Comparison

Wildfire vs FWAS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Wildfire4 screens
FWAS2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

FWAS is free to download; Wildfire costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wildfire ships an update monthly, FWAS every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Wildfire versus FWAS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWildfireFWAS
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (1.7K ratings) — better3.3 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews40.3% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better10
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#69 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB200 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperLW Brands, LLCUS Forest Service

Customer experience

Wildfire

All ratings1,724 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral5.5%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive40.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative48.6%

FWAS

All ratings7 ratings
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

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

None

Wildfire

No in-app purchases

None

FWAS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Wildfire free?
Wildfire costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is FWAS free?
FWAS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Wildfire or FWAS?
Wildfire is rated higher. Wildfire averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while FWAS averages 3.3 from 10 ratings.
Do Wildfire or FWAS have ads?
Neither Wildfire nor FWAS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Wildfire or FWAS?
Wildfire ships an update monthly, and FWAS every 4 months. Most recently, Wildfire was updated on October 24, 2026 and FWAS on October 24, 2026.

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