Validation of active forest fires detected by MSG‐SEVIRI by means of MODIS hot spots and AWiFS images

Abstract

The detection of forest fires and the determination of their parameters have been usually carried out by polar‐orbit sensors: AVHRR, (A)ATSR, BIRD, and MODIS mainly. However, their time resolution prevents them from operating in real time. In contrast, the new geostationary sensors have very appropriate capacities for the observation of the Earth and monitoring of forest fires, as is being proved. GOES, MSG, and MTSAT are already operative, and they have led the international community to think that the global observation network in real time may become a reality. The implementation of this network is the aim of the Global Observations of Forest Cover and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC/GOLD) FIRE Mapping and Monitoring programme, focused internationally on taking decisions concerning the research of the Global Change. In this Letter, the operation in real time by the MSG‐SEVIRI sensor over the Iberian Peninsula is studied. On the other hand, the reliability of validation results by means of polar sensors, with a finer spatial resolution, is difficult to analyse due to errors caused by confused location of fires. This Letter shows that fires detected by means of MSG‐SEVIRI can be an useful option in order to estimate burnt areas at global scale, considering a spatial resolution of 40 km.

Acknowledgements

This work has been carried out within the 2000 ESA_EUMETSAT MSG Research Announcement of Opportunity ID 2136, entitled ‘Development of an algorithm for the detection and monitoring of forest fires in the Mediterranean area’. The authors wish to thank the institutions that have made this work possible. Also, the authors want to acknowledge the MODIS Forest Fire Research Team of the Maryland University for providing MODIS hot‐spot data; finally, the authors wish to thank the referees for their helpful comments.