California Wildfire GIS Datasets: Download Sources and Links
California offers extensive GIS datasets for wildfire analysis, mapping, and research through several official government portals. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the primary sources and direct download links.
Primary Data Sources
1. CAL FIRE – Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP)
The most authoritative source for California wildfire data.
Main Portal:
- FRAP GIS Data Hub: https://frap.fire.ca.gov/mapping/gis-data/
- CAL FIRE GIS Mapping and Analytics: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/fire-resource-assessment-program/gis-mapping-and-data-analytics
Key Datasets Available:
- Historical fire perimeters (1878-present)
- Fire hazard severity zones
- Burn severity data (2015-2023 for fires >1,000 acres)
- Structure damage assessments
- Administrative boundaries
2. California Open Data Portal
Main Access Points:
- CAL FIRE Section: https://data.ca.gov/dataset/cal-fire
- Fire Perimeters (All): https://data.ca.gov/dataset/california-fire-perimeters-all
- California Natural Resources Agency: https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/california-fire-perimeters-all
3. CAL FIRE ArcGIS Hub
Direct Link: https://hub-calfire-forestry.hub.arcgis.com/
Featured Datasets:
- California Fire Perimeters (All): https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CALFIRE-Forestry::california-fire-perimeters-all
- 2025 Wildfire Perimeters: https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CALFIRE-Forestry::wfigs-2025-wildfire-perimeters/explore?showTable=true
- Combined Perimeters (CAL FIRE/NIFC/FIRIS): https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CALFIRE-Forestry::ca-perimeters-cal-fire-nifc-firis-public-view/explore
Available Data Types
Fire Perimeters
- Historical Coverage: 1878-2025 (ongoing)
- Current Year Updates: Real-time updates for active incidents
- Format: Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, Feature Service
- Key Fields: Fire name, year, acres, cause, agency
Burn Severity Data
- Coverage: 2015-2023 for fires ≥1,000 acres
- Data Source: FRAP Burn Severity Mapping Tool
- Resolution: 30-meter pixel data
- Classifications: Unchanged, Low, Moderate, High severity
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ)
- Updated: Recent updates by FRAP and Office of State Fire Marshal
- Coverage: State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA)
- Risk Categories: Moderate, High, Very High
Structure Damage Data
- Coverage: Structures within or 100m of fire perimeters
- Details: Structure type, construction materials, damage status
- Applications: Post-fire damage assessment and recovery planning
Federal Sources
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
- WFIGS Portal: Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services
- Data: Current active fires, incident boundaries, resources
- Real-time Updates: During active fire season
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Portal: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/where-can-i-find-wildfire-perimeter-data
- Data.gov Wildfire Catalog: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset?tags=wildfire
Data Access Methods
Direct Download Options
- Shapefile/Geodatabase: Complete dataset downloads
- Web Services: ArcGIS REST services for real-time access
- API Access: Programmatic access for automated updates
- Interactive Maps: Browser-based exploration and export
File Formats Available
- Shapefile (.shp)
- GeoJSON
- KML/KMZ (Google Earth compatible)
- File Geodatabase (.gdb)
- CSV (tabular data)
Historical Data Coverage
Fire Perimeter Timeline
- 1878-1949: Limited coverage, major fires only
- 1950-1999: Improved coverage, still some gaps
- 2000-Present: Comprehensive coverage with detailed attributes
Data Quality Notes
- Pre-1950 data may have gaps in coverage
- Smaller fires (<10 acres) may not be included in historical datasets
- Private land fire data integration varies by time period
Usage Recommendations
For Research and Analysis
- Use FRAP historical perimeter data for long-term trend analysis
- Combine with burn severity data for ecological impact studies
- Reference metadata documents for data limitations and methodologies
For Emergency Response
- Access real-time perimeters through CAL FIRE ArcGIS services
- Use NIFC WFIGS for multi-state incident coordination
- Monitor CAL FIRE incident information pages for updates
For Planning and Risk Assessment
- Utilize Fire Hazard Severity Zone data for development planning
- Combine historical fire data with fuel models and weather data
- Consider structure damage data for community resilience planning
Data Update Frequency
- Active Incidents: Real-time to daily updates
- Historical Perimeters: Annual compilation (released in April)
- Burn Severity: Updated seasonally after fire containment
- FHSZ Maps: Updated as regulations change
Technical Support and Documentation
For technical assistance with datasets:
- Contact CAL FIRE FRAP: frap@fire.ca.gov
- Review metadata documents included with downloads
- Consult user guides and FAQ sections on portal sites
Important Disclaimers
- Historical fire perimeter data represents the most complete available record but remains incomplete
- Users should exercise caution when drawing conclusions from the data
- Verify current fire activity through official CAL FIRE incident pages
- Coordinate with local agencies for the most current information during active incidents
This guide provides access to the most comprehensive wildfire GIS datasets available for California, supporting research, planning, and emergency response activities across the state.
