How to Use MyFireWatch
Map Layers [+]
Layers may take a time to load, depending on the speed and availability of your internet connection. You may need to refresh your data to ensure you are getting the most recent data. Hotspots mapped are updated roughly every two to four hours depending on the availability of satellites.
To view a layer click it in the layer menu (left-hand side of the map). Selected layers will show a ticked checkbox.
Hotspots
The current hotspots layer (0-72 hours ago) is switched on by default. To view a single time period, untick 0-72 hours and choose the relevant box(es).
Map options
The default map view is Google roadmap. To use either satellite or vegetation map view, simply tick the relevant box under the map options section of the legend.
Please note the vegetation layer currently uses purple and blue to represent dense vegetation. We are working to improve this layer.
Please note the roadmap and satellite views are sourced through Google Maps and may not contain the most recent road and landmark information. Vegetation information is updated weekly.
Burnt areas
Options are available to view the areas burnt during a calendar year. There can be up to a month delay on visible data.
To view the areas burnt, tick the relevant box under the burnt areas section of the legend.
Please note the current year switches over at midnight on 1 January. This means the layer for 'this year’ will appear blank until February.
Forecast Wind
Option to visualise animated forecast wind overlay. To view this layer, click the tick box under the Forecast Wind section of the legend. Please note the wind information is forecast information sourced from NOAA's GFS weather forecasting service and not based on actual ground observations.
Lightning activity
Options are available to view lightning activity. To view this layer, click the relevant tick box under the lightning activity section of the legend.
Please note the colour indicates the time period during which the lightning activity was detected.
Navigation [+]
All layer options are available from the legend on the left of the map.
The buttons in the top right corner of the map allow you to zoom in (+) and out (-). The button with the Australian map will zoom out to reveal the whole continent.
To search for a location, enter the name of a town or a street address. Alternatively, you can enter a latitude and longitude. Enter the latitude first, followed by a comma and then the longitude.
If you are using a new browser you have the option to share your location, which will allow the map to find your location automatically. The accuracy of this can depend on the strength of your mobile phone signal or internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions [+]
What is FireWatch?
FireWatch is a suite of fire monitoring products, services and solutions developed by Landgate’s Imagery team. FireWatch uses satellite imagery to detect and report on fires as they are observed and monitor their subsequent effect on the land.
MyFireWatch:
- Provides bushfire location information in a quick and accessible form, designed for general public use. The website It is the result of a research collaboration between Landgate and Edith Cowan University.
- Provides useful map layers to assist people in the preparation and response to fire threats in their vicinity.
Other services in the suite
Aimed at meeting the needs of fire management professionals and fire behaviour scientists, including DFES and Volunteer Fire Brigades in Western Australia.
- FireWatch-Pro
- Aurora
What is a hotspot?
A hotspot is a satellite image pixel with high infrared intensity, indicating a heat source. A heat source needs to generate a certain level of heat per unit area to be detected as a hotspot. For example, the satellites we use cannot detect a campfire, and low intensity prescribed burns done in cool conditions under tree canopies are also very difficult to detect.
A bushfire can be made up of a single hotspot or many, depending on the size of the fire at the time of satellite observation. The data doesn’t differentiate whether the hotspot is a prescribed burn.
There any caveats and known problems?
- The hotspot map updates every two to four hours, depending on satellite availability.
- The colour of the icon does not indicate the severity of a fire.
- The red dot icon represents a hotspot detected in the last 12 hours. Other icons show hotspots detected 12 to 72 hours ago.
- Satellites detect heat sources above a certain temperature. Most hotspots are detected fires but may also indicate other sources such as heavy industry.
- If the satellite cannot see the ground, for example due to smoke and clouds, a hotspot will not be detected.
- The accuracy of the hotspot location is within 2 kilometres. At the edge of satellite images, the location can be up to 5 kilometres out.
- The animated wind data is an approximation of the actual forecast wind direction and speed. To retrieve accurate weather data for your location, please visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology at http://bom.gov.au
Why can't I see this fire on My FireWatch?
- Check the layers visible. If the hotspot was detected more than 72 hours ago it will no longer be visible.
- MyFireWatch was not designed to provide 'live’ updates on fire fronts. For live updates, please visit your local emergency services.
- If the satellite cannot see the ground, for example due to smoke and clouds, a hotspot won’t be detected.
- Fires may be missed if they are small or they do not cover a spatial footprint large enough to be detected by the sensor; (e.g. MODIS footprint is 1 km2).
- Satellite-derived hotspots are unlikely to detect cool fires.
- No satellite was looking over the fire ground when the fire was burning.
- Hotspots are potential bushfires, but could also indicate other phenomena, such as gas fires and heavy industry.
How to read MyFireWatch?
Please refer to the Map layers section.
How often are hotspots detected from satellites?
Hotspot detection is dependent on the frequency of satellite passes over Australia and updated several times each day.
