Multispectral Satellite Imagery Products for Fire Weather Applications

Abstract Two multispectral satellite imagery products are presented that were developed for use within the fire management community. These products, which take form of false color red–green–blue composites, designed to aid detection and characterization, assessment environment surrounding a fire. The first, named Fire Temperature RGB, uses spectral channels near 1.6, 2.2, 3.9 μ m rapid range intensity through intuitive coloration. second, Day 0.64, 0.86, scene assessment. 0.64 channel provides information on smoke, 0.86 vegetation health burn scars, active detections. Examples these composite images from observations collected by three operational imagers (VIIRS polar-orbiting platform Advanced Baseline Imager Himawari geostationary platform) demonstrate both composites useful contain valuable is not present algorithms. In particular, it shown RGB VIIRS have similar utility as Active with added benefit context more than just fires themselves. Significance Statement current generation weather satellites began launch Suomi NPP offers new capabilities regard monitoring. now being used managers, incident meteorologists, others in community visualize fire’s behavior occurs. This paper outlines two gained widespread throughout U.S. National Weather Service Alaska Service. been applied great effect changed how teams respond wildland fires.