would be if my home was in a threatened area. After a little poking around I found this data and used Google Maps to display it. KPBS does have a really good Google Map as well, but it only covers the San Diego area.
5. I am by no means an expert with building websites or using the Google Maps API. I threw this together as fast as I could in one evening. If you have any suggestions please post them to the comments section on my blog here. I would really like to get feedback with any ideas on how to improve this page. I'm going to be updated this page as I have time.
My thoughts and prayers are with those in the midst of this disaster.
-Jon Markel, Oct 23, 2007
Change Log:
23 Oct, Midnight: Initial post
24 Oct, 9:00a: Fixed IE issues, added new data from over night, changed times to Pacific Daylight Time.
24 Oct, 5:00p: Additional data added
25 Oct, 9:00a: Additional data added
25 Oct, 5:00p: Additional data added
26 Oct, 9:00a: Additional data added
26 Oct, 5:00p: Additional data added; Last update until Monday Oct 29