Use of multiple satellite sensors in NOAA's operational near real-time fire and smoke detection and characterization program

Abstract

Environmental satellite data provides a unique capability to monitor large areas of the globe for the occurrence of fires and the smoke that they generate which can cause considerable degradation of air quality on a regional basis. The Hazard Mapping System (HMS) incorporates seven polar and geostationary satellites into a single workstation environment. While individual satellite platforms can provide important information that can be used in air quality models, integrating several platforms allows for the combined strengths of various spacecraft instruments to overcome their individual limitations. The HMS was specifically designed as an interactive tool to identify fires and the smoke emissions they produce over North America in an operational environment. Automated fire detection algorithms are employed for each of the sensors. Analysts apply quality control procedures for the automated fire detections by eliminating those that are deemed to be false and adding hotspots that the algorithms have not detected via examination of the satellite imagery. Areas of smoke are outlined by the analyst using animated visible channel imagery. An estimate of the smoke concentration is assigned to each plume outlined. The automated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Aerosol and Smoke Product (GASP) is used as an aid in providing smoke concentrations and identifying areas of smoke. HMS analysts provide estimates on the size, initiation and duration of smoke emitting fires that are used as input to NOAA's national air quality forecast capability. This system is currently providing 48 hour smoke forecast guidance for air quality forecasters and utilizes the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model.