From Wind to Smoke: A Unified WebGIS Platform for Wildfire Simulation and Visualization

A unified WebGIS platform for wildfire simulation and visualization is presented, integrating three coupled physical models: HDWind for wind field computation, PhyFire for wildfire spread, and PhyNX for smoke plume dispersion. The system includes preprocessing and postprocessing scripts that enable the efficient integration of meteorological and cartographic data and support the visualization of outputs such as burned areas, wind and smoke fields, and emission estimates. The platform is deployed through a WebGIS interface that supports both decoupled and coupled simulations, providing operational flexibility and reducing computational demands when needed. A real wildfire scenario is simulated to demonstrate system capabilities. The case study highlights the platform’s applicability in operational contexts, reinforcing its potential to evolve into an accessible and user-oriented environmental decision support system for wildfire management.