Monitoring Wildland Fire Activity at the National Level using Remotely Sensed Data

Brad Quayle (bquayle@fs.fed.us), USDA Forest Service

Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC), Salt Lake City, UT (801-975-3737)

The USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC), in collaboration with NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland, processes Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to produce active fire map and information products. MODIS-derived fire detections are used to produce active fire maps for the entire United States twice daily. Further geospatial analysis and image processing is also conducted to create associated fire information and image products. The maps and associated products are delivered via the Internet (www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/fire_maps.html) and provide the interagency fire community with a synoptic view of the wildfire situation for the intent of aiding in the strategic allocation of fire fighting resources and assets throughout the country as well as provide information for the general public.