These Are The Detailed Fire Maps You’ve Been Waiting For!

Screen Shot 2015-08-03 at 5.52.41 AM

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UPDATE August 4: Updated maps are now available. Click here to go to the August 4 versions.

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Original post: We’ve heard a lot of readers asking for detailed maps of the areas affected by fires, so we’ve put together this post that is filled with ridiculously detailed maps. These are the most recent maps available (Timestamps can be found in the corners of the PDF’s).

Located at the bottom of this post are thumbnails of the detailed PDF maps. In order to see the PDF’s full size, click the thumbnail and the PDF will open in your browser (assuming your computer hasn’t blocked popups from opening). It may take a few seconds for the maps to load, so give it some time.

For a much more immersive, 3D-type experience, we have a download set up for our readers who have Google Earth installed on their devices. Click this link for the Google Earth map. (Give it some time to download.)

For those of you who don’t feel comfortable downloading the file, there’s also this link that works with Google Maps (This one isn’t a download).

If you have any thoughts, questions or technical difficulties, let us know in the comment section.

Update 2:31 p.m.: Here’s a link to a new map of the Mad River Complex on InciWeb.

Aerial Lightning Complex A

Lightning Complex: Aerial Full

Lightning Complex A Topographic map

Lightning Complex: Topographic Full

Lightning Complex A Aerial North

Lightning Complex: Aerial North

Lightning Complex A Topographic North

Lightning Complex: Topographic North

Lightning Complex A Aerial South

Lightning Complex: Aerial South

Lightning Complex A Topographic South

Lightning Complex: Topographic South

Mad River Complex Map

Mad River Complex

Fork Complex: Full

Fork Complex: Full

Fork Complex South Map

Fork Complex: South

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104 Comments
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Deborah
Guest
Deborah
8 years ago

Wow Kym, these are fantastic. Medal of Honor Badge for you. Thank you.

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Deborah

Oliver did this! Isn’t he amazing?

Uti
Guest
Uti
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thanks for the work Oliver.

Uti
Guest
Uti
8 years ago

Thanks Kym! Just what I wanted.

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Uti

Oliver stayed up all night putting the information together in this easy to access format. He deserves a standing ovation.

ED Denson
Guest
ED Denson
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I’m standing. Amazing work.

Joseph Elfelt
Guest
8 years ago

Thanks for posting a link to the fire map based on google maps. I’m the guy that produced that map.

For anyone who is wondering, yes, there is a map legend. Click “About this map” in the upper left corner. The page that appears also includes useful info for using the map.

Joseph

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Elfelt

Awesome work, Joseph!

Uti
Guest
Uti
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Elfelt

Fantastic job Joseph!

It works perfectly and I especially like being able to control the the overlays. I immediately ditched the wind direction arrows.

TT
Guest
TT
8 years ago
Reply to  Uti

Not to say the arrows are not fascinating eh? They all look to be all pointing to the hot fire. Predicting the direction of the fire is some science? Hydraulics in the air. Thanks Oliver & Joseph.

Uti
Guest
Uti
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Elfelt

For anyone using this map check out the drop down menus to customize the data shown on your view, the overlays are in the upper right corner drop down marked “Hybrid”.

BubbaB
Guest
BubbaB
8 years ago

Thanks Kim!!! Absolutely fantastic!!! 🙂

Deborah
Guest
Deborah
8 years ago

Sounds like a group effort. Badges for everyone! And don’t tell me you don’t need no stinking badges! Even Humphrey Bogart would agree.

amimissingsomething
Guest
amimissingsomething
8 years ago

Thank you Kym… You rock it!

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago

High five!! We have Oliver on our team and our behind the scenes computer whiz working on smoothing stuff out.

d
Guest
d
8 years ago

thank you! been checking your website hourly. we really appreciate your help kym !

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  d

Glad we can help. This is a wonderful place to live and we need to do as much as possible to help people make the hard decisions they are facing with these fires.

ekanfromdows
Guest
ekanfromdows
8 years ago

Excellent reporting all around! Makes this former journalism major proud!

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  ekanfromdows

Big toothy grin! Oliver deserves a lot of kudos for this!

