Google map tracks deadly Australia bushfires

Google Australia engineers have created a Flash map to keep track of the deadly bushfires ravaging the southeastern part of the country and help reduce the traffic burden to the official sites coordinating emergency services.

The fires, which have reportedly claimed more than 100 lives, are being tracked in real-time with information provided by the State of Victoria's Country Fire Authority via an RSS feed. The numbers on the map markers indicate the number of fires at that location and the colors represent the current containment status of that site (green represents safe, yellow for controlled, orange for contained, and red going).

"We hope that it's of some use to people who may be affected, to emergency services personnel, and that it takes some load off other websites which are being inundated," the team wrote in a blog posting. "The map certainly makes the scale of this disaster immediately apparent."

The team says it is working to incorporate additional information into the map and also offers tips for Web site operators who want to embed the map on their sites.

Additionally, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has posted a Google-powered map on its site.

The blog Liako.Biz has posted an examination of how data portability allows for these maps to be created.

[wth31]

ABC is using a microsoft virtual earth map..... It's at the bottom of the page that you link to.

[stevenmusil]

It appears that ABC has swapped in a Microsoft map. The map that appeared when I first visited the site is posted at the bottom of this blog.

[Lil_Ozzie]

Thank God for the changing weather!! We are all feeling the sense of community right now and help is coming from EVERYWHERE!

[AlternateRoute]

ABC = Australian Broadcasting Corporation (not Company)

[joshdeboer]

Our prayers are with you all.

[jedmmj11]

thank you

this is really sad. however it's driving awareness of social media (particularly twitter) in melbourne

[kaifanun]

As Southern California resident, my harts and prayers to the effected people and the firefighters.

I?m just curious. Why add the extra layer of Flash. Why make flash maps where Google maps can display the exactly same info on the Google map? Los Angeles County Fire Department was using the Google map to provide live fire status on their last 2008 firestorms.

[shaunantle]

I just want to say that my heart goes out to all of those affected by this unbelievable tragedy. My wife and I live in North Western Canada. Our prayers are with you. May God sustain you and keep you and may God open up the heavens and provide the rain needed in your country. I pray that somehow help will come from every corner of the earth and it will just be another chance for humanity to reverse itself and become a friend to those in need. Please know that we are praying and words cannot express our pain for you and that is nothing compared to those of you actually GOING through this.

God Bless.
Shaun & Tara Antle

[ricksted]

This is to Chris Thornton of Melbourne...hey Chris, we hope that you are safe and our prayers are with your family and you at this time. In California we are suffering through the third year of our drought and no doubt will face wildfires this year as a result. Remember the good ole days on Nubel Lane (the city fathers are still looking for that street sign you lifted) - those times will always be. Dad

[lilyandfrank]

Hi there, This to everyone who cares about those who are suffering from our terrible bushfires AND the dreadful flooding in Australia.
I believe the power of thought is a force to be reckoned with and hope you all use it.
If everyone (no matter where you live) joined in at your own bed time (no matter what time) and gave a prayer/wish of genuine caring, love, whatever you want (so long as it is a positive thought).
As you lie down to sleep send your prayers/wishes to those who have been displaced or have lost loved ones, it only requires a couple of minutes of your time.
This will cause a continuous wave of prayers/wishes being sent to those in need, somewhere in the world the emanations from those prayers/wishes will be broadcast around the planet.
Imagine all that love/caring circulating the planet.
ps.Starting tonight would set the chain of wellbeing off that much quicker.
pps. Remember to keep a little of those prayers/wishes for yourself.