Infrared detection of active fires and burnt areas: theory and observations

We have investigated the problem of fire recognition and management using hyperspectral images remotely sensed by the multispectral infrared and visible imaging spectrometer (MIVIS). Twenty near infrared bands (between 1.99 and 2.48 μm) and ten thermal infrared (between 8.2 and 12.7 μm) MIVIS bands have been utilised. The main problems addressed in this work are the fire-front and burned-area recognition and the extraction of information useful for the management of the burned area. The paper shows data gathered by the sensor MIVIS over the fire, the data processing result and is completed with a brief theoretical discussion of the involved topics. Some hints are given about the diagnostic capabilities of other hyperspectral devices.