How to read a wildfire map: fires, perimeters, evacuation zones and smoke
A plain-language guide to reading a live wildfire map: what flame markers, fire perimeters, evacuation zones, air quality, and fire bans actually mean.
A wildfire map packs a lot of information into a small space, and during a busy fire season knowing how to read one quickly is a real safety skill. This guide explains the main things you will see on a live map and what each one tells you. You can follow along on our free wildfire map or in the WildFire-Ready app, which cover Western Canada and 18 western US states.
Flame markers: where fires are
The flame icons or coloured dots mark individual fires reported by official sources. Tapping or clicking one usually opens details such as the fire’s name, estimated size, and status. Status matters most. A fire listed as out of control is actively growing and unpredictable. Being held means it is not expected to grow under current conditions. Under control means crews expect to fully contain it. A marker shows a point, not the true shape or reach of the fire, so never judge your distance from a fire by the icon alone.
Perimeters: the actual footprint
A fire perimeter is a shaded or outlined area showing the mapped boundary of a fire’s burned or active extent. It is a far better picture of size and direction than a single point. Perimeters are updated as agencies fly or map the fire, so the line can lag the real edge by hours, especially on a fast-moving day. Treat a perimeter as the minimum extent, not the maximum, and remember that embers can start spot fires well beyond it.
Evacuation zones: orders and alerts
Evacuation areas are usually drawn as shaded zones tied to a status. An evacuation alert means be ready to leave on short notice. An evacuation order means leave now. These zones come from the local authority responsible for your area, and they are the part of the map you should check first if a fire is nearby. If your home falls inside an order, act on it immediately and do not wait to reassess. Our companion guide on what to do when an evacuation order is issued walks through the steps.
Smoke and air quality
Many maps include an air quality layer. In Canada this is often the Air Quality Health Index, a scale where higher numbers mean greater risk. Smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres, so your air can be unhealthy even when no fire is near you. Use the air quality layer to decide whether to limit time outdoors, run a clean-air space indoors, or wear a properly fitted respirator. People with heart or lung conditions, older adults, young children, and pregnant people are most affected.
Fire bans and restrictions
Some maps show fire bans or restrictions for an area. These tell you whether open fires, campfires, or certain equipment are currently prohibited. Honouring a ban is one of the simplest ways to prevent a human-caused fire, which make up a large share of wildfire starts. Always confirm the current rules with the responsible agency before you light anything.
Reading the map as a whole
Layers are most useful together. A fire marker tells you something is burning, the perimeter shows how big and which way it is heading, the evacuation zone tells you whether you need to act, and the air quality layer tells you how to protect your lungs. Always check the timestamp on live data so you know how fresh it is, and treat the map as one input alongside official orders from your local authority.
To go deeper on any of these topics, browse our wildfire safety library. When you are ready to watch your own area, open the live map and look up your region.
See live fires, evacuation alerts, air quality, and road closures for Western Canada and 18 western US states on our free live map, then run through the preparedness checklists before fire season.
More from our wildfire news and safety updates.