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Tracking Australia’s Bushfires Using Satellite Data
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The unprecedented bushfire that raged parts of the Australian state of Victoria in February 2009 claimed a tragic loss of life and property. To accomodate the requests of the Chinese Ambassy in Australia and the Australian Cooperative Research Center for Spatial Information, CEODE extended swift assistance to Australia by offering related information from satellite remote sensing data.

The sources of these data came from two environmental monitoring satellites (HJ-1A and HJ-1B) launched by China in September 2008, which are equipted with optical sensors at 30m spatial resolution, and near infrared and thermal infrared sensors at 150 m and 300 m spatial resolutions, respectively. The satellites were repositioned to collect data, and their operation frequencies were adjusted to pass over Australia twice a day. From 8 February to 5 March, CEODE researchers processed and intepreted a total of more than 130 GB data from the optical, near infrared and thermal infrared data covering all the fire sites in southeast Australia. They rapidly monitored and analyzed such factors as fire behavior, range, tendency, and nearby residential communities, and produced five Briefings on Remote Sensing Monitoring of Australia Bush Fires the first time. In addition, a large number of high-resolution images of fire fronts and analytical results were delivered to Australia in short notice, which proved valuable for fire fighting in Victoria.

Fig.1-2-1 Briefings on remote sensing monitoring of Australia bush fires

The CEODE work in fire fighting operation was appreciated by the public and was covered by many news media, including the website of People’s Daily. The information provided important references for fire control in Australia and improve its operaton efficiency.

Fig.1-2-2 A image showing the fire sites (February 17, 2009)

Fig.1-2-3 A comparision between infrared image of fire sites.

Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth,Chinese Academy of Sciences
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