Requirements for space-based observations in fire management: a report by the Wildland Fire Hazard Team, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG)

The Wildland Fire Hazard Team reviewed potential requirements for space-based observations in fire management. The team produced a report, developed under the auspices of the Disaster Management Support Group (DMSG) of the G-7 Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The document was prepared by an international working group, with experience in the field of remote sensing as applied to wildland fire management. The team identified seven major requirements. (http://disaster.ceos.org/2000Ceos/progress/reports/fire.html) These requirements could substantially improve wildland fire management programs, should CEOS augment existing satellites or develop new Earth observation satellites as recommended. The requirements address the different temporal, spatial, and spectral characteristics needed in different phases of fire management and geographic areas of interest. These requirements include fuel mapping, risk assessment, detection, monitoring, mapping, burned area recovery, and smoke management. They are supported by 10 recommendations, as outlined in this paper.