Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

Wildland Fire Detection using Satellite Imagery

Introduction

Objectives:

• To review the fire weather forecast
  • Requirements of the fire weather forecasts, watches and warnings
  • Tools for performing the job
  • Unique aspects of the red flag warning
• To learn new techniques for wildland fire detection
  • Observation and reporting by spotters / public
  • Value added to wildland fire detection using satellite image data – especially RSO
• To work through case studies of wildland fire detection using GOES satellite imagery

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 Learn Center

1. Audio playback (recommended for low-bandwidth users) – This is an audio playback version in the form of a downloadable VISITview and can be taken at anytime.

   Create a directory to download the audio playback file (86 MB) from the following link: http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/training/visit/training_sessions/wildland_fire_detection_using_satellite_imagery/wildland_fire_detection_using_satellite_imagery_audio.exe

   After extracting the files into that directory click on either the visitplay.bat or visitauto.bat file to start the lesson. If both files are present, use visitauto.bat

References/Additional Links

• Talking points are available for this lesson and may be printed out to easily review the session in detail at any time.
• COMET Fire Weather Modules at MedEd
• Wildfire ABBA Fire Product
• SPC Fire Weather Forecasts
• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
• US Drought Monitor
• SSD Hazard Mapping System
• NESDIS Fire Products
• Firestorm Inducted Tornado page (video mentioned during teletraining session)
• Bailey, A.W., and M.L. Anderson, 1980: Fire temperatures in grass, shrub and aspen communities in central Alberta. Journal of Range Management, 33, 37-40.
• Dozier, J., 1981: A method for satellite identification of surface temperature fields of sub-pixel resolution. Remote Sensing of Environment, 11, 221 – 229.
• Flannigan, M.D., and T.H. Vonder Haar, 1986: Forest fire monitoring using NOAA satellite AVHRR. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 16, 975 – 982.
• Hufford, G.L., et. al., 1999: Detection and growth of an Alaskan forest fire using GOES-9 3.9um imagery. Int. J. Wildland Fire, 9(2), 129-136.
• Prins, E. M., and W. P. Menzel, 1992: Geostationary satellite detection of biomass burning in South America, Int. J. Remote Sensing, 13, 2783-2799.
• Weaver, J.F., J.F.W. Purdom, and T.L. Schneider, 1995: Observing forest fires with the GOES-8, 3.9 µm imaging channel. Wea. Forecasting, 10, 803-808.