Documentation
Comprehensive guide to the Firevector wildfire observation platform.
About Firevector
Firevector is a full-stack wildfire observation platform that digitizes the NWCG fire behavior observation form and computes derived fire behavior metrics in real time. It was designed and built for Cal OES and the firefighting community as a free, open-source tool to modernize field data collection and fire behavior analysis.
Open Source: Firevector is released under the MIT License. It is free to use, modify, and distribute. The complete source code is available on GitHub.
Core Concepts
Understanding the key fire behavior metrics that Firevector calculates.
Effective Wind Speed (EWS)
EWS combines midflame wind speed with slope contribution to represent the total wind effect on fire spread. Calculated as: EWS = midflame_ws + slope_contribution
EWS Ratio
The ratio of maximum to minimum EWS between observed and predicted values. Indicates whether fire behavior is aligning with predictions. A ratio of 1.0 means observed matches predicted exactly.
Rate of Spread (ROS)
Projected ROS is computed from observed ROS and the EWS ratio. If fire is spreading faster than predicted, ROS is multiplied by the ratio. If slower, it is divided.
LCES Safety Checklist
The four elements of the LCES safety protocol: Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones. All four must be confirmed before field engagement.
Observation Workflow
Create a New Observation
Navigate to New Observation from the sidebar. The guided walkthrough will introduce each section of the form on your first visit.
Fill in Incident Details
Enter the incident name, your observer name, date/time, and GPS coordinates. Use the location picker or enter coordinates manually.
Record Environmental Conditions
Document relative humidity and fuel types present at the observation point — litter, grass, and/or crown fuels.
Enter Wind & Slope Data
Input both observed and predicted wind speeds (eye-level and midflame) along with slope contribution. The EWS and EWS Ratio are computed automatically as you type.
Record Rate of Spread
Enter the observed rate of spread and direction. The projected ROS is calculated in real time from the EWS ratio.
Add Observation Log Entries
Create timestamped log entries to document fire behavior changes, weather shifts, and operational notes throughout the observation period.
Complete LCES Safety Check
Confirm all four safety elements are in place. An observation cannot be marked complete until the LCES checklist is fully verified.
Save or Complete
Save as a draft to continue later, or mark complete to finalize the observation. Completed observations appear in your dashboard with full calculated metrics.
Hazard Map
The dashboard includes a multi-layer hazard map with real-time data overlays.
Observation Pins
NASA FIRMS Fire Hotspots
Weather Overlay
Earthquake Data
Map Styles
Data Sources
| Source | Data | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) | Satellite fire detections | Every 3 hours |
| USGS Earthquake Hazards | Seismic events M2.5+ | Every 5 minutes |
| OpenWeatherMap | Temperature tiles | Every 10 minutes |
| Mapbox | Map tiles, terrain DEM | Continuous |
Attribution
Firevector was designed and developed by Brian Gorzelic of AI Aerial Solutions. Built for Cal OES and the firefighting community. Released as free, open-source software under the MIT License.
For support, feature requests, or contributions, visit the GitHub repository or contact [email protected].