Wildfire vs FWAS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Wildfire
This app provides comprehensive wildfire and weather data, including real-time fire detection from satellites, detailed fire weather outlooks, and hazardous condition zones. It offers advanced forecasting and incident reports for informed decision-making.
- MODIS & VIIRS thermal satellite fire detection
- 8-day fire weather outlooks
- Hazardous wildfire condition zones
- GOES-16 satellite imagery animations
- National Fire Incident Reports
- 7-day fire potential forecast
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Download the most comprehensive Wildfire app for iOS. CURRENT WILDFIRES - MODIS Thermal Satellite Fire Detection - VIIRS IBAND Fire Detection - MODIS + VIIRS Spot Details - Fire Weather Outlook: Days 1 - 8 - Large Fire Points - Dry Thunderstorm Fire Weather Outlook - National Fire Incident Reports - Fire Potential Index: 7-day Forecast - Large Fire Probability - Fire Danger Rating - Expected Large Fires per PSA - National Significant Fire Outlook: 4-months - NFDRS Dead Fuel Moisture - US Drought Monitor & Index HAZARDOUS WILDFIRE CONDITION ZONES - Detailed NOAA discussion GOES-16 SATELLITE IMAGERY ANIMATIONS - Regional zones (CONUS) * Available for iPhone and iPad with single purchase * Feel free to contact me at mwnbdc@gmail.com if you have any questions. Enjoy.
FWAS
This app provides critical weather information and custom alerts for firefighters to anticipate dangerous fire behavior. It offers map-based access to fire-specific weather data, including RAWS, NWS forecasts, and radar, helping to prevent entrapments.
- Custom weather alerts
- RAWS/ASOS station data
- Fire-specific weather forecasts
- Satellite hotspot mapping
- Incident location and fire perimeters
- NWS watches, warnings, and advisories
- NEXRAD radar data
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Many firefighters have been entrapped due to rapid changes in weather causing unexpected fire behavior. These weather events are often predictable using local weather measurements and forecasts, but on-the-ground firefighters have historically lacked access to this information. The Fire Weather Alert System provides this access. It monitors nearby weather observations and forecasts to warn firefighters of dangerous incoming weather and provides convenient map-based access to fire-specific weather information (RAWS, NWS zone fire weather forecasts, NEXRAD radar data, etc.). GET CUSTOM WEATHER ALERTS • Get custom weather alerts when wind speed, wind gust, relative humidity, air temperature, and precipitation exceed your set thresholds. • RAWS/ASOS stations and short-term forecasts (HRRR model) are monitored. • Designate the watch area for your fire. • Alerts broadcast using in-app messages, text, and/or email. VIEW RAWS DATA • Select weather stations from a map and view data in graph and tabular form. • Access RAWS, iRAWS, ASOS, and other station networks. VIEW SATELLITE HOTSPOTS • Display VIIRS and MODIS hotspots on the map. VIEW INCIDENT LOCATIONS AND FIRE PERIMETERS • View incident name, type, size, and most recent perimeter (including smaller IA fires). VIEW NWS WATCHES, WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES • See National Weather Service Active Alerts on the map and read the text. • Monitor Red Flag Warnings, Fire Weather Watches, Wind Advisories, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, etc. ACCESS ZONE FIRE WEATHER FORECASTS • Access and read your local fire weather forecast. • See fire weather zone names and boundaries on the map. MONITOR APPROACHING STORMS WITH NEXRAD RADAR • Display animated radar data on the map.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FWAS at Free against Wildfire's $0.99. FWAS also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). Wildfire's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.3) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 10). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
FWAS is free to download; Wildfire costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Wildfire holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Wildfire has 1.7K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Wildfire's written reviews are positive against 25% of FWAS's.
Wildfire ships an update monthly, FWAS every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Wildfire | FWAS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (1.7K ratings) — better | 3.3 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 40.3% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #69 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 200 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LW Brands, LLC | US Forest Service |
Customer experience
Wildfire
FWAS
Bugs and requests
Wildfire
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes and freezes frequently
- Maps and data fail to load properly
- Inaccurate or outdated fire information
Requested features
4 requests- Add alerts and evacuation zone mapping
- Improve map interface and navigation
- Provide more detailed fire name and location information
- Expand coverage to include Canadian fires
FWAS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Wildfire
No in-app purchases
FWAS
No in-app purchases







