About the AWID
The Analysis & Wildfire Investigation 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 find out how and why a wildfire started.
This isn't about placing blame; it's about understanding the causes. Whether they are natural, accidental, or criminal, so that we can prevent similar fires from happening in the future.
The AWID, being operated by a nonprofit organization, the European Fire Prevention & Rural Preservation Organization (EFPRP), strives to provide independent verification 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.
Cause & Origin Determination
Our team meticulously analyzes the data to pinpoint the fire's area of origin. We use forensic principles to assess burn patterns and evidence, working to classify the fire's cause as either accidental, natural, or a result of human activity (e.g., negligence or incendiary sources).
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 Investigation Division (AWID) to conduct a technical review of a specific wildfire incident, or inquire about existing data regarding incidents in Europe. Note: AWID deployment is currently restricted to selected countries.