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.
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers. E-mail Steven. 
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.
God Bless.
Shaun & Tara Antle
- by lilyandfrank March 2, 2009 10:30 PM PST
- Hi there, This to everyone who cares about those who are suffering from our terrible bushfires AND the dreadful flooding in Australia.
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(11 Comments)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.