Seeing Web 2.0 in Action...1/7/09 Boulder, CO Fires

You've probably heard about it, Web 2.0 - an interactive internet that allows users to communicate, collaborate, and and securely share information. Web 2.0 sites include YouTube, Myspace, Facebook, Youmeo, Twitter, Flickr, and Google Map mashups just to name a few.

Now that most cell phones are equiped with cameras and wireless internet, there is a wealth of of information including pictures and videos that surge onto the web following an emergency event. Twitter feeds roll in continuous breaking news and news agencies often start blogs that offer for community conversations. Overall, Web 2.0 technologies can be useful in analyzing the situation and useful to the citizens who are trying to gather information about their loved ones or property.

Yesterday, wind-driven wildfires spread close to Boulder, CO, burning 1400 acres north of the city and prompted mandatory evacuations to almost 900 homes. Over 11,000 homes were alerted by reverse-911 calls. Currently the fire is 30% contained and currently not threating any structures.

So now for the Web 2.0...here's a link to the Boulder Fire Open Collaboration Google Map that was setup by a user. It allows people to upload pictures, video, reports, get updates, see areas affected, etc.. Thought you'd might want to take a look....

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=%20103212815483494278412.00045ff152e6e3a83ccaf

and here's the twitter search...
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23boulderfire