Rows Of New Google Maps Features, Can See The Location Of Forest Fires Around The World

Forest fires around the world will be monitored via Google Maps. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA - Google Maps makes it easy to find the latest information about forest fires as part of making sure this application is more useful during an emergency.

The tech giant said that it added a new fire layer feature to Google Maps, which users can enable to view the latest details on multiple fires at once.

This new feature is quite important during fire season when many fires occur simultaneously. Google will roll out the feature globally this week, and will show all locations where major fires have occurred, to simplify evacuations around the world.

If this feature is enabled, red dots and pins on the map will show where the fires are and how far they have spread. By tapping on one of the fire locations, users can see more information, such as how many hectares have been burned, what percentage of the fires have been extinguished, and links to local emergency resources.

The Verge reported Thursday, September 30, that Maps will be updated hourly. Google uses data collected by satellites which is then processed by Google's geospatial analysis platform, Earth Engine.

Unfortunately, Google has not resolved the problem regarding the use of the fire information feature in Maps that must be connected to the internet. It can only be updated when the user is connected to the internet, but what is known when a forest fire occurs, will destroy power lines and network towers.

Furthermore, Google is currently also expanding the Tree Canopy Lab feature which last year was launched first in Los Angeles, USA. This feature helps the city identify places that need more trees.

Getting more greenery into the environment is one way to prevent heat illness and death in the most vulnerable places during a heat wave. Tree Canopy will be available in more than 100 cities by 2022, including Guadalajara, London, Sydney and Toronto.

Others, Google also launched a new application called Address Maker to search for homes with unofficial addresses. This application aims to help the delivery of packages and emergency services such as ambulances to reach many people living in rural areas and developing countries.

Address Maker is an extension of Google's existing Plus Codes, allowing people to share their location using a six-digit code instead of an address.

While Plus Codes for places without addresses will appear on Google Maps, routes to get there may not. Address Maker aims to speed up and make it easier for governments to assign Plus Codes to locations and map previously uncharted roads for entire communities. It uses an open source algorithm, and interestingly Plus Codes can be accessed offline.