Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

Introduction:

The goal of this training session is to apply the information learned in this module on data fusion to detect wildland fires as quickly and accurately as possible.  A variety of datasets are used to help increase confidence in the probability of detecting fires given the known limitations of the observational data.  The products include GOES satellite, radar data, webcams, and other environmental data with an emphasis on synthesizing these together to overcome individual dataset limitations and build on their collective strengths.  NWS meteorologists provide valuable information on initial detection of wildland fires which is a key component to fire mitigation efforts.  This training provides the most in-depth knowledge in fusing datasets for fire detection, along with examples and AWIPS procedures that can assist in operational implementation.  This training session will build on data fusion methodologies from the Data Fusion section of the WOC Severe Course (updated in FY21).

Training Session Options:

NOAA/NWS students – to begin the training, use the web-based video, YouTube video, or audio playback options below (if present for this session). Certificates of completion for NOAA/NWS employees can be obtained by accessing the session via the Commerce Learning Center.

• Web-based video

References / Additional Links:

• Data Fusion section of the WOC Severe Track – this training session will build on data fusion methodologies from the Data Fusion section of the WOC Severe Course (added with the FY21 update).
• AWIPS Procedures used in this training and Help Document (NOAA login required)
• IWT Fire Warning Approach by Lindley et al. 2024: Retrospective Demonstrations of an Integrated Team Approach to Fire Warnings for Western United States Wildfire Disasters
• AMS Short Course: “Satellites and Fire” – Session 2
• Next Generation Fire System (NGFS)
• March 14, 2025 Fire and Dust Storm by WFO OUN
• Red Flag Threat Index (RFTI) by Murdoch et al. 2012:  Assessing Critical Fire Weather Conditions Using a Red Flag Threat Index  
• Energy Release Component (ERC) by Jolly et al. 2019: Severe Fire Danger Index: A Forecastable Metric to Inform Firefighter and Community Wildfire Risk Management
• ALERTCalifornia
• COMET / MetEd (MetEd login required): GOES-R / JPSS Case Exercise: Detecting and Monitoring Western US Wildfires 
• COMET / MetEd (MetEd login required): Incorporating Satellite Data into Fire Weather Operations. *Note: this document is available under Resources in “GOES-R / JPSS Case Exercise: Detecting and Monitoring Western US Wildfires.”   
• COMET / MetEd (MetEd login required): GOES-16 / JPSS Case Exercise: Monitoring the Rhea Oklahoma Grassland Fire  
• COMET / MetEd (MetEd login required): Multispectral Satellite Applications: Monitoring the Wildland Fire Cycle