Application and research progress of fire monitoring using satellite remote sensing

Abstract

Satellite remote sensing plays an important role in natural disaster management and response. Fire remote sensing is highly needed with the frequent occurrence of fire disasters. In this study, the demands of fire monitoring from volcanoes, environment, climate, and fire disasters were analyzed, and the needs of industrial users of fire monitoring in China were investigated under different temporal and spatial resolutions. This study aimed to introduce the principles, methods, and applications of fire remote sensing for providing insights into its effective use for remote sensing users and researchers. This study analyzed the application fields and the needs of different users. Satellite data sources were listed on the basis of sensor spectral characteristics and satellite orbit styles. Physical principles and retrieval methods were classified and introduced followed by their developments. The effects and abilities of fire remote sensing were investigated on the basis of the 2019 spring fire disasters in China. The satellite data sources used for fire remote sensing monitoring were summarized, and their characteristics were analyzed. Thermal infrared bands, which are sensitive, are important spectral bands. Satellite orbit is an essential factor that affects fire remote sensing ability. The research progress, advantages, and disadvantages of current fire remote sensing methods were reviewed through the analysis of the physical principles and methods of fire remote sensing. The information supporting ability of fire remote sensing was discussed on the basis of three stages, namely, before, during, and after the fire disaster. Fire remote sensing should be combined with ground-based and other methods to detect the occurrence of a fire disaster. An increasing number of satellites have been launched in the past few years, and fire remote sensing technology has accelerated with many functions and good accuracy. Fire remote sensing contributes in different steps of a fire disaster but cannot detect its occurrence. A national platform of fire remote sensing with multisatellite data and standard service interface should be developed for China.