Stefan Maier's Bushfire16 presentation on TERN suite of remote sensing datasets that are invaluable resources for fire researchers and managers alike.

1. Fire is not Fire
The next generation of TERN fire remote sensing
datasets
Presentation by Stefan W Maier (Darwin Node Leader TERN/AusCover)

2. Continental coverage
Spatial resolution 500m
Temporal resolution 8 days
4 algorithms (+1 for Victoria)#
2000 - now
Grassland Curing
# Martin et al. (2015)
Integrating ground and satellite-based observations to determine the degree of grassland curing
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24, 329-339

3. Resolution: 1x1km2 (NADIR), 5x2km2 (edge of swath)
Sub-pixel fires get detected, ideal conditions 80-100m2 #
Sensitivity depends on view angle#
Approx. 4 observations per day, cloud permitting (more for higher
latitudes, less closer to equator)
2000 (2002) - now
Fire Radiative Power included as attribute (≠ fire line intensity!)
Thermal Anomalies (Active Fire Detection)
# Maier et al. (2013)
Sensitivity of the MODIS fire detection algorithm (MOD14) in the savanna region of the Northern Territory, Australia
ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 76, 11-16

4. Global product generated by NASA, TERN/AusCover reproject & mosaic
Spatial resolution 500m
Monthly composites
Two algorithms (MCD45, MCD64)
2000 (2002) – now
Three month latency
Burnt Area (NASA)

5. Continental coverage
Spatial resolution 250m
Approx. 2 observations per day
Australian algorithm
Monthly composites
Available 15th of following month
2002 – now
Shapefile, GeoTIFF, ERM, ENVI
Burnt Area and Approximate Day of Burn

6. Burnt Area and Approximate Day of Burn
fire stopped by creek
fire jumped creek
fire jumped creek
daily progression of fire

8. Continental coverage
Number of fires 1997 – 2011
Spatial resolution 1x1km2
Minimum fire size 4km2
Input data: manual mapping
using AVHRR data
Fire Frequency
Maier & Russell-Smith (2012). Measuring and Monitoring of Contemporary Fire Regimes in Australia
using Satellite Remote Sensing. In Flammable Australia: fire regimes, biodiversity and
ecosystems in a changing world.

9. Qld coverage
Spatial resolution 30m
Annual composite
1987 - now
High Resolution Burnt Area

10. Continental coverage
Spatial resolution 250m
Approx. 2 observations per
day
Australian algorithm
MODIS/Terra (AM)
available within 2h,
MODIS/Aqua (PM) available
within 2 days
Near Real-Time Burnt Area

11. Fire is not Fire

12. Fire is not Fire
fire severity, fire patchiness

13. Northern Australia
coverage (north of 21⁰S)
Spatial resolution 250m
Monthly composites +
seasonal composites
Available 15th of
following month
2002 – now
Fire Severity
Edwards, et al. (2015). Measuring and Mapping Fire Severity in the Tropical Savannas. In Carbon Accounting and Savanna Fire
Management. B. Murphy, A. Edwards, M. Meyer and J. Russell-Smith. Melbourne,
Australia, CSIRO Publishing:169-181.

14. On-ground transects within fire
perimeters:
83% (EDS) / 93% (LDS) burnt
87% (EDS) / 89% (LDS) of unburnt
patches are ≤ 5m
Spatial Scale of Patchiness
Oliveira, et al. (2015). Ecological Implications of Fine-Scale Fire Patchiness and Severity
in Tropical Savannas of Northern Australia. Fire Ecology 11, 10-31.

15. Fraction Pixel Burnt
on-ground sensor pixel
30%
70%
un-mixing

16. Continental coverage
Spatial resolution 250m
Monthly composites
Available 15th of following
month
2002 – now
Fire Sub-pixel Patchiness / Fraction Pixel Burnt

17. Fire Sub-pixel Patchiness (Example)
day-time fire
night-time fire

19. Fire Patchiness (Statistics West Top End)

20. Continental coverage
Spatial resolution 250/500m
Monthly composites
Available 15th of following month
2002 – now
MODIS land bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (6), 7 (VIS/NIR/SWIR)
Pre- and post-fire reflectance for every fire affected pixel
Post-Fire Reflectance Change

21. stefan.maier@maitec.com.au
http://tern.org.au/
http://www.auscover.org.au/
http://data.auscover.org.au/xwiki/bin/view/Product+pages/
http://www.maitec.com.au/gallery/fire_animations/
Thanks!