Demonstration of a semi-operational firerecognition service using BIRD micro-satellite - DEMOBIRD

FUEGOSAT is the European Space Agency initiative to improve the management of forest fires by means of space remote sensing. The programme is executed through different actions, one of which consists of the development of a semi-operational end-to-end fire recognition service. The Bi-spectral IR Detection (BIRD) satellite, a technological demonstrator designed for the recognition of hot spots, is an excellent precursor for prospective data sources to fill the gap of existing Earth observation satellites and future dedicated satellites that will provide the definitive tool for fire monitoring. Representative regions were selected for a first demonstration in South Europe. After performing the exercise during 2003 summer campaign in Spain, BIRD satellite sensors have proved to be excellent for fire detection and monitoring, and good enough for burnt area data generation, as fire management operators have confirmed. It was possible to generate in time a whole catalogue of products valuable for the decision makers based on BIRD real time transmission data. Special mention has to be done to the hot spot inventory product, able to detect very small fire outbreaks in a reliable way.