Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 24, 2026

Wildland Fire Observations (“the app,” “we,” “us”) is a field tool for recording and sharing wildland fire weather observations. This policy explains what information the app collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. We aim to collect only what the app needs to do its job.

Information we collect

• Account information. When you create an account we collect your name, email address, and password. Authentication is handled by Supabase; your password is stored only in hashed form and is never visible to us.
• Precise location. With your permission, the app uses your device’s precise GPS location to tag where weather observations are taken and to calculate distances for safety zones. Location is used only while you are actively using the app (when‑in‑use); the app does not track your location in the background.
• Observations and field data you create. Weather readings, notes, coordinates, incident records, incident subscriptions, and assignment details (such as resource and call sign) that you enter in the app.
• App preferences. Settings such as your unit choices, map style, and display options.
• Feedback you choose to send. If you submit feedback, we receive your message, an optional reply‑to email address, any screenshots you attach, and basic technical context (app version, device platform, and a timestamp) to help us diagnose the issue.

What we do not collect

The app contains no third‑party analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for advertising.

How we use your information

• To provide core features: creating, syncing, and displaying observations and incidents.
• To authenticate you and keep your account secure.
• To render maps and place your observations accurately.
• To respond to feedback and support requests, and to fix problems.

Shared (community) data

Observations and incident records you create are treated as shared community data and may be visible to other users of the app. If you delete your account, these records are retained but anonymized: they remain in the shared dataset but are no longer linked to you or your identity.

Service providers

We rely on a small number of trusted services to operate the app:

• Supabase: account authentication and database hosting for your account and app data.
• PowerSync: offline‑first synchronization of your data between the app and our backend.
• Mapbox: map rendering. Map and location requests are sent to Mapbox to display the map.
• Resend: delivery of transactional and account emails (for example, sign‑up confirmation) and feedback messages.

The app also retrieves public wildfire and weather data from government sources such as the National Weather Service (weather.gov) and the Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS / NIFC). These are outbound requests for public information; no personal account data is sent to them.

Data retention and account deletion

You can delete your account at any time from within the app, under Settings › Delete Account. Deleting your account permanently removes your account and personal data (your profile, incident subscriptions, and login). Observations and incidents you contributed are retained as anonymized community data, as described above. Deletion is immediate and cannot be undone.

Security

Data is encrypted in transit using standard HTTPS/TLS. Access to backend data is restricted by row‑level security so that users can only access data they are permitted to see.

Children’s privacy

The app is intended for wildland fire personnel and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Your choices

• You can grant or revoke location permission at any time in your device settings; the app will simply be unable to tag observation coordinates without it.
• You can delete your account and personal data from within the app at any time.
• You can contact us to ask about the data associated with your account.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Email info@wildlandfireobvs.com.