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Mobile Apps

Technology

Mobile Apps for Fire Research

Due to the vast amount of models and tools available we have chosen to divide them into the following categories. 

Note: This list is not a recommendation or endorsement of any of these applications or technologies. This list is not all inclusive. Application or technology use and preference is very user specific.

Documentation Apps

CamScanner Phone PDF Creator

Share PDF/JPEG Files; share docs in PDF or JPEG format with others via social media, email attachment or sending the doc link. Use your phone/tablet camera to scan receipts, notes, invoices.
AndroidiPhone


Google Applications (Drive, Docs, etc)

A complete list of all the Google apps for your phone and tablet.
SiteAndroidiPhoneWindows


Microsoft Office Apps

Office on your phone or tablet.
SiteAndroidiPhoneWindows


Notability

Note taking on a mobile device.
SiteiPhone


Tiny ScanPro

Share images and paper documentation as PDFs. Digitizing documents for upload. TinyScan Pro version ($4.99 upgrade) allows upload to google drive and other cloud based services as well as email.
AndroidiPhone

Geospatial/Mapping Apps

Avenza Maps Pro

Offline collecting and updating of data in the field that works with ArcGIS Online. IMTs will be using this increasingly during hte fire season for incident data collection and maps. Check with your agency for subscription information.
Site – Android – iPhone


Collector (ESRI)

Offline collecting and updating of data in the field that works with ArcGIS Online. Incident Management Technicians (IMTs) will be using this increasingly during fire season for incident data collection and maps. Check with your agency for subscription information.
Site – Android – iPhone – Windows


FltPlan Go

FltPlan Go app is a companion to the FltPlan website. It shows graphical flight plan routes and gives registered users online, offline and in-flight access Auto Syncing of NavLogs, Routes, Split Screen, Moving Maps, Georeferenced approach Plates and Taxi Charts, In-flight Weather, Weight & Balance, Flight tracking. No subscription cost.
Site – Android – iPhone


ForeFlight

Intelligence mapping for pilots. Features hazards, track up, terrain maps, runway centerlines and traffic patterns. Also provides documents for Flight Ops. Annual subscription cost.
Site


Gaia GPS-Offline Topo Maps

Downloadable topo maps, offline caching availability and ability to import overlays. Map based layers are available globally. If maps of applicable area are downloaded prior to leaving data service, Gaia can functionally replace a handheld GPS for most users. Annual subscription cost.
Site – Android – iPhone


QField

QField is a free open-source (FOSS) app that brings the power of QGIS (free open source GIS similar to ArcGIS) to your mobile device. With QField you can transfer your QGIS projects to your phone and turn layers on/off, add additional geo-information, and see your location using your phone’s GPS (similar to Avenza Maps). If you like FOSS or use QGIS, give this app a try.
Site – Android


Theodolite

Theodolite is a pro-grade app ($7.99) and is used extensively by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, competitive sportsmen, first responders, military personnel, and search and rescue workers around the world. It is a multi-function viewfinder that combines a compass, two-axis inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, nav calculator, and geo-overlay photo/movie camera into one indispensable app.
iPhone


Dioptra

Dioptra is a camera position and angle measurement tool for navigation, surveying, positioning, and measurement. Dioptra provides the following information like a theodolite optical instrument – compass, pitch indicator (tilt degrees), roll indicator (tilt degrees), GPS position, azimuth and bearing to photo subject. No subscription cost.
Android


onX Hunt

Use onX Hunt as a fully functioning free GPS on your phone. OnX includes public and private land boundaries, aerial imagery with 24k topo, roads and all trails, offline maps, custom waypoints, waypoint sharing, and tracking (route, distance, and time). Basic option is free. Annual subscription cost for Premium and Elite options.
Site – Android – iPhone

Miscellaneous Common Apps

AndFTP

FTP client when accessing the NIFC FTP site, the official interagency repository for incident data.
Site – Android


DropBox

Cloud storage for your device.
Site – Android – iPhone – Windows


FTPClient Pro

FTP client when accessing the NIFC FTP site, the official interagency repository for incident data.
iPhone


QR Reader

Scan QR codes, barcodes, words and PDF documents.
Site – Android – iPhone – Windows

 
Weather Apps

Blitzortung Lightning Monitor

Map based application for monitoring Lightning-Strikes at nearly real time. Lightning strike time color coded; older strikes are displayed as colored dots on the Map.
SiteAndroidiPhoneWindows


Darksky

Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information. With down-to-the-minute forecasts, you’ll know exactly when the rain will start or stop, right where you’re standing.
SiteiPhone


Fire Weather Calculator

Wildland fire weather observation calculation and archiving tool. This application allows quick calculation of RH, Fine Dead Fuel Moisture (FDFM), and Probability of Ignition (PIG) based on standard fire line weather observations. The app also provides means of archiving AND sharing those observations through email.
SiteAndroid


My Radar

Animated weather radar around your current location. Several additional layers are available for free, including outlooks, warnings and watches, temp, winds, and forecasts.
SiteAndroidiPhoneWindows


NOAA Weather International

Retrieve real-time 7-day hyperlocal point weather forecasts and current weather conditions. Provides predicted 24 hour forecast in map, narrative and tabular view. Easy to screenshot and use as a reference to track RH, Temps, and Winds.
AndroidiPhone


WindNinja

This tool provides improved capability to identify areas where local winds may either increase fire behavior or not influence fire. This information helps us all to make better fire management decisions.
SiteAndroidiPhoneWindows


Storm Radar

Storm Radar is your NOAA forecast, weather radar and hurricane tracker with severe weather alerts. Stay safe and informed through rain and severe weather using 8 hours past to future radar, live wind speed, NOAA radar and tornado updates.
AndroidiPhone

Wildland Fire Specific App

Fire Weather Calculator

Wildland fire weather observation calculation and archiving tool. This application allows quick calculation of RH, Fine Dead Fuel Moisture (FDFM), and Probability of Ignition (PIG) based on standard fire line weather observations. The app also provides means of archiving AND sharing those observations through email.
SiteAndroid


Wildland Toolkit

Fire behavior checklists and calculations as well as IRPG safety checklists.
SiteiPhone


WindNinja-Mobile

This tool provides improved capability to identify areas where local winds may either increase fire behavior or not influence fire. This information helps us all to make better fire management decisions.
SiteAndroidiPhone


Wildfire Analyst Pocket

Enter data based on observed conditions and real-time fuels, wind, slope, moisture, and temperature data. Outputs are calculated immediately and displayed on an interactive 3D map supplemented by charts and tables. The app works either connect or disconnected.
SiteAndroidiPhone


Wildfire Analyst Desktop

Wildfire Analyst Desktop is software that provides real-time analysis of wildfire behavior and simulates the spread of wildfires. It provides a range of analytical outputs, available as GIS maps, charts, and reports, that empower more accurate and timely decision making. Behavior analysis and simulations are completed in seconds.
Site


Mobile IRPG

This handy app is designed to keep your Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) in your pocket and easy to get to at all times.
AndroidiPhone

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