About the AWID
The Analysis & Wildfire Insight Division (A.W.I.D) is our dedicated team that works to uncover the origins of wildfires.
While the Local Emergency Response teams fight the fires, we focus on what's left behind. Our mission is to analyze how environmental conditions, topography, and structural vulnerabilities contributed to a fire's spread.
This isn't about placing blame; it is about understanding the ecological and human factors that facilitate these events, so that we can prevent similar fires from occurring in the future.
Operated by the European Fire Prevention & Rural Preservation Organization (EFPRP), the AWID strives to provide independent, scientific data analysis to complement official reports.
For additional information, visit our Help Center.
The AWID Investigation Process
Our Operational Protocol: Six steps to understanding the fire.
Report Submission & Initial Triage
The process begins with the secure submission of an investigation request through our online portal. Our team conducts an immediate review to assess the report's location, details, and initial evidence to determine its suitability for a full investigation.
Data Acquisition & Analysis
Upon triage, investigators begin to collect all available information. This includes cross-referencing public submissions with external data sources such as official fire department reports (where available and redacted), satellite imagery, weather patterns, and local topographical maps to build a comprehensive case file.
Vulnerability & Spread Analysis
Our team meticulously analyzes the data to pinpoint the fire's progression. We use scientific principles to assess burn patterns, topography, and weather data to understand the environmental vulnerabilities that allowed the fire to escalate.
Technical Documentation & Reporting
The findings are compiled into a detailed, technical report. This document includes a narrative of the incident, a visual timeline, and a conclusion on the determined cause. This formal documentation ensures that all data is correctly archived and can be used for future analysis and shared with official partners.
Collaboration with Official Agencies
The AWID acts as a vital partner to official authorities. The findings of our independent investigations, including our final reports, are shared with local fire departments and law enforcement agencies to assist in their official inquiries and to provide additional data for their records.
Prevention & Strategic Insight
The final and most crucial procedure is leveraging our collective findings for prevention. The data from all investigations is analyzed to identify trends, common causes, and high-risk areas. This information is then used to inform the EFPRP's public education campaigns and to recommend policy changes that will proactively reduce the threat of future wildfires.
Ready to help? Submit a case.
Submit a request to the Analysis & Wildfire Insight Division (AWID) to conduct an environmental data review of a specific wildfire incident, or inquire about existing data regarding incidents in Europe. Note: AWID deployment is currently restricted to selected countries.