San Diego Fires on Google My Maps

Nick, a classmate of mine, pointed out this interesting use of Google My Maps for disaster reporting by KPBS News in San Diego. KPBS is also maintaining a Twitter stream for updates about the fires, which is the most useful potential use of Twitter I think I've seen. Has anyone seen any fire mapping systems on the web that integrate discussions? Requests for missing people, perhaps requests by evacuees for ground info on their homes?

Comments

[josh]

trying comparing 511(http://traffic.511.org/traffic_map.asp) to Google Maps. They are pretty similar, the 511 map might even be built of Google Maps base. I'm noticing a major difference that I didn't even consider until right now....the speed in loading the the map...511 is timing out (6pm=rush hour=lots of people checking in before their commute). Google Maps doesn't even hesitate and I'm guessing they get their data from the same place (see below). Even if Google Maps doesn't refresh as quickly, I have a feeling something like 511 would be a lot less dependable when overwhelmed by a million+ people checking to see if they need to/how to evacuate.

Traffic 511:
"A partnership between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans, and the California Highway Patrol that provides the up-to-the-minute traffic conditions and driving times data found in this site. This partnership also sponsors the overall 511 phone and web family of services. Click here to read more about each partner."