Terms of Use
By accessing or using WatchFlame (the “Service”), you agree to these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
What WatchFlame is
WatchFlame is an independent, non-commercial project that aggregates publicly available wildfire, weather, drought, and vegetation data and presents an estimated fire-weather and proximity risk picture. It is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not an official government service, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any agency whose data it displays, and does not provide professional, safety, or emergency advice.
No reliance for life-safety decisions
Do not rely on WatchFlame to make life-safety, evacuation, or property decisions. The risk scores, “all clear” indications, projected trajectories, suggested routing, and any other output are estimates derived from third-party data that may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate, and the underlying models are simplifications that do not capture every factor (smoke, ember spotting, rapidly changing conditions, and more). Always obtain guidance from official sources and emergency responders.
No warranty
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ANY INFORMATION IS CORRECT OR CURRENT.
Limitation of liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PROJECT AND ITS AUTHOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROPERTY, INJURY, OR HARM, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SERVICE OR ANY RELIANCE ON ITS CONTENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Third-party data
The Service displays data from third parties including NASA FIRMS, NIFC, CAL FIRE, FEMA, OpenWeatherMap, Open-Meteo, Copernicus / Sentinel-2, the U.S. Census Bureau, NCES, NLCD, and map tiles via MapTiler and OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). We do not control and are not responsible for that data, and its display does not imply any endorsement by those providers. Their respective terms may also apply.
Who may use the Service
You may use the Service only if you can form a binding agreement under applicable law and are not barred from doing so. The Service is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13.
Acceptable use
Use the Service lawfully and do not attempt to disrupt, overload, scrape at abusive volumes, reverse-engineer access controls, or misuse it. The Service is offered for personal, non-commercial use.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the Service or these Terms will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Illinois, and you consent to their jurisdiction. Nothing here limits any right you may have under the mandatory consumer-protection laws of the place where you live.
Severability and waiver
If any part of these Terms is found unenforceable, that part will be limited or removed to the smallest extent needed, and the rest stays in full effect. Our failure to enforce any part is not a waiver of it.
Entire agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, are the entire agreement between you and the project regarding the Service, and they replace any earlier understanding on that subject.
Changes
We may update the Service or these Terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Contact
Questions about these Terms: watchflame.wildfire@gmail.com.