Monitoring Fires From Space

NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) is an essential tool for monitoring active fires using satellite data. This blog provides a comprehensive guide on how to effectively utilize FIRMS, covering its various features and functionalities.

Introduction to FIRMS

The Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) is a powerful tool designed for monitoring active fires using satellite data. It provides near real-time information about active fire incidents, enabling users to make informed decisions based on the most current data available. With the capability to access data from multiple satellites, FIRMS enhances the understanding of fire dynamics across various landscapes.

Basic and Advanced Modes

FIRMS operates in two distinct modes: Basic and Advanced. Basic mode is the default setting when users first access the Fire Map. This mode is tailored for new users, offering quick access to active fire data, dynamic imagery, and overlays for the current day and the past 24 hours. It simplifies the user experience by presenting essential information without overwhelming complexity.

In contrast, Advanced mode unlocks a broader array of features. Users can explore satellite orbit tracks, overpass times, and additional overlays that provide deeper context to satellite observations. This mode is ideal for users who require more detailed information for analysis and decision-making.

Changing the Timeline

FIRMS allows users to modify the timeline to explore fire data over various timeframes. By default, the timeline displays data from the past 24 hours. Users can change this setting to view active fire incidents for today or select a historical view for the last seven days. This flexibility enables users to track fire incidents and trends effectively.

To adjust the timeline, simply click on the information icon located below the seven-day circle. This will display the date and time range for active fire detection data. Users can select from a variety of options, including a custom range spanning up to 31 days.

Identifying Active Fires and Attributes

Accessing information about individual active fires is straightforward. Users can click on a hotspot to reveal detailed attribute information collected by various sensors, including MODIS and VIIRS. Each data point includes critical information such as coordinates, brightness, acquisition time, and confidence levels.

This attribute data is vital for understanding fire behavior and impacts. Additionally, users can adjust the time display to reflect Greenwich Mean Time or their local time for enhanced accuracy in data interpretation.

Map Coordinates and Time Since Detection

FIRMS provides real-time coordinates as users navigate the map. A transparent box at the top of the map displays the current coordinates, while the selected time frame appears on the right. To track how recently a fire was detected, users can open the fire’s hotspot menu and select a time-based view.

The color scale on the map indicates the detection time of fires: deep red represents fires detected within the last six hours, while yellow indicates detections over 24 hours ago. This immediate visual feedback helps users understand fire activity at a glance.

Overlays in Basic Mode

In Basic mode, FIRMS offers overlays that provide context to the displayed fire data. Users can choose from basic or detailed overlays. The basic overlay includes major roads and significant geographic boundaries, while the detailed overlay adds geographic features and cities for a more comprehensive view.

Advanced mode further expands overlay options, allowing users to activate overlays such as latitude and longitude lines, aerosol indices, human settlement extents, and protected areas. These additional layers enhance the user’s ability to analyze fire data in relation to geographic and administrative boundaries.

Dynamic Imagery and Static Backgrounds

FIRMS enables users to view dynamic satellite imagery for selected dates. In Basic mode, users can access corrected reflectance true color imagery for MODIS and VIIRS. Advanced mode expands these options to include data from other satellite platforms such as GOES, Landsat, and Sentinel.

Users can manipulate a gray slider at the bottom of the map to select different imagery dates, allowing for a visual comparison of fire activity over time. This feature is invaluable for users looking to assess the progression of fires and their impact on the environment.

Measuring Tools

FIRMS includes a range of measuring tools to assess distances and areas. Users can measure distances in kilometers or miles, and areas in various units such as acres or hectares. To measure an area, click on the vertices of the shape, closing the shape to calculate the total area.

The distance measuring tool can be particularly useful for assessing the proximity of fire incidents to populated areas or measuring smoke dispersion. Both tools are essential for monitoring changes in impacted areas over time.

Location Tool

The location tool in FIRMS allows users to search for specific coordinates or place names. This functionality enables users to save multiple locations of interest, facilitating quick access to data related to specific areas or incidents. For land managers and incident responders, this feature is crucial for effective monitoring and response.

By saving locations, FIRMS users can efficiently revisit areas of concern, whether for ongoing incidents or historical analysis. This capability enhances situational awareness and supports informed decision-making during fire events.

Advanced Mode Features

Advanced mode in FIRMS is specifically designed for users requiring more detailed data. It offers additional overlays, including the Human Built-Up and Settlement Extent layer, which illustrates urban development at a high resolution. Understanding these overlays is essential for assessing the potential impact of fires on human populations.

Additionally, the protected areas overlay provides boundaries of designated conservation areas, allowing users to understand where fire activity may intersect with sensitive ecosystems. This information is critical for effective land management and protection efforts.

Burned Areas and Historical Data

The Burned Areas menu in FIRMS allows users to select specific months to view historical fire data. This feature is beneficial for analyzing trends in fire activity over time. Colors on the map indicate the approximate month when fires occurred, enabling users to correlate active fire data with historical records.

Users can also overlay burned area data with current active fire incidents to assess the potential for fire spread or recovery in previously affected areas. This dual perspective is invaluable for researchers and incident managers alike.

