1. Use of Remote Sensing Data for Delineation of Wildland Fire Effects
Presented by: Jason Adams
Spatial Database Administrator
Yukon Wildland Fire Management

2. Overview Background Information Platforms Utilized
Methodologies Employed
Conclusions

3. Remote Sensing Platforms
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)
LandSAT TM/ETM (Thematic Mapper)
SPOT Image
QuickBird
Airborne GPS

4. Background Information
Hotspot Detections are processed into polygons.
MODIS Hotspot Fire Detections

5. Background Information
False colour MODIS image Fall 2004
LandSAT TM Bands very similar
250m Resolution False colour imagery is available in Near Real Time for Heads Up Digitizing

6. Background Information
Red = Band 7 (mid-IR)
Green = Band 4 (near-IR)
Blue = Band 3 (visual red)
Post Season LandSAT TM Data is used for the bulk of Fire Effects Mapping.
Inset shows band reflectance differences between unburned and burned forests. Infrared response is key to mapping.

7. MODIS Platform
There are two main products of the MODIS program employed by WFM.
Hotspot data (Thermal)
False colour imagery (Reflected Infrared)

8. MODIS Platform

9. Using MODIS Hotspot Data

10. Using MODIS Hotspot Data

11. Using MODIS Hotspot Data
Classic Geoprocessing
Back-Buffer points
Hotspot points
Buffer points

12. Using MODIS Hotspot Data

13. Using MODIS Hotspot Data
Map Display

14. SPOT Image 10m SPOT Imagery
Black indicates burn area, red indicates healthy vegetation (Similar to IR Photo)
Heads up digitized on tablet PC running ArcMap

15. Quickbird
In 2007 this image was acquired along the Dempster Highway and contained part of a 2007 fire.
Testing phase for uses in delineation of fire effects.

16. LandSAT TM
Overview of 2007 fire DA-11 in a LandSAT TM band combination
Detail shown at level used for Heads-up digitizing.
Scene Level View, DA-11 seen in bottom left quadrant.
Even light cloud cover is still valuable.

17. Comparison of Methods Fire BC-03-2006 MODIS Hotspot Buffer
GPS Perimeter
LandSAT Perimeter
Comparison in detail

18. Burn Severity & LandSAT

19. Burn Severity & LandSAT
Landsat Pre and Postfire Views of the Herron River Fire, DENA 2001
TM4 – TM7
NBR =
TM4 + TM7

20. Burn Severity & LandSAT
WFM has run a trial with dNBR
Some challenges are faced.
Could lead to automated fire poly generation with some GIS processing.
No field verification program, see challenges above.

21. Airborne GPS
Becoming rare for use as final mapping as cost and accuracy of hyper-spectral satellite imagery is becoming lower, soon to be free (LandSAT).
Mainly used on campaign fires where data is needed right away.
Although accuracy is “better” on GPS units then a 30m pixel LandSAT image the method of collection (flying around in a helicopter) compromises this. Picture an intoxicated individual walking a line.

22. GPS Accuracy
Three hour plot of stationary GPS, differentially corrected

23. Airborne GPS Real World example BC-03-06
Post Fire LandSAT Scene with GPS Track (blue) and RS digitized perimeter (yellow)
Comparison of GPS Track (blue) and RS digitized perimeter (black)
Post Fire LandSAT Scene with GPS Track
Pre Fire LandSAT Scene with GPS Track
Pre Fire LandSAT Scene
Post Fire LandSAT Scene

24. Methodologies
Primary method of fire effects (perimeter) data capture is via digitizing hyperspectral imagery on tablet PC.
Secondary method is GPS capture
Future methods to use hyperspectral data and dNBR, this will give both perimeter and severity data.

25. Conclusions
Given the size of the Yukon and staffing level, Remote Sensing is the ONLY option for collection of fire data.
For present time LandSAT is perfectly adequate, SPOT shows a gain is precision but would be cost prohibitive.
Quickbird is interesting however would probably be only used for WUI or large scale mapping of culturally/ecologically significant targets

26. Haeckel Hill Fire, Whitehorse, 1991
Thank-you
Haeckel Hill Fire, Whitehorse, 1991