Find wildfire hotspots with the new and free Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer on Gaia GPS. This layer sources satellite data from NASA to show where wildfires are currently burning worldwide. Pair this layer with your favorite map to plan re-routes around hot spots, predict likely trail closures, and stay safer during fire season.
In response to the wildfires ravaging the West Coast, we’re offering the Wildfire (Satellite Detections), Wildfire (Current) and Air Quality layers for free on gaiagps.com and the mobile app. Click here to view the free maps on the web.
The Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer updates several times each day to give you up-to-date information from NASA’s satellites. NASA uses MODIS and VIIRS satellites to detect thermal anomalies around the globe, showing where wildfires are actively burning and hot. Hot spots show up on your map in purple shading. Click on the purple-shaded area to learn how and when NASA detected the thermal area.
Detect Wildfires by Pairing Satellite Detections and Current Wildfires Layers
Use the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) and Wildfires (Current) layers together to help find and avoid active wildfires on your next adventure. NASA’s satellites detect all thermal anomalies on the earth’s surface, so some hot spots may be caused by flares, volcanoes, or other heat sources. To make sure the area represents heat from a wildfire, use the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer in concert with Gaia GPS’s Wildfires (Current) layer to see what part of an active wildfire is still burning hot.
The Wildfires (Current) layer displays recent wildfire activity in red. Click the red area on the Wildfires (Current) layer and a pop up shows the fire’s name, size, activity level, and more. Some wildfires remain undetected by the Wildfires (Current) layer, especially when the fire is brand new, in a remote area, or not being actively fought. However, both detected and undetected fires will appear on the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer in purple shading if they are still hot and actively burning.
Get the New Wildfires (Satellite Detections) Layer
To access the layer, visit the layers menu and select the “Features/Weather Overlays” tab. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Wildfires (Satellite Detections).” Tap the “Add Layer“ button.
