Atlas User Manual
A short guide to using a fire atlas: finding your way around the map, sharing what you see, and getting maps and data to take with you. Nothing here needs a login.
Each section is an overview that points to a short how-to page for the details. If you look after an atlas — editing its data, publishing it — see the Administrator Manual.
Opening the Atlas
Your atlas has a web address, such as https://fireatlas.org/youratlas. It
opens the atlas's console, which shows the web map and lists the other
Maps and Downloads available in the sidebar.
The Web Map
The web map shows the atlas's layers — roads, water sources, structures, hazards and so on — in your browser, on a computer or a phone. Drag to move around, scroll or pinch to zoom, and click a feature to see its details or photo.
Down the right-hand side is a small panel with the atlas's name, links back Home to the console and to the 3D view, and a ? that brings you to this section. Below it:
- Preset Views jumps to a named area of the atlas with the right layers turned on — see Preset Views.
- Share copies a link to what you're looking at; Ctrl-click (⌘-click on a Mac, or press and hold on a phone) shares a pin on one spot — see Share a View or a Pin.
- Go to… jumps to coordinates or a Google Maps link someone sent you — see Go to a Location.
At the bottom left, the Visibility panel chooses the basemap (including None) and which layers are showing — see Choose What the Map Shows.
On atlases that have it, the location button at the top right shows where you are as a blue dot — see Show My Location.
Some layers take comments on individual features, shown by a speech-bubble badge — see Comment on a Feature.
Both panels fold away with their ▾ triangle when you want more map.
3D Terrain View
The 3D view shows the area as a landscape with real elevation — good for understanding slope, drainage and access. Its Share view button copies a link to your exact camera angle. See 3D Terrain View.
Adding Photos from the Field
On many atlases, you can add a photo to the map just by emailing it from your phone — its GPS location places it on the map. See Add a Location by Emailing a Photo.
Printable Maps
Atlases can produce PDF map books for vehicles, field kits and offline use — a runbook organised by region, and a grid-based gazetteer. Find them under Downloads. See Printable Map Books.
Downloading Data
For use in QGIS, ArcGIS or other mapping software, the whole atlas can be downloaded as a single GeoPackage file. See Download the Atlas as a GeoPackage. Depending on how your atlas is shared, some downloads may only be offered to administrators.
Getting More Help
Every page in the help index is listed at the Help Index. If something in the data looks wrong, contact whoever looks after your atlas.