Rose
Guest
Rose
8 years ago

Thank you Kym & Co! You guys are amazing.

anamenia
Guest
anamenia
8 years ago

Where are these maps coming from? It feels like they aren’t trying to get these out to the people. Thank you for sharing… Inciweb is a joke. They are trying to not give information and it is becoming obvious.

brian
Guest
brian
8 years ago
Reply to  anamenia

Go fight the fire yourself – draw a map -and shut up.

Joseph Elfelt
Guest
8 years ago
Reply to  anamenia

Ultimately the data you see on any fire map most likely originates on a GIS (Geographical Information System) server. The feds operate various GIS servers and CalFire has one also.

Some online maps can display data straight from those GIS servers. Those maps will tend to have the most recent data.

Other maps display a file that contains data that was exported from a GIS server. If the GIS server is updated with new info but the file still shows the old info, then those maps will be a bit out of date until someone can make a new file with the most recent data contained on the GIS server.

Joseph

Worried
Guest
Worried
8 years ago

Has anybody seen or know where to find more info on the Bear Fire in the Gasquet Ranger District? Really concerned about the Bear Basin Lookout/Pierson Cabin and wondering where it is in proximity to those structures and which direction it’s moving. Thanks for any info/links.

Hate the Leo's
Guest
Hate the Leo's
8 years ago

Hi,
This is great info. Thank you for compiling. I have a greater question though. Why in the midst of this struggle are there federal law enforcement officers breaking the law to harass and arrest people who’ve already lost their homes and are fleeing with what little they can stuff into their cars. I am so angry, confused and dissapointed. We as a community need to confront this is and fast. Whether you are up to something or not we are all Americans and this is a crisis and disaster and we should all be on the same team. Helping each other to survive. Period. Thanks for listening.

Sasha
Guest
Sasha
8 years ago
Reply to  Hate the Leo's

Where did this happen? I don’t need an exact location, just a general vicinity.

Ghostown
Guest
Ghostown
8 years ago
Reply to  Hate the Leo's

Word.

Grumpy
Guest
Grumpy
8 years ago
Reply to  Hate the Leo's

The feds are searching cars at road blocks, without a search warrant, this is a new low even for feds pigs.
If you say no to search they do it anyway, how can these thugs get away with this..It’s time some of the local Pot Lawyers start asking questions..I ‘m sending an e mail to forest circus chief Tidwell and asking him.

sohumbornsghost
Guest
sohumbornsghost
8 years ago

Hugs to Oliver! Not the creepy uncomfortable kind – the quick cheerful kind!

Lani
Guest
Lani
8 years ago

Kim and crew. As I look at these maps, I can see one of the reasons we moved here years ago and have stayed here since. These maps are a symbol of what can be done when people get together to help each other in what ever way they can. A function of a rural area inhabited by almost every type of person there is. Thank you one and all. Now those of you who were up all night putting together these wonderful maps, go curl up in bed and get all the sleep you can. Thanks again.

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Lani

I slept a little while Oliver worked. Now he’s going to sleep while I’m on.

trackback

[…] First, at the bottom under Earlier Chapters are links to our previous coverage. Much of it still very relevant. Particularly note our newest fire maps. […]

saucy
Guest
saucy
8 years ago

According to the picture at very top of article, the blocksburg fire isn’t even as big as the two fires that are bordering the river in AP. I thought blocksburg was the biggest BESIDES the ruth lake/ mad river fire? Anyone?

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  saucy

One thing for sure is the danger to the town. Until the backfire, Cal Fire was very concerned that it would be affected. Other fires don’t have as much potential for damage.

local
Guest
local
8 years ago

Any more info on the Blake Mountain Fire? Havent heard any information, just the hotspots on maps.

nines
Guest
8 years ago

After Oliver wakes up, has a little coffee, has his wits back, and before Kym drops, I’m going to come squealing adoration down out of the cyber-sky to smother them with kisses.

