Google Maps is tracking the spread of Americas wildfires hour by hour – Engadget

As wildfires continue to tear through parts of California and Colorado, Google has actually introduced brand-new tools to assist people remain informed about their progress. Starting today, Google search queries for details about the fires will turn up more than simply newspaper article and alerts– theyll also display maps of the fires boundaries. The Google Maps app will show the same wildfire borders to individuals attempting to delight in the height of summer close by, and will also provide warnings and “ambient alerts” to those who begin to approach affected locations.
Heres the most important part: That vital fire map details is being updated hourly. To ensure individuals get the most precise view possible, Google has been using its Google Earth Engines analytics tools to keep an eye on images offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations four GOES satellites. Those satellites cant directly “see” the flames, but they can see the prodigious plumes of smoke those flames produce, along with the sizable thermal hotspots that symbolize locations of extreme fire activity.