Google Maps expands wildfire warnings to Türkiye

Google Maps has extended its AI-powered wildfire warning system to Türkiye and other European countries, including many popular holiday spots such as Italy, Greece, and Croatia.

The service, which was already available in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Australia, now also covers 14 European nations, including Türkiye offering critical information to both local users and travelers.

Google Maps expansion to Türkiye

Newly included countries are: “Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, South Cyprus and Türkiye.

Google’s AI-driven system will be analyzing various data sources to identify areas affected by wildfires. These areas then will be marked as warnings in Google Maps, Google Search, and location-based push notifications.

Wildfire warnings for travelers

Wildfire warnings are not only designed for local residents but also for international travelers. The information is provided in the respective device language to minimize language barriers, ensuring that users receive vital safety information regardless of where they are.

In addition to warnings and area-specific information, users also receive guidance on how to protect themselves. Risk areas are highlighted in planned routes to help travelers avoid dangerous zones.

AI-powered wildfire tracking

Google reports that its AI-powered wildfire tracking system has already mapped over 40 wildfires across Southern Europe this summer. Including fires in Spain, Greece and South Cyprus last month — and others from Portugal to Kenya.

We showed these wildfire boundaries in Search and Maps and made information available through notifications — complementing existing on-the-ground efforts to help people access information and stay safe. As many as 1.4 million people saw our wildfire information in the first week of July alone, after wildfires broke out across Europe and Africa.

Google

Users in affected areas may receive alerts through notifications on their phones, as well as in their driving directions. This system aims to help users stay informed and take necessary precautions during wildfire events, potentially saving lives and reducing harm.