Wildfire map – Greece

What is VIIRS?

VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) is a sensor on the NOAA-20 and Suomi NPP satellites that provides thermal-anomaly data at 375 m spatial resolution, which can indicate fires.

How often is the data updated?

Our app pulls data from NASA FIRMS and updates it every 5 minutes. The VIIRS satellites provide coverage twice a day for each area.

What does FRP (Fire Radiative Power) mean?

FRP represents the energy emitted by a fire, measured in megawatts (MW). Higher FRP values indicate more intense fires, while lower values may represent smaller fires or false detections.

What does the "confidence" of a fire mean?

The confidence level (low, medium, high) shows the likelihood that the detected point is a real fire. High-confidence points are more likely to represent actual fires, while low-confidence points may be false detections.

Why aren't fires shown that I know are currently active?

There are several reasons for this:

1. The fire may be very recent and the satellite has not yet passed over the area.
2. Clouds may be blocking the detection.
3. The fire may be too small to be detected by the satellite.

How is the nearest location to a fire calculated?

We use the OpenStreetMap (Nominatim) API to find the nearest city or village to the fire's coordinates. We then calculate the distance and direction of the fire from that location.

What are the basic fire-prevention measures at home and outdoors?

For fire prevention:

• Do not burn rubbish or dry grass, especially during the summer months.
• Do not light outdoor grills in forest areas or near dry grass.
• Avoid work that produces sparks, such as welding, in areas with dry vegetation.
• Do not throw lit cigarettes on the ground.
• Keep the areas around your home clean by removing dry grass and branches.

How can I protect my home if it is near a forest?

To protect your home:

• Create a firebreak zone by clearing the area around the house.
• Prune trees so they are at least 5 metres from the house.
• Remove flammable materials from the yard and terraces.
• Use non-flammable materials in gutters and pipes.
• Keep outdoor areas clean and well maintained.

How can I help prevent wildfires as a citizen?

You can:

• Avoid actions that may cause a fire.
• Immediately inform the authorities if you notice smoke or fire.
• Take part in local clean-up and awareness initiatives.
• Stay informed about the fire-risk levels in your area.

What are the main causes of wildfires?

The main causes are:

• Human negligence (e.g. burning waste, cigarettes).
• Electrical faults or sparks from machinery.
• Arson, whether intentional or through negligence.
• Natural phenomena such as lightning.

What are the effects of wildfires on the environment and health?

Wildfires cause:

• Destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
• CO₂ emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Reduced air quality and respiratory problems.
• Economic losses due to destruction of infrastructure and property.