Estimating the global extent of boreal forest burning using AVHRR

In this analysis the authors synergistically combined an AVHRR-based fire product, 10-day Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) composites, and global land cover classification to produce the first satellite-based estimate of global boreal forest burned area. The approach taken was to eliminate spurious hotspots using an NDVI composite and forest mask, then use remaining hotspots to "seed" an iterative burn-growing algorithm. The global extent of boreal burning in 1993 was estimated to be 6.0 million ha, a relatively modest level of burning compared to a 1987 estimate for eastern Asia.