Quantitative comparison of fire danger index performance using fire activity

A new quantitative method of evaluating fire danger index (FDI) performance is proposed, relying on a combination of modelled meteorological data and fire activity data obtained from earth observation satellites. The method simultaneously allows for localized FDI selection, as well as the analysis of spatial patterns in FDI performance. The Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) is shown, using well-known FDI performance metrics, to perform very well over most of southern Africa, compared to other FDIs historically employed in the region.