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NARSTO Workshop on Innovative Methods for Emission Inventory Development and Evaluation University of Texas, Austin October 14-17, 2003 |
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Development of A Forest Fire Smoke Emission and Dispersion Model Using Real-time MODIS Data
Wei Min Hao, J. Meghan Salmon, and Bryce Nordgren
USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory
The Fire Chemistry group at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory has been conducting research into using data from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to predict and monitor emissions from forest fires nationwide. A MODIS instrument is aboard two NASA satellites: Terra and Aqua. The Fire Lab has a Direct Broadcast (DB) antenna to receive the MODIS data in real time as the satellites pass overhead. This data is used to monitor area recently burned using two methods: a preliminary near-IR spectral test being developed at NASA and the convex hull of the cumulative active fire pixel centers (hot spots) when thick smoke obscures the burn scar. Emissions from this burning can then be estimated using emission factors from previous studies conducted by our group. A NOAA model will then be used to predict the dispersion of the emissions at three-hour intervals over the next 3- or 4-day period. The Hayman fire is used as a case study to demonstrate the model. The results of this case study are compared to measurements of CO mixing ratio (ppbv) from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument. A validation of the methodology used for monitoring burned area from MODIS data in real time is also presented. This validation rests on comparison against USFS, BLM, and Canadian Forest Service fire perimeters from several major fire events in the U.S. and Canada in 2001 and 2002.