When every shift in the wind matters: We've added a new layer of wind direction data

Two layers, a more comprehensive view of the territory

Heat sources and wind don’t tell the same story, but viewing them together provides a better understanding of the situation on the map. The heat detections come from NASA FIRMS; the wind direction and speed come from Open-Meteo.

Useful information in times that call for responsibility

Spain is going through particularly difficult times, with wildfires affecting people, homes, forests, and municipalities. Our Association aims to provide an informational tool that helps residents, visitors, and local officials easily explore the region.

This tool is not intended to replace emergency services, predict how a fire will spread, or indicate evacuation routes. Its purpose is to offer more visual context and facilitate access to supplementary information, always in conjunction with the warnings and instructions from the authorities.

Arrows for direction, numbers for wind speed

NASA FIRMS shows thermal signals; Open-Meteo provides wind data

The layer presented a few days ago uses observations from the S-NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21 satellites distributed by NASA FIRMS. These points indicate thermal anomalies detected by the VIIRS instrument, not official fire perimeters.

The new layer draws on Open-Meteo and displays a rough grid over the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Both layers can be turned on or off independently to keep the map easy to read and allow each user to choose the information they need.

The information goes with you in the app

The Maps tab in the app includes the same wind toggle. When activated, arrows are superimposed on the map and can be viewed alongside recent thermal detections. The layer is disabled by default so that using it is a conscious decision and to avoid cluttering the screen.

Providing better information also means caring

At this time, we want to stand in solidarity with all those affected, with those who have had to leave their homes, and with the teams working on the ground. This tool was created with a specific purpose: to make available information more accessible, without fueling rumors or turning a technical estimate into a certainty.

We will continue to improve the map of Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns so that residents and visitors can access useful data with clarity, prudence, and respect for the work of public services.