Mapping wildfire informs communities, incident commanders, and governments to assist in making critical decisions.
Mapping the progress of wildfire reveals a terrible beauty informed by geography, climate, and weather. This map shows the progression of the Little Sand wildfire, located 16 miles north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It is in remote territory and is being allowed to progress naturally. It is watched by federal authorities just as carefully as one near developed communities due to the potential for growth and destruction of private and government property during this dry season.
The Little Sand wildfire burned completely out of control during high wind conditions until the weather calmed and it encountered the rugged and steep topography of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It broke into many scattered hot spots, each with the potential to ignite further blazes if wind conditions change.