Near real-time wildfire mapping using spatially-refined satellite data: The rim fire case study

Abstract

Fire incident teams depend on accurate fire diagnostics and predictive data to guide daily positioning and tactics of fire crews. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service National Infrared Operations (NIROPs) nighttime airborne data provides daily information about the fire front and total fire affected area of priority fires to the incident teams on the ground. During the peak of the fire season, NIROPs aircraft can fly over 30 incidents per night to monitor active fires. The total flight hours performed by NIROPs aircraft have increased in the last five years, highlighting the growing demand for timely and accurate active fire mapping. Despite efforts of the NIROPs team, numerous low priority fires are not monitored by NIROPs aircraft. In this context, satellite-based remote sensing of active fires may provide timely information to monitor events lacking thermal airborne data.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT

Citation

Oliva, Patricia; Schroeder, Wilfrid. 2015. Near real-time wildfire mapping using spatially-refined satellite data: The rim fire case study. In: Keane, Robert E.; Jolly, Matt; Parsons, Russell; Riley, Karin. Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-73. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 309-311.