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Fires last 48 Hours

The Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses satellite observations to detect active fires and thermal anomalies. They deliver this information to decision makers in near real-time (within 3 hours of satellite observation). This dataset includes active fires of the last 48h. Each point represents the centre of a 375 m resolution pixel where a fire was detected. It is updated twice daily. Compared to other coarser resolution (≥1km) satellite fire detection products, it provides improved response for smaller fires, improved mapping of large fire perimeters, and better detection at night, when fire activities usually occur. Consequently, the data are well suited for use in support of fire tracking and management (e.g., near real-time alert systems), as well as other science applications requiring improved fire mapping fidelity.

System, Wilfrid Schroeder (Land Atmosphere Near Real-Time Capability for EOS Fire Information for Resource Management). 2016. “VIIRS Active Fire Locations 375m FIRMS V001 NRT.” NASA Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS Fire Information for Resource Management System. https://doi.org/10.5067/firms/viirs/vnp14imgt.nrt.001.

2020

NASA considers current fire data to have good enough quality for fire management applications and scientific studies but cautions users to be aware of data quality limitations associated with archived data. The VIIRS active fire algorithm undergoes routine quality control to be refined. Not all fires are detected. There are several reasons why VIIRS may not have detected a certain fire. The fire may have started and ended between satellite overpasses. The fire may have been too small or too cool to be detected in the 375 m pixel. Cloud cover, heavy smoke, or tree canopy may completely obscure a fire. It is not recommended to use active fire locations to estimate burned area due to spatial and temporal sampling issues. Each fire alert has a confidence value of low, nominal, or high to help users gauge the quality of detection.


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