Martin's
Guest
Martin's
8 years ago

Thanks to Kym, Oliver & Joseph for going above & beyond the call of duty. You guys rock! We would have so little information without you guys. Know that you are appreciated by the masses. and omg the fire map has great detail….thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank your families for us too, we know the fires are consuming most of your time. Sleep well, eat healthy, stay hydrated & keep up the good work. Thanks to all the firefighters & volunteers, we so appreciate you…stay safe.

Kym Kemp
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Martin's

Hugs!

mike mcmilan
Guest
mike mcmilan
8 years ago

yes EXCELLENT work, thanks! Though it looks to me that the base topo map for the Fork Complex shows Hwy 36 in its old historic location. (It headed north at Wildwood, followed the creek where 13 Dips Road is now, went thru old Peanut, then southwest along what’s now Rattlesnake Rd. The new highway tracks closer to the powerline or pipeline farther south.)

Grumpy
Guest
Grumpy
8 years ago
Reply to  mike mcmilan

You are right this map must be from the 60s..it does show Hwy 36 in it’s old location..WTF

clearlake fool
Guest
clearlake fool
8 years ago
Deanna
Guest
Deanna
8 years ago

Hi, thank you so much for these maps!! Our 6 year old son is visiting my parents in Hayfork (we’re in Virginia). They have just been evacuated. Can you tell me what the time lag is on the Google maps?

Joseph Elfelt
Guest
8 years ago
Reply to  Deanna

Good question. I just realized how you can get at least part of the answer.

The fire perimeter and area that has burned (cross hatch) is developed by the GeoMAC team based on various sources of data combined with human judgment. If you click on the crosshatch you will see a popup. Find the section titled “GIS layer: Current Fire Perimeters (1)”.
1. That section has “time” expressed with a 24hr clock
2. That section also has “date” with a string of numbers. (unix timestamp)

Copy the date.
Go to http://www.onlineconversion.com/unix_time.htm
Paste the date into the box at the top labelled Unix TimeStamp
Click Submit

You now have the date and time when the perimeter and area burned was last updated on the GeoMAC GIS server.

Note! Some fire maps, including Inciweb, are produced by exporting the perimeter data from the GeoMAC GIS server, saving that data in a file and then those maps display that file. As soon as the the data on the server is updated those file-based maps are out of date until someone downloads a exports a new file from the GIS server. The Google map link that Kym posted (I am the developer) always gets its data straight from the GeoMAC GIS server and other GIS servers.

IIRC, the MODIS data (red dots and circles) is updated 4 times per day. Here is some info about MODIS that might shed light.
http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/dataprod/nontech/MOD14.php

The NOAA wind data is updated 4 (6?) times per day.

Deanna
Guest
Deanna
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Elfelt

Joseph, thank you for the additional information and directions, I was able to do that. (For anyone else trying, I found I had to take a few zeros off the end of the unix timestamp, maybe due to my computer settings or something.)

Joseph Elfelt
Guest
8 years ago
Reply to  Deanna

I am going to tweak my code to do that conversion so when you click the map and see the popup the “date” field will show a human readable date. Hope to get that done tomorrow

trackback

[…] post under Earlier Chapters are links to our previous coverage. Much of it still very relevant. Particularly note our newest fire maps. We’ll be updating them throughout the […]

Bump
Guest
Bump
8 years ago

wildlandfire.org is a good one also with interactive google map

Deanna
Guest
Deanna
8 years ago
Reply to  Bump

Thanks!

trackback

[…] we noticed that a lot of people found our detailed maps useful, so we have some updated maps for everyone who’s been […]

Joseph Elfelt
Guest
8 years ago

Rocky Fire
The federal GeoMAC server now has an updated fire perimeter showing where the fire crossed highway 20. Look at the crosshatch area at the NW corner of the fire:

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=38.948727,-122.470926&z=11&t=h,MODIS_thermal,Wind_in_6_hrs,Fires&q=http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/fires/wildland_fires_basic.txt

Also, anyone can make their own custom map link for any fire.
1. Drag the map or do Menu==> Search
2. Make the map look the way you want it to look (turn on/off layers)
3. Click Menu ==> Link to this map
The link you see will replicate the map on your screen.

If you have any questions the best way to reach me is email. See:
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_contact.html

Joseph

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