Fire detection and monitoring using MSG Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) data

Abstract

[1] Detection and parameterization of forest fires is a task traditionally performed by polar-orbiting sensors, mainly advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) advanced along track scanning radiometer (AATSR), bispectral infrared detection (BIRD), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). However, their time resolution is a problem to operate in real time. New geostationary sensors have proven their capacity for Earth observation. GOES, MSG, and MTSAT are already operative with time resolutions below 30 min. The international community feels that a real-time global observation network may become a reality, which is the aim of the Global Observations of Forest Cover and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC/GOLD) FIRE Mapping and Monitoring program, focusing internationally on decision-making concerning research into global change. This paper shows the operation in real time by the MSG SEVIRI sensor over the Iberian Peninsula. For fire detection, a temporal gradient of temperature 3.9 mm is used, which is more efficient at eliminating incoming false alarms from solar reflection. Capacity to detect hot forest fires below 0.3 ha in Mediterranean latitudes has been analyzed along with the conditions in which it is possible to apply the MODIS methodology to establish the fire radiative energy (FRE) by means of experimental relation. We found that in this case, fire size can introduce maximum differences of 40% in FRE for small-scale fires. The capacity of this sensor is shown in different cases that have greatly impacted Spain and Portugal because of the loss of human life.

Evaluating the SEVIRI Fire Thermal Anomaly Detection Algorithm across the Central African Republic Using the MODIS Active Fire Product

“…In contrast, the tailored cloud detection algorithm used during the generation of the MODIS fire products is designed specifically for the active fire application to distinguish only larger, cooler, and optically thick clouds, and sacrifices the ability to discern thin cirrus and cloud edges in favour of reducing the possibility of misclassifying fire-affected pixels as cloudy [38,39]. Other SEVIRI active fire detection algorithms have implemented different cloud detection strategies (e.g., [48,72]), and refinement of the cloud mask used for in the FRP-PIXEL product maybe warranted, though it should not be inferred that SEVIRI's omission rate relative to MODIS would decrease if an alternative cloud mask were used. Instead we simply agree with the suggestions of Calle et al [72] that the performance of any SEVIRI active fire detection algorithm would very likely benefit from a custom cloud mask designed specifically for active fire detection applications.…”

“…Other SEVIRI active fire detection algorithms have implemented different cloud detection strategies (e.g., [48,72]), and refinement of the cloud mask used for in the FRP-PIXEL product maybe warranted, though it should not be inferred that SEVIRI's omission rate relative to MODIS would decrease if an alternative cloud mask were used. Instead we simply agree with the suggestions of Calle et al [72] that the performance of any SEVIRI active fire detection algorithm would very likely benefit from a custom cloud mask designed specifically for active fire detection applications.…”

Forest Fires And Remote Sensing

“…Major efforts are also being made by ESA-EUMETSAT to increase the use of MSG in environmental observation tasks. SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager) on board MSG platforms is a very interesting example of suitable sensor to perform forest fire monitoring in real time (Calle et al, 2006). Some analyses are shown in the particular case of the geographical latitude of the Mediterranean Europe where, during the last years, detection campaigns and dissemination of results in real time have been carried out.…”

“…The second part shows the thermal evolution, in the left scale, and the time thermal gradient, in the right scale, in ºC/15_minutes, for the two selected cases. (Calle et al, 2006).…”

“…In addition, the influence of the PSF has been highlighted as responsible for the differences in the Fire Radiative Power (FRP) when different sensors are compared. Concerning geostationary satellites, MSG is providing operational results in fire detection and biomass burning in Africa (Wooster et al, 2005) and Mediterranean countries (Calle et al, 2006) and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are used operationally in South-Central-North-America (Prins and Menzel, 1994). The issue of fire detection is understood in the framework of global geostationary fire monitoring applications and requires evaluating the impact of the MTF's shape in the estimation of thermal parameters.…”