Wildfire app turns neighbours into a powerful early-warning network

Wildfire Watch - Harnessing local knowledge to warn neighbours of impending danger. Credit: INFOCA & WW Wildfires can evolve rapidly, and those living in the countryside and hills of Spain understand the importance of early detection. During a recent wildfire in Benahavis, residents turned to Wildfire Watch for firsthand accounts and updates.

While many were awaiting Spain’s ES-Alert emergency system, the Wildfire Watch community was already sharing real-time information about the situation on the ground. For residents in areas like the Montemayor urbanisation that were later evacuated, these reports provided valuable insights during a tense situation. The app was conceived by software developer Bas Buur, who lived in Mijas for ten years.

His connection with the local community sparked a project that has now expanded into a larger wildfire information network. Wildfire Watch didn’t start as an app. In 2012, Jill founded the original Wildfire Watch Facebook group after a tragic fire in Malaga Province that claimed two lives. Initially, the group was a platform for members to quickly share vital information.

However, managing the growing number of posts became challenging. Jill had to assign shifts to moderators, and sometimes she had ten tabs open at once to gather all the information. This experience highlighted the limitations of relying solely on social media during a fast-moving emergency. Inspired by the Facebook Wildfire Watch group, Bas saw the potential to transform the platform into a dedicated wildfire reporting service.

He envisioned an app that could immediately alert users, verify photo evidence, and provide GPS location information. The app would also allow users to photograph the fire, utilize real-time official updates, and even help translate messages among international communities. What began as a passion project has grown into a community of over 150,000 people in Spain, with seven dedicated volunteers assisting in its management.

When someone spots smoke or a fire, they can report it through the app, including a photo and location. Other users can then view these reports and compare them with their own observations. This feature is particularly useful during the early stages of a fire, when residents need to determine the fire's direction, proximity to homes, and whether nearby roads are affected.

Wildfire Watch is not intended to replace emergency services or official warnings; instead, it offers an additional source of information while authorities assess the situation and issue instructions. The app also helps raise awareness about wildfire risks by providing on-the-ground insights from residents closest to the incident.

One of the most valuable aspects of Wildfire Watch is the firsthand information provided by those near an incident. Jill notes that this local knowledge is crucial for understanding the fire's behavior, wind direction, and other critical factors. During the Benahavis wildfire, residents used Wildfire Watch to gauge the situation and make informed decisions.

The network can also receive information from official organizations and emergency personnel. A translate button in the app ensures that communication is seamless, regardless of the users' native language. This feature is especially beneficial for international communities, such as those living in fire-prone areas across the Costa Blanca, Almeria, and Costa del Sol.

With more than 150,000 users, maintaining reliable reports becomes increasingly important. To address this, Bas is working on an update to include a verification process for reports, preventing false alarms. Currently, the app covers the Valencia and Andalucia regions but plans to expand to other areas of Spain that could benefit from its services.

While official emergency alerts remain crucial for evacuation orders and urgent actions, Wildfire Watch provides a unique platform for neighbours to share what they observe and support one another. Its development demonstrates how a simple local initiative can evolve into a broader network, offering residents another tool when the first signs of a wildfire appear. Wildfire Watch is available for free on Android and iOS devices.