Integrating ground and satellite-based observations to determine the degree of grassland curing
Danielle Martin A B , Tao Chen A , David Nichols A , Rachel Bessell A , Susan Kidnie A and Jude Alexander A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Country Fire Authority, PO Box 701, Mount Waverley, Vic. 3149, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: danielle.martin@cfa.vic.gov.au
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24(3) 329-339 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF14029
Submitted: 12 March 2014 Accepted: 16 September 2014 Published: 26 March 2015
Abstract
In Australia, the Grassland Fire Danger Index is determined by several inputs including an essential component, the degree of grassland curing, defined as the proportion of senescent material. In the state of Victoria (south-eastern Australia), techniques used for curing assessment have included the use of ground-based observations and the use of satellite imagery. Both techniques alone have inherent limitations. An improved technique has been developed for estimating the degree of curing that entails the use of satellite observations adjusted by observations from the ground. First, a satellite model was developed, named MapVictoria, based on historical satellite and ground-based observations. Second, with use of the new (MapVictoria) satellite model, an integrated model was developed, named the Victorian Improved Satellite Curing Algorithm, combining near-real-time satellite data with weekly observations of curing from the ground. This integrated model was deployed in operations supporting accurate fire danger calculations for grasslands in Victoria in 2013.
Additional keywords: grassland fire danger, MODIS, Victoria.
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