False Color Imagery

FIRMS allows for the use of false color imagery to enhance the visualization of burned areas. When layered with MODIS or VIIRS corrected reflectance data, these images can highlight burned regions in shades of red against green vegetated areas, making it easier to identify fire impacts.

This capability is crucial for assessing recovery in burned areas over time, as users can track changes in vegetation and land use following fire incidents. By comparing images from different dates, researchers can gain insights into ecosystem resilience and recovery processes.

HLS Data Integration

FIRMS integrates Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel (HLS) data, providing high-resolution imagery for improved analysis. This data allows users to observe land changes with a spatial resolution of 30 meters, which is essential for detailed assessments of fire impacts.

The availability of HLS data enhances the ability to monitor fire incidents and their aftermath, offering a clearer picture of how landscapes transform post-fire. Users should note that HLS data may have a lag time of two to four days, emphasizing the importance of timing in data access.

Utilizing FIRMS for Research and Management

FIRMS provides a wealth of tools for researchers, fire incident managers, and environmental scientists. The combination of real-time and historical data allows users to analyze fire patterns, assess risks, and develop strategies for fire management and prevention.

By leveraging the capabilities of FIRMS, users can gain a comprehensive understanding of wildfire dynamics, enabling more effective responses to fire incidents and better long-term planning for fire-prone areas.

Dynamic Imagery and Backgrounds

FIRMS provides users with the ability to view dynamic satellite imagery, enhancing their analysis of fire incidents over time. In Basic mode, users can access corrected reflectance true color imagery for MODIS and VIIRS satellites. This allows for a realistic representation of the landscape affected by fires.

In Advanced mode, the options expand significantly. Users can select from a wider range of satellite imagery, including data from GOES, Landsat, and Sentinel. This variety enables a comprehensive understanding of fire dynamics and the environmental context surrounding active fires.

The dynamic imagery can be adjusted using a gray slider at the bottom of the map, which allows users to select different imagery dates. This feature is crucial for visual comparisons of fire activity over various periods, facilitating a deeper understanding of fire progression and its impacts.

Static Backgrounds

Static backgrounds in FIRMS can also be customized. The default background is the Blue Marble, which provides a visually appealing global view. However, users can opt for street maps that display roads, cities, and geographic markers, or topographic maps that become more detailed as one zooms out.

In Advanced mode, additional background options are available, such as light and dark gray maps. These backgrounds can enhance the visibility of the chosen datasets, ensuring that users can focus on the critical data without distraction.

Measuring Tools and Location Features

The measuring tools in FIRMS are essential for users to assess distances and areas impacted by fire incidents. Users can measure distances in kilometers or miles, making it easier to understand the proximity of fires to populated areas or critical infrastructure.

To measure an area, users simply click on the vertices of the shape they wish to measure, closing the shape to calculate the total area. This functionality is vital for assessing the scale of damage or potential risk posed by active fires.

Location Tool

The location tool enhances user experience by allowing searches for specific coordinates or place names. Users can save multiple locations, facilitating quick access to data related to specific areas or incidents.

This feature is particularly beneficial for land managers and incident responders who need to monitor ongoing situations or historical data in specific geographic areas. By saving locations, users can efficiently track areas of concern, enhancing their situational awareness.

Advanced Mode and Overlays

Advanced mode in FIRMS is tailored for users who require more detailed and contextual data. This mode provides additional overlays such as the Human Built-Up and Settlement Extent layer, highlighting urban development. Understanding these overlays is crucial for assessing the potential impact of fires on human populations.

Moreover, the protected areas overlay delineates boundaries of conservation areas, allowing users to see where fire activity may intersect with sensitive ecosystems. This information is critical for land management and protection efforts, ensuring that users can make informed decisions regarding fire incidents.

Understanding Burned Areas

The Burned Areas menu in FIRMS allows users to analyze historical fire data by selecting specific months. This feature is beneficial for identifying trends in fire activity over time. The colors on the map indicate the approximate month when fires occurred, enabling users to correlate current active fire data with historical records.

Additionally, users can overlay burned area data with current active fire incidents, providing insights into potential fire spread or recovery in previously affected areas. This dual perspective is invaluable for researchers and incident managers alike.

False Color Imagery

FIRMS supports the use of false color imagery, enhancing the visualization of burned areas. When layered with MODIS or VIIRS corrected reflectance data, these images can highlight burned regions in shades of red against green vegetated areas. This capability is essential for assessing recovery in burned areas over time.

By comparing images from different dates, researchers can track changes in vegetation and land use following fire incidents. This insight is crucial for understanding ecosystem resilience and recovery processes, informing future fire management strategies.

FAQ

• What is FIRMS?
  FIRMS stands for Fire Information for Resource Management System, a tool for monitoring active fires using satellite data.
• How can I access FIRMS?
  Users can access FIRMS via its web-based platform, where they can explore various features and data related to active fires.
• What data sources does FIRMS use?
  FIRMS utilizes data from MODIS, VIIRS, Landsat, and Sentinel satellites, providing comprehensive coverage of fire incidents.
• Can I view historical fire data?
  Yes, FIRMS allows users to view historical fire data over different timeframes, enhancing the ability to analyze fire trends.
• How do I measure areas or distances in FIRMS?
  Users can utilize the measuring tools to assess distances and areas by clicking on the map and closing shapes for area measurements.