In an emergency, knowing where thermal activity has been detected is important. Understanding which direction the wind is blowing helps provide a better understanding of the context. That’s why, just a few days after launching our fire layer based on NASA FIRMS, we’ve added a new optional layer showing wind direction and speed to the map of Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns, available on the website and in the app.

NEW LAYER · WEB AND APP

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.

Wind at 10 m, speed in km/h. Source: Open-Meteo

Costa atlántica virgen bajo fuertes rachas de viento con el logotipo oficial de Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España — Wind is part of the landscape and also part of the context that helps interpret an emergency.

A TOOL TO INFORM AND HELP

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.

HOW TO READ IT

Arrows for direction, numbers for wind speed

Direction: Each arrow points in the direction the wind is blowing at that point on the grid.

Speed The associated number is expressed in kilometers per hour to provide an immediate reading.

Height The data corresponds to modeled wind at 10 meters above the surface.

Update: The platform refreshes the data periodically and temporarily retains the latest reading if the source is unresponsive.

Mapa interactivo web con las capas de incendios y viento activadas — Live view of the website with NASA FIRMS thermal detections and the wind layer enabled.

TWO COMPLEMENTARY SOURCES

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.

ALSO ON YOUR PHONE

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.

Mapa de la app con las capas de incendios y viento activadas — Live view of the app: wind direction, animated trails, and thermal detections all in one view.

TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

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.

Open the interactive map

Sources: NASA FIRMS / LANCE for thermal detections and Open-Meteo for wind direction and speed at 10 meters. Both layers are informative and indicative. They do not constitute an official alert, a spread forecast, or an emergency directive. In the event of any risk, always follow the instructions from Civil Protection and